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A rose is one of the most beautiful flowers you can make from clay. It is also the easiest, since a realistic one can be achieved using just a single clay color. Making one is relatively simple, but it requires technique and finesse. Whether you're making a gift for your crush or simply decorating a room, use the following to ensure that your rose is both sturdy and stunning.

Part 1
Part 1 of 4:

Choosing Clay

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  1. This is the most widely-available polymer clay and the most popular among clay artists.
    • Fimo comes in 58g (2 ounces) and 350g (12.5 ounces) packages. It is the stiffest of the clays and the most difficult to condition.[1]
    • Fimo's firmness lets it hold very fine detail, and smearing is rare. This is important to consider if you plan on painting your rose after crafting it.
    • When fired, Fimo is very strong. It has a slightly glossy surface. It also buffs well and develops a high shine.
    • This brand of clay also comes in a beautiful selection of colors, including two transparent clays, six "stone" textured clays, a glow-in-the-dark clay, and metallic colored clay ("perglantz"). There is also a soft formulation of Fimo that comes in a different selection of colors.
  2. clay. This is another strong type of clay - ideal for making a rose - but is slowly becoming hard to acquire because it is being phased out by Premo Sculpey clay.
    • Promat is firmer than texture than Premo (its common substitute). It is harder to condition but less prone to smearing and stronger when fired. It is also flexible in thin sheets, which is optimal for when you craft the rose petals.
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  3. Cernit is the strongest of the polymer clays.
    • Cernit has a porcelain, waxy finish when fired and is often used for doll-making because of its high quality when fired.
    • Though Cernit is the strongest of the clays, it is not as difficult to condition as Fimo. If you have delicate hands, choose Cernit over Fimo to go easy on your hands while still ensuring sturdiness.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 4:

Crafting your Clay Rose

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Clay Rose
    For a better finished product, choose one as close to the color red as possible.
    • If you're going for texture, Fimo and Cernit are your best options because of their refined finish after being fired. If you're going for color, Fimo has the wider range of colors and may produce the best contrast when crafting your rose.
    • Light pink is also a nice color. When you attach the calyx, or the green outer whorl of the flower, the contrast between colors will make your rose pop with contrast.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Clay Rose
    This is known as conditioning, and it is necessary for making the clay ready to work with.
    • The physical process of stretching and compressing, combined with the warmth of your hands, changes the texture of the clay, making it softer and more pliable.[2] It also makes the clay stickier and less brittle, which is ideal when making thin sheets for the petals.
    • Take a chunk of clay (about a half an ounce or so) and squish it between your fingers. As it warms and softens, roll it between your palms into a snake shape. Then move your hands against each other in a circular motion to compress the snake back into ball. Repeat this process several times until the clay is soft and easily molded.
    • For stubborn clay like Fimo, there are techniques for speeding up the conditioning process. Sit on the clay for 15-20 minutes to mildly warm it. Do not lay it in the sun or on a heating pad, as excessive heat will cause the clay to start curing, making it unusable. You can also use a food processor to chop the clay into smaller pieces to condition.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Clay Rose
    Further divide this ball into seven even pieces, as these will be used to form your petals.[3]
    • The pieces should be about the same size, but they don't need to be exact. Having different sized petals will actually make your rose look realistic and natural.
    • For a 2 inch (5.1 cm) wide rose, roll your clay into a 1 inch (2.5 cm) ball.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Clay Rose
    This will become your first rose petal.
    • Roll the clay ball first to make it as smooth as possible. You want few visible lines on the surface of your petal.
    • The size and shape of this petal should be similar to a standard guitar pick.
    • The point, which will become the base of the rose, should be thicker than the opposite edge, which will be the top of the petal. The top edge should be about 1/16 of an inch thick.[3]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Clay Rose
    Hold the petal with the thick point down and use the other hand to gently fold the sides in on themselves.
    • The edges of the rosebud should overlap a little.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Clay Rose
    The top edge should also be slightly thinner.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Clay Rose
    The petal should be facing the bud, not attached to the smooth back end.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Clay Rose
    They should also be thinner than the second petal.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Clay Rose
    This should offset it so that the three petals form a spiral when you look at the rose from above.
    • Gently roll the edge of the third petal outward, using the tip of your finger. The edge of the petal should curl downward a bit and should stick up a little past the second petal.
  10. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Clay Rose
    Be sure to maintain the even, spiral design that you established in the previous step.
    • Also roll the edge of this petal outward, making sure that it sticks up past the third petal.
  11. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Clay Rose
    These petals can be the same size as each other but should still be larger than the third and fourth.
    • The edges of these petals should be paper thin.
  12. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Clay Rose
    Be sure to evenly distribute the petals so that it retains its symmetrical shape and spiral design.
    • Gently roll the top of the edge back after attaching each petal. For a wider, more "bloomed" flower look, curl the whole petal back. For a more bud-like look, curl just the very edge.
  13. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Clay Rose
    This will help meld the petals together.
    • Hold the rose gently and use a knife or needle to cut off some of the base, making the bottom of the rose flat. This will make attaching the calyx easier.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 4:

Firing your Clay Rose

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  1. Set the oven temperature so that it is above 210 °F (99 °C) but below 300 °F (149 °C).
    • Heating causes chemical changes in the clay, making it hard and strong. Polymer clays, like the ones used for clay rose, don't require a special kiln and can harden normally in a standard kitchen oven.
    • The oven temperature must reach at least 210 °F (99 °C) for the polymer to fuse properly; however, if the temperature goes above 300 °F (149 °C), the clay may burn, giving off dangerous fumes.[5]
    • Most manufacturers recommend temperatures between 250 and 275 degrees Fahrenheit for all clays that are not translucent. If you are using translucent clay, keep the temperature between 210 and 220 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid changing its color[6]
  2. Let it cool so that you can safely and easily attach the calyx after molding it.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Clay Rose
    This will become the calyx, or the leafy outer portion, of your clay rose.
    • The calyx should have 6-8 points and should be about 1/16th of an inch thick. Pinch the edges of each segment gently to make them thinner.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Clay Rose
    Press it firmly to make sure there is good contact between the rose and calyx.
    • Don't worry if the calyx doesn't perfectly stick to the rose. Re-firing the rose with a fresh piece of clay will create a strong bond and secure the attachment.
  5. Use the same temperature and baking time as before.
    • Once your rose is completely done baking, let it cool for a few hours before applying paint or other decorations.
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Part 4
Part 4 of 4:

Using your Clay Rose

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  1. You can re-fire clay as many times as you'd like, offering a wide variety of decoration opportunities for your clay rose.
    • Make a box out of strong clay and carefully attach several clay roses to the top. Attaching fired roses is ideal since joining two soft clay items can be difficult and can distort the shape. After you've successfully attached the items, fire it in the oven using the same temperature and bake time as the clay rose. Your box is now both practical and pleasant.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Clay Rose
    Make a refrigerator magnet. Use a clay rose magnet to hold up a nice family photo or flaunt a stellar report card.
    • Simply attach a cluster of roses to a plain oval plate of clay. You can either join the two separately fired items using super glue, or you can use the fresh clay/fired clay re-fire method outlined above.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Clay Rose
    Before you re-fire your clay rose, use a needle to make a hole in the calyx.
    • Hang the rose on a jump ring to make a clay rose earring. Run a necklace through the calyx hole and use the rose as a pendant. Or, you can put a hair clip through the calyx hole and use it as a fancy hair clip.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I make a daisy out of clay?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Roll a small amount of clay into a worm; this is the stem. Attach a tiny lump as the center of your flower, and add petals by smoothing some oval-shaped clay onto the center.
  • Question
    What type of clay would you recommend?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Any type of polymer clay.
  • Question
    Can I use air dry clay?
    Elizabeth Bolster
    Elizabeth Bolster
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can use air dry clay, but you might have to work fast so it doesn't dry before you are done.
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Tips

  • Before you attach the stem, pinch the bottom with your fingers to make the bottom of a rose.
  • A stemless method can be produced by rolling out the clay for the flower, but not adding a stem. Stemless roses can be attached directly to art, craft, decorative, etc., projects.
  • 'Scratching And Slipping' means to make hatch marks in some clay, wetting it, doing it to another piece, and sticking them together using light force.
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Warnings

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About This Article

Natasha Dikareva, MFA
Co-authored by:
Ceramics & Sculpting Instructor
This article was co-authored by Natasha Dikareva, MFA. Natasha Dikareva is a San Francisco, California based sculptor, and installation artist. With over 25 years of ceramics, sculpting, and installation experience, Natasha also teaches a ceramic sculpture workshop titled "Adventures in Clay" covering concept development, hand-building techniques, texture, and glazing techniques. Her work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions at the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts, Abrams Claghorn Gallery, Bloomington Center for the Arts, Maria Kravetz Gallery, and the American Museum of Ceramic Art. She has taught at the University of Minnesota and the American Indian OIC School. She has been awarded the Excellence Award at the 1st World Teapot Competition, Best in Show at the 4th Clay & Glass Biennial Competition, and a Grand Prize at the American Museum of Ceramic Art. Natasha holds an MFA from the University of Minnesota and a BFA from Kiev Fine Arts College. This article has been viewed 135,480 times.
1 votes - 20%
Co-authors: 41
Updated: January 25, 2023
Views: 135,480
Categories: Clay Projects | Rose Crafts
Article SummaryX

To make a clay rose, start by rolling a chunk of clay into a ball, dividing the ball into seven similarly-sized pieces, and rolling those pieces into balls. Take the smallest ball and press it into a guitar-pick-shaped “petal” with the pointy part thicker than the rounded part, then fold the sides gently inward. Repeat with a slightly bigger ball of clay, then fold this second petal around the first. Continue attaching slightly larger petals in a spiral, then pinch the bottom of your rose to connect all the petals. To learn more tips, like how to choose the best clay for your rose, keep reading!

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