Easy Tutorial: How to Make a Polymer Clay Pen Using Scrap Clay
I’ve been using polymer clay since 2018, and one of my favorite things about it is how even the smallest scraps can turn into something fun. This DIY polymer clay pen is a simple scrap clay craft that uses tiny pieces of leftover polymer clay that might otherwise be thrown away.
This is an easy clay pen project you can make at home with very few tools. It is beginner friendly, low waste, and a fun zero waste craft idea for families, kids with adult help, rainy days, school breaks, or creative afternoons. These polymer clay pens are quick to make and fun to use as journal pens, desk pens, or colorful handmade school supplies. They also make sweet little handmade gifts.
Watch the polymer clay pen tutorial on YouTube and follow along step by step instructions below.
What You’ll Need
Scrap polymer clay left over from a project, or new polymer clay*
1 basic ballpoint pen, nothing fancy, just the kind you would use for school supplies
A tile or smooth work surface
A small blade or clay cutter
Baby oil, if your clay is dry or crumbly
Foil flakes, optional
A flat back crystal (size of a pencil eraser), optional
An oven to bake the clay pen
Parchment paper
Baking tray
How to Make a Polymer Clay Pen
Choose your clay colors
Pick 2 or 3 complementary colors of scrap polymer clay. Choosing colors that work well together helps your finished polymer clay pen look pretty instead of muddy.
Tip: You can also use special clays with inclusions, such as glitter clay, sparkle clay, or pearlescent clay. If you have foil flakes, they make a great addition to bedazzle your finished pen.
Condition the clay
Soften the clay by working it in your hands. If the clay is older or crumbly, add a tiny bit of baby oil to help bring it back together.
Cut up your clay scraps
Once the clay is soft and workable, chop your leftover polymer clay into small pieces. This is a great scrap polymer clay idea because even the smallest pieces can become something useful.
Combine the colors
Gather all the chopped clay pieces and press them into one ball. The mixed colors will create a fun marbled polymer clay effect.
Roll the clay into a log
Roll the clay ball on a tile or smooth surface until it becomes a long, thin sausage shape, about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch wide.
Slice the clay roll
Cut thin slices from the clay log. These slices will be used to make your clay covered pen.
Remove the pen cap and ink insert
Take the ink insert out of the pen casing before covering it with clay. You only want to bake the empty outside casing. no need to remove the top stopper, we will be covering this with clay and covering with a crystal.
Cover the pen casing
Place the thin clay slices around the outside of the pen casing until it is fully covered.
Smooth the clay
Gently roll the covered pen on the tile to smooth the slices together. This helps the clay become one smooth piece around the pen casing.
Add a little extra sparkle, optional
If you have crystals on hand, you can press one into the clay at the top of the pen before baking. If it is a hotfix crystal, add it before baking so it sets into the clay.
Tip: You can also glue a crystal on after the pen has baked and cooled using a E6000 glue.
Bake the pen casing
Bake on a baking tray line with parchment paper according to the directions of the polymer clay brand you are using. For reference, I bake my pens at 275F for about 20-25 mins, but check your brand of clay specifically to prevent burning. Make sure the ink insert is removed before baking.
Put the pen back together
Once the pen casing has cooled completely, add the ink insert back and you are done!
Tip: When the ink insert is old and eventually runs dry, don’t throw the art pen cover away. Simply reuse it by adding a new ink insert so you can continue using your handmade polymer clay pen for many years to come.
More Polymer Clay Pieces to Explore
If you enjoyed making this polymer clay pen, you might like seeing some of the other ways I use polymer clay in my handmade work. A simple clay pen is a great beginner project, but polymer clay can also be used for fantasy accessories, sculpted hair clips, stylus wands, fairy doors, and wearable art.
You can take a look at my Butterfly Smartphone Stylus Pen and Raven Feather Stylus if you like the idea of handmade functional pieces.
For sculpted hair accessories, explore my Polymer Clay Hair Barrettes or the Giant Silk Moth and Moon Hair Clip.
For more magical polymer clay inspiration, you can also visit my Fairy Door Collection or see how polymer clay becomes a fantasy accessory in my Mermaid Tiara.
Polymer clay is such a versatile material. Tiny scraps can become a colorful handmade pen, while larger sculpted pieces can turn into whimsical gifts, magical accessories, and one-of-a-kind handmade designs.
Want to see the process? Watch my polymer clay pen video on YouTube and follow along as I make this clay pen from scrap polymer clay. You can also share this video on Pinterest.
Have a question about using polymer clay, conditioning older clay, baking your piece, choosing colors, or working with scrap clay? Feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m happy to help you get started with your own polymer clay crafts.
*To make some interesting designs using new clay, I will show you how to make simple polymer clay canes in an upcoming series of blog posts. I will link them here when available.