Bring handmade charm to a cozy corner with this air dry clay wall hanging, featuring a sleepy cream cloud, five pastel raindrops, and delicate gold stars.
If you’ve been looking for air dry clay projects that feel both playful and decorative, this is a sweet one to try. You’ll learn how to roll and cut clay, make holes for hanging, paint tiny details, and assemble your finished pieces.
What Is Air Dry Clay?
Air dry clay is a modeling material that hardens naturally when exposed to air. Unlike traditional ceramic clay, it doesn’t require a kiln, oven, or high-temperature firing to become solid.
It’s especially popular for DIY crafts because it’s affordable, easy to shape, and suitable for a wide variety of creative projects. You can use it to make decorative objects, jewelry, small sculptures, ornaments, wall hangings, and much more.
Most air dry clay is water-based, which means you can soften it with a little water while working. Once your creation is finished, you simply leave it to dry naturally.
There are different types of air dry clay, including white, terracotta, and colored varieties. For this cloud wall hanging, white air dry clay is a great choice because you can paint the finished pieces in any colors you like.
A few things to know about air dry clay:
- It doesn’t require baking or kiln firing.
- It can be shaped using your hands and simple household tools.
- It dries naturally, usually within 24–72 hours, depending on thickness, humidity, and the clay brand.
- It can be painted once completely dry.
- It is generally porous and not waterproof, so finished pieces need protection from moisture.
- It may shrink slightly as it dries, so allow enough space around holes and delicate details.
If you’re new to this material, take a look at my guide to 25 Air Dry Clay Tips and Tricks Every Beginner Should Know for helpful advice before getting started.
Project Overview
The measurements below are suggested proportions for recreating the look of the pictured hanging, rather than measurements taken from the original.
- Skill level: Beginner-friendly, with a little patience for painting and knotting.
- Suggested cloud size: Approximately 14 cm wide and 8–9 cm tall.
- Suggested raindrop size: Approximately 3–4 cm tall.
- Number of raindrops: Five.
- Suggested clay thickness: About 6–8 mm for the cloud and around 6 mm for the raindrops, unless your clay manufacturer recommends otherwise.
- Working time: Plan for two crafting sessions—one for shaping and another for painting and assembly—with drying time between them.
Allow several days overall rather than trying to finish everything in one afternoon. Air dry clay generally becomes touch-dry in about 24 hours and fully dry in around 72 hours, with timing affected by the environment and size of the piece.
Follow the timing for your chosen product rather than relying on the surface feeling dry.
Materials Needed
Clay and shaping supplies
- Approximately 300–500 g of white air dry clay, allowing extra for scraps and practice
- A smooth work surface or silicone craft mat
- A small rolling pin or acrylic roller
- Rolling guides or two equal-thickness craft sticks
- Paper, pencil, and scissors for a cloud template
- A craft knife or clay cutting tool
- A small round cutter or drinking straw for the hanging holes
- A skewer or needle tool for the raindrop holes
- A small dish of water
- A smooth drying board lined with baking parchment
- Optional fine-grit sandpaper
Painting supplies
- Acrylic paints in ivory, pastel pink, and pastel blue
- Black or dark brown paint for the face
- Gold paint for stars and dots
- A small flat brush
- A fine detail brush
- A paint palette
- A compatible acrylic varnish, preferably matte or satin
Acrylic paint is suitable for thoroughly dried air dry clay. Is is recommend to test acrylic varnish for compatibility before applying it to a finished piece. Check equivalent guidance for your chosen clay and finish.
- Thin, strong craft cord or cotton cord
- Scissors
- Optional wooden beads
- A suitable wall hook
- Optional clear-drying craft glue compatible with the cord, for securing knot tails
Choose the cord before making the holes so you can check that it fits comfortably.
How to Work With Air Dry Clay
A little preparation makes the shaping stage much easier.
Keep unused clay covered
Take out only what you need and keep the remaining clay tightly wrapped inside an airtight container. This helps preserve its workable consistency while you shape the other pieces.
