DIY Baby Clay Handprint Keepsake

March 21, 2019 separator DIY Tutorial

Learn how to make a baby clay handprint keepsake frame or ornament. It’s the perfect newborn craft or Mother’s Day gift ideas!

DIY Baby Handprint Keepsake Ornament or Frame

In the early days with Cricket, I thought I’d have so much time to make fun projects with her.

Maternity leave, right? 

Yeah, not so much.

She didn’t nap. Like, almost at all. So I got the benefit of spending so many beautiful moments with her. But I also learned to ask for help from Andrei.

This baby clay hand print keepsake is the perfect project to make with your family or friends because you’ll need an extra hand.* 

*Sorry, I couldn’t resist. 

DIY Baby Handprint Keepsake Ornament or Frame

You don’t need a special baby clay handprint kit for this project, so it’s perfect for parents of newborns! 

With a little tweaking and modification, you could even make a clay handprint bowl, which would be such an amazing Mother’s Day gift idea!

DIY Baby Handprint Keepsake Frame

The Spring Make It Challenge

If you’re thinking about making clay projects, you’re in luck. 

This tutorial is part of the spring Make It Challenge, hosted by Spatial Dwelling and ctrl + curate. I’ve teamed up with some of my favorite DIY bloggers to share different tutorials with the same material: clay. 

Want to join in?

Share your latest clay projects on Instagram with #makeitchallenge for a chance to be featured on the @makeitchallengecommunity feed.

Clay Baby Handprint Art KeepsakeCollage of Modern DIY Clay Projects

Here are the other participating bloggers, so go check them out!

DIY Baby Hand Print Keepsake FrameSupplies for an air dry clay on a silicone baking mat to make a diy baby clay handprint keepsake frame

Supplies

Instructions for How to Make Clay Handprints

Clear rolling pin on air dry clay on a silicone baking mat to make a diy baby clay handprint keepsake frame

1. Roll out your air dry clay to a 1/4″ thickness. 

Tip: Roll out the clay on parchment paper or a silicone mat to avoid any sticking when you eventually peel it off. 

Father holding baby's arm over air dry clay on a silicone baking mat to make a diy baby clay handprint keepsake frame

2. Press a hand into the clay gently and evenly. Lift it off evenly. 

Air dry clay with infant hand print on a silicone baking mat to make a diy baby clay handprint keepsake frame

Tip: Whether you’re making a hand print for a baby or an older child, it’s probably best to have an adult helper assist with hand placement so that the child doesn’t press too hard and smash through the clay. 

Air dry clay on a silicone baking mat to make a diy baby clay handprint keepsake frame

3. Cut around the handprint using a straight edge or knife and a ruler or rectangle as a template. 

Air dry clay on a silicone baking mat to make a diy baby clay handprint keepsake frame

4. Roll out a scrap of air dry clay to a 1/8″ thickness.

5. Cut a long, thin rectangle, and set aside the scraps. 

Alphabet stamps on air dry clay on a silicone baking mat to make a diy baby clay handprint keepsake frame

6. Gently press alphabet stamps into the clay to spell out a name, date, or a cute memory. 

Air dry clay on a silicone baking mat to make a diy baby clay handprint keepsake frame

7. Slowly, carefully bend the rectangle into a banner shape. 

8. Set both clay pieces aside to dry completely overnight. 

Letters stamped on banner on air dry clay on a silicone baking mat to make a diy baby clay handprint keepsake frame

9. Use a thin paintbrush to fill in the letters. Wipe away any surface paint with a damp paper towel or lint-free cloth. 

Tip: Dilute acrylic paint with water for a watercolor effect. 

Copper hand print in air dry clay on a silicone baking mat to make a diy baby clay handprint keepsake frame

10. Use a dry paint brush to rub the Metallic Lustre into the hand print to help it stand out. 

11. Glue the banner to the handprint panel and the handprint panel to the shadow box background. 

Tip: Let it dry overnight before assembling the shadowbox frame, or it could slide apart. 

15 comments

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  3. thank you so much for this detailed article. I am going to do my little boys impressions for the first time. Where did you get the alphabet stamps? thanks

    1. Good question! I used E6000. A small tube is shown in the last photo, and I’ll be sure to add it to the supply list. Would love to see how yours turns out!

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