DIY: How to Make Flower Frogs Using Air-Dry Clay

Joining Mary Ann and Cindy for Sunday favorites and today it’s all about spring flowers!

Even if you do not consider yourself a crafty person, you may want to make these easy DIY flower frogs using air-dry clay. Most of us love fresh flowers, right? I think we can make that assumption. And flower frogs are an excellent way to display a touch of nature. In the spring, there are snowdrops, crocus, pansies, and daffodils, but often not enough to fill a jar or vase. This is where DIY air-dry clay flower frogs come in. 

Why make and use clay flower frogs?

Flower frogs can be useful when you have only a few stems or the stems are delicate and you want to hold the flowers upright. Flower arranging with a bunch of flowers is easy. You just put them into a jar or vase. But when you have only a few garden flowers, a flower frog can be useful. 

Making a simple flower frog is a fun DIY project that doesn’t take a lot of time or skill. It would be a fun project to do with some friends for a craft party or with children. I would say kids from about the age of four could get in on the action with a bit of assistance. It’s an easy project that is not too messy! And when you’re done you can add a personal touch with paint or leave as is. 

The supplies you will need to make DIY air-dry clay flower frogs

• Air-dry clay – I use DAS air-dry clay that comes in white, cement gray, and terracotta. I haven’t experimented with other brands, but have never been disappointed with DAS. It’s inexpensive and if you store any excess clay in a tight plastic bag, it can be kept for months until your next project. Available at your local craft store or on Amazon.
• Rolling pin (or you could use a smooth glass to roll out the clay)
• A plastic straw that’s large enough to make holes that will hold fresh flower stems.
• Round cookie cutters with scalloped or fluted edge.
• Baking sheet lined with a piece of parchment paper or silicone mat.
• A clear acrylic sealer like Varathane or you could use Mod Podge for a waterproof glaze. 
• Small glass jars in various sizes. Anything from a baby food jar, mustard jar, jam jar, or mason jar will work.
• Cut flowers

The best places to find jars

I save jars so I always seem to have a stash of them I can use for projects like this, but if you don’t have any or need several, try thrift stores, flea markets, or antique shops.

Simple steps to making DIY clay flower frogs

1. The first thing you will do is roll out your air dry clay on a flat surface. (I use my marble kitchen counters, and the clay washes up with soap and water, just like making cookies.)
2.  You want the clay to be about 1/4 inch thickness to ensure it won’t be too fragile.
3. Using cookie cutters, cut our circles just like you would when making cookies. You want to use a cutter slightly larger than the mouth of the jar.
4. Using a good-sized straw poke holes in the round pieces of clay (the plastic straws available with coffee drinks at DD or Starbucks work perfectly).
5. You can experiment with making a variety of hole sizes for different types of stems, or just use all one-size stem holes like I did. 
6. Then place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in a 200º oven for about 30-45 minutes. Alternatively, you could allow the clay to air-dry for 24-48 hours. I’m not that patient, so I usually bake mine to dry the clay.
7. Fill your jars with water, and set the flower frog on top of each jar.
8. Pop in your flower stems and let the flower frog holes support your tender stems.

What I love about using flower frogs

Floral frogs of any type are useful in making beautiful flower arrangements when you don’t have an endless suplly of flowers. 

I often use chicken wire to make beautiful arrangements when I have lots of flowers like hydrangeas, roses, and dahlias. I avoid using floral foam as it is very bad for the environment. But when looking for a wonderful way to display small individual flowers like pansies, DIY clay flower frogs make the perfect choice. 

More Sunday Favorites

Dear New York, I Love You

My friend Ria’s book, Dear New York, I love You is available for preorder! It comes out on May 20th and if you don’t live in New York, you are going to want to book a trip to see first hand all the charming places she illustrates so beautifully, and with so much detail. Make sure to follow Ria on her Instagram. @coffeecakescafe.

Petite Table Lamps

If you love the Petite Como Table Lamp from Serena & Lily, you might also like this one from Birch Lane. It’s quite a bit less expensive, and exactly the same size. The shades look slightly different, but not sure if the difference in price is worth it? What do you think?

Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag

I love these lightweight crossbody bags that fit so much in them, so when I saw that it’s available in black & white gingham, I had to get one. They have it in blue & white too!

Let’s see what Mary Ann and Cindy found this week!

Classic Casual Home

Read mary Ann’s post here.

Cindy Hattersley Design

Read Cindy’s post here.