Use water sparingly
If the clay feels slightly dry, dampen your fingertips and knead it gently. Avoid pouring water onto the clay: too much can make it soft and sludgy rather than easier to handle.
Smooth joins before the clay dries
This design uses a single cut-out cloud, so there are no separate cloud lobes to attach. If you add raised decorations, lightly score both joining surfaces, add a little water, and press them together carefully.
For additional preparation advice, read 6 Air Dry Clay Mistakes Beginners Make (and How to Fix Them).
Step-by-Step Cloud Wall Hanging Tutorial
Step 1: Draw your cloud template
Draw a cloud approximately 14 cm wide, with a large rounded bump at the top and smaller rounded bumps along the sides and lower edge.
Keep the outline soft and simple. Avoid deep, narrow notches between the bumps.
Cut out the paper template. Mark:
- Two suspension holes near the top, one on either side of the central bump.
- Three lower attachment holes: left, center, and right.
This arrangement lets you hang two raindrops from each outer hole and one from the middle, recreating the five-drop arrangement in the reference.
Step 2: Knead and roll the clay
Knead a portion of clay until it feels evenly workable.
Place it between your rolling guides and roll it into an even slab approximately 6–8 mm thick, subject to your product’s guidance. Make the slab slightly larger than the paper template.
Lift and reposition the slab gently as needed so it doesn’t become firmly stuck to the work surface.
Step 3: Cut out the cloud
Place the template on the clay and cut around it with your clay tool.
Remove the surrounding scraps and return them to the airtight container. Smooth the cut edges with a barely damp fingertip, keeping the cloud’s rounded outline.
Try to smooth imperfections now rather than leaving extensive sanding for later.
Step 4: Make the cloud’s hanging holes
Use a small round cutter or straw to create the two upper suspension holes and three lower attachment holes.
As a suggested layout:
- Leave roughly 10–12 mm of clay between each hole and the nearest outer edge.
- Keep the two upper holes balanced around the center.
- Space the lower holes across the left, middle, and right portions of the cloud.
Make the holes comfortably larger than your cord, and keep the surrounding clay intact. Remove any plugs or rough fragments from the openings.
Step 5: Shape five raindrops
Roll five small portions of clay into smooth balls.
For each one:
- Roll one end gently into a short point.
- Keep the opposite end rounded.
- Flatten it lightly into a plump teardrop.
- Smooth the sides without making the pointed tip too thin.
- Pierce a hole through the front and back near the top, below the tip.
A flat-backed raindrop is easier to paint and arrange than a fully rounded bead. Make the drops similar in size, but don’t worry about making them perfectly identical.
Step 6: Dry all the pieces thoroughly
Place the cloud and raindrops flat on the lined drying board, leaving space between them.
Once the pieces are firm enough to lift without bending, gently turn them to expose the undersides. Keep the cloud supported as you move it.
Follow the clay manufacturer’s instructions and let the pieces dry fully before painting. Clay may feel dry after 24 hours but take around 72 hours to dry completely, depending on the clay, conditions, and thickness.
Do not improvise oven or microwave drying; use only methods explicitly permitted by your product’s instructions.
Step 7: Refine the edges
Check the cloud outline, raindrop edges, and hanging holes.
If your clay permits sanding, lightly smooth small rough areas with fine-grit sandpaper. Follow the product’s dust precautions, work away from children, and wipe away residue before painting.
Leave pieces with significant cracks around the hanging holes out of the finished hanging; remake those parts rather than relying on paint to disguise the damage.
Step 8: Paint the base colors
Paint the cloud a warm ivory or cream.
For the raindrops, try:
- Two pastel blue drops
- Two pale pink drops
- One ivory drop
Paint the fronts and edges first. Let them dry according to the paint instructions, then turn them over and paint the backs.
Use thin coats so paint doesn’t collect inside the hanging holes. Acrylic paint can be used on thoroughly dried air dry clay when compatible with the product.
