This is a step-by-step photo tutorial which will show you how to make a DIY polymer clay drawer knob (or cupboard door knob, etc…)
From this…
…to this:
…or this:
…or this:
Sometimes drawer knobs get loose or keep falling off, so need fixing or replacing. And sometimes cupboard door knobs are just boooooring. Here is the antidote! It is so simple to make your own doorknobs to match other items in your rooms, add a zap of colour, or just to fix or replace a missing drawer knob. These bespoke, handmade knobs can really transform the whole look of a room. And the only ‘proper’ tool you need is a screwdriver…
You will need:
Tools
- Wood screw
- Rawl plug approx 2cm (3/4 inch) long
- Screwdriver
- Acrylic roller
Optional:
- Tile or baking tray to bake the piece on
Polymer clay
(The quantities below are approximate. You might need slightly more or less of each colour. Also, choose your own colours! I just happened to have these colours around, but maybe you have some clay that you want to use up, or maybe you have some favourite colours that you prefer to my examples…)
- Scrap clay equivalent to half a standard-sized block (approx. 28g or 1oz)
- White clay (about the size of a small grape)
- Blue clay (about the size of a small grape)
Step 0) Condition the clay
As always, you should condition the clay before you start to work with it. (Read this post to find out how (and why) to condition polymer clay.)
1) Roll the scrap clay into a ball.
2) Roll the white and blue clays into long thin snakes.
3) Twist the two snakes together.
4) Fold the twisted snakes in half.
5. Roll the stripey snake out longer.
6) Twist the snake again.
7) Fold snake in half again.
8) Roll out again.
9) Keep repeating the last three steps (twist, fold, roll out) until the clay has a swirly, marbled pattern.
10) Fold the marbled snake in half.
11) Fold in half again.
12) Twist the piece of clay.
13) Roll the marbled clay flat.
14) Keep rolling the marbled clay until it is big enough to cover the ball of scrap clay.
15) Cover the scrap clay with the sheet of marbled clay
16) Roll the clay back into a ball.
17) Pinch the ball into a teardrop shape.
18) Push the rawl plug into the pinched end of the ball.
19) Bake the drawer knob as per clay manufacturer’s instructions (with the rawl plug on the bottom).
Finished piece:
I hope you found this tutorial useful. Have you tried it? How did it go? Let me know on Twitter (@PolymerKay) or Pinterest (PolymerKay) or via the comments or Contact Us page.