Clay Decoration: How to Make your Own Chain Link

Let me show you how to make your very own chain link clay decoration using Model Magic Air Dry Clay from the craft section!

This clay decoration is as easy to make as it is to play with playdough. All you need is some air drying clay, hot glue and twine to make this super cute DIY clay decoration to add to your space! You know my DIY spirit runs deep, so when I started seeing these cool chain link decorations pop up in my favorite home décor stores like Target and Home Goods, I just knew I needed to come up with a DIY solution! Especially since the link I wanted ended up being $60 at West Elm. I just couldn’t justify that purchase! So, here we are! Let’s make our very own clay chain link!

This post is all about how to make your own chain link clay decoration!

Pin Chain Link Clay Decoration For Later

Materials for this Chain Link Clay Decoration

• Air Drying Clay – I used 2 packets of Crayola’s Model Magic in white
• Hot Glue – This glue gun is cordless!
• Jute Twine

How to Make your Own Chain Link Clay Decoration

As you can see in my photos, I created a two piece chain link, but feel free to make yours longer. Create smaller links or use more clay to make a chain link as long you wish!

1. Rollout the Air Clay

Remove the clay from the package(s) and start warming it up by kneading the clay and eventually forming it into a ball. I used one package of clay per chain link and kept the clay separate, but you can always divide them once the clay is “warmed up”.

Once you have two balls of clay, start rolling out one of the balls of clay as you would a piece of playdough until it stretches out to be about 12-16 inches long. You want it to be long enough to create a link and for both links to be the same size. Repeat these steps with the second ball of clay.

Inspect the clay for any cracking or seams you don’t like the look of and smooth them out as you see fit. Sometimes pinching these areas and then rubbing them smooth helps eliminate cracks. My links have a few cracks, but I think it helps add character.

2. Create 2 Separate Chain Links

Once you have two identical tube-like shapes of clay, start forming them into an oval chain link shape. Only connect the ends on one of the links for now. In other words, create one closed chain link and one open link. Both of mine look closed in the picture, but one is slightly open. You want to do this so you can connect the open link to the closed after some dry time.

To keep the links from drying together, allow the two links to dry separately for a while.

3. Allow the Links to Dry about 50% before Connecting the Links Together

Once the links have dried a few hours and they’re not as pliable, go ahead and attach the two links together. The open link can be closed now by connecting the ends. If they don’t stick, add some hot glue. Allow the piece to dry completely before next step. The packaging says the clay is completely dry after 72 hours.

4. Glue on Twine to Cover Seams of Each Chain Link

As soon as your links are completely dry you can cover the seams with twine. Start by warming up your hot glue gun and running a bead of hot glue perpendicular to the seam (as you can see in my photo above). Then you will start wrapping the twine around the link until the hot glue and seam is covered by the twine. I prefer starting and stopping the twine on the inside of the link to keep the ends of the twine hidden.

5. Display Your Clay Decoration Chain Link for all to see!

These chain links look great paired with coffee table books or even a few of my custom DIY stamped books! If you don’t want to spend the money on legit design books, try finding books at your local thrift shop in colors that work with your home vibe or style. You can remove the book jacket to make them look like legitimate coffee table design books for way cheaper than it is to buy them!

Want some more DIY Decor Inspiration!?

Share your Clay Decoration

As always, thank you for following along with me in my creative journey. Be sure to tag me and use #meagannicholedotcom when sharing your DIY chain link! Thanks for stopping by MeaganNichole.com

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