Step 9: Add the sleepy cloud face
Lightly sketch the face in pencil first if that helps you place the details.
With a fine brush:
- Paint two gently curved lines for closed eyes.
- Add two or three tiny lashes to each eye.
- Paint a small curved smile between the eyes.
- Add soft pink cheeks.
Keep the face centered in the lower-middle area, leaving room for gold details around it.
To soften the cheeks, dab most of the pink paint off your brush before touching it to the cloud.
Step 10: Add gold stars and raindrop details
Paint a few small gold stars and dots across the cloud.
For a look similar to the reference, place one larger star toward the upper right and smaller accents around the outer edges. Add tiny gold dots or short dashes to the raindrops.
Keep the center of the cloud relatively uncluttered so the sleepy expression remains the focal point.
Step 11: Apply a compatible protective finish
Once the paint has dried for the time specified on its label, test your varnish on a spare painted clay scrap.
If compatible, apply thin coats according to the varnish directions, covering the fronts, backs, and edges without blocking the holes. Allow the finish to dry fully before assembly.
Varnish does not make ordinary air dry clay waterproof. The finished wall hanging still belongs indoors, away from water and outdoor exposure.
Step 12: Arrange the raindrops before tying
Place the cloud on a clean surface and arrange the five drops underneath it.
Try this suggested layout:
- Left attachment hole: a blue drop on a shorter cord and a pink drop on a longer cord.
- Center attachment hole: a blue drop on the longest cord.
- Right attachment hole: a pink drop on a shorter cord and an ivory drop on a longer cord.
Stagger the lengths so every drop is visible. Leave a little space between neighboring pieces rather than allowing them to overlap.
Step 13: Tie the raindrops to the cloud
Cut five lengths of cord, each longer than the finished hanging length you want.
For each raindrop:
- Pass the cord through its hole.
- Tie a secure knot or small loop without pulling tightly against the clay.
- Pass the upper end through the appropriate lower cloud hole.
- Adjust the length.
- Tie securely and leave a short tail.
The two outer holes each hold two separate cords; the center hole holds one.
Check every knot while the hanging is still lying flat. If using glue on knot tails, apply it sparingly and let it dry fully before lifting the piece.
Step 14: Add the top hanging loop
Thread a separate cord through the two upper holes to form a balanced hanging loop.
Add a wooden bead if you like, then secure the cord. Lift the hanging over a soft surface and check that the cloud sits level.
Make any final cord adjustments before trimming excess tails.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
- Clay feels too sticky: Stop adding water. Excess water can make air dry clay overly soft and difficult to shape.
- Pieces are still soft underneath: Give them more time. Drying depends on the product, conditions, and thickness—not simply how dry the top looks.
- Paint is going on too soon: Wait for full drying rather than painting after the touch-dry stage.
- Hanging holes are crowded: Use thinner cord or remake the affected component with larger holes; don’t force a thick knot through a fragile opening.
- A hole has cracked: Remake that piece before hanging it.
- The cloud hangs crooked: Adjust the upper loop and dangling cord lengths while supporting the cloud on a flat surface.
Displaying and Caring for Your Finished Hanging
Hang the finished piece securely in a dry indoor location. Avoid bathrooms, outdoor walls, and places where it may be splashed; sealing does not waterproof air dry clay.
Treat this as decorative wall art, not a toy or cot mobile. Keep the cords, beads, and breakable clay pieces out of children’s reach, and do not hang it above a cot, bed, or changing area.
With its sleepy expression and pastel raindrops, this cloud is a charming addition to your collection of DIY air dry clay crafts—and a satisfying way to practice shaping, painting, and assembling a handmade decoration.
Explore more Air Dry Clay Projects for Bedroom Decor with an easy step-by-step tutorial.
Still looking for more inspiration? Explore these:
➡️ 20 Cute Things to Make With Air-Dry Clay
➡️ 20 Whimsical DIY Air Dry Clay Miniature Fairy Houses
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