How to Make Polymer Clay Hair Barrettes

This post was originally published in October 2019 and updated as of May 2023.

Hair barrettes are all the rage right now, and they lend themselves perfectly to being made with polymer clay. I’m no expert with clay, but with a little trial and error, I was able to make these fun polymer clay hair barrettes, and I can’t wait to make more!

How do you make clay barrettes?

Clay hair barrettes are surprisingly easy to make. You don’t need any fancy or expensive tools, and they come together super quickly! We love playing with different designs and shapes – the possibilities are endless!

Supplies needed to make Clay Hair Barrettes

How do you make polymer clay patterns?

There are so many ways to make beautiful and unique patterns with polymer clay. In this post we will walk you through making a marbled, terrazzo, abstract, and embossed pattern.

Watch the video (be sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel), or read the steps below!

Marbled Clay Pattern

1. Make a ball out of your primary color (white for this example). Place little pieces of your secondary color (gray) on the ball.

2. Pull and twist the colors until it looks nice and swirly.

3. Roll flat (about 1 mm).

Terrazzo/Leopard Clay Pattern

1. Roll out your primary color (gold). Roll out your secondary color (black) super thin, then use a blade to cut little geometric shapes and place on top of the primary color.

2. Roll over the top to press the secondary color into the primary color, and roll to 1 mm in thickness.

Abstract Clay Pattern

1. Divide colors (I used red, tan, pink, white, and teal) into small pieces. Then press them together into one multi-colored cluster.

2. Roll flat (about 1 mm).

How do you emboss clay?

At this point, you can add emboss class with textured designs using clay pattern stamp sheets, embossing folders or powders, or modeling tools. I’ve even seen evergreen branches pressed into clay!

How do you cut polymer clay cleanly?

Use clay cutting tools, a template and X-acto knife, or cookie cutters to cut your hair barrette shape from the clay.

TIP: It can be helpful to dust your cutters with a little cornstarch or mist the cutter with water to keep it from sticking to the clay.

How do you make polymer clay hair barrettes?

1. Carefully transfer the clay shapes to a baking sheet, and bake at 275°F, for 30 minutes per quarter inch of thickness (or per clay package directions).