Last Christmas, I set out to make air-dry clay cat magnets as gifts for my friends, but let me tell youāeverything that could go wrong, did. I got caught up in a perfectionism loop and ended up making them not once, not twice, but three times before finally realizing something important: I still didnāt like them 100%... But I learned itās better to finish something imperfectly than to not finish it at all.
The Struggle with Self-Doubt
This is also why it has taken me so long to share this project hereāIām only posting it now, in February, because I was gathering the courage to share something that didnāt turn out exactly as I wanted. It may seem sillyāafter all, theyāre just clay cat magnets, they will not change the worldābut for me, this feels like a huge step. Iāve spent nearly two decades being my own harshest critic, and it took me that long to finally get the courage to upload videos to YouTube. Iām not even showing my face, but still, sharing these moments of imperfection is a big deal for me.
I tend to be really hard on myself, often comparing my work to that of other, much more talented artists, which can feel overwhelming. Sometimes, it feels like no matter how hard I try, my work will never measure up. But I'm learning that other people's art should never discourage me from appreciating my own growth and creativity.
If youāve ever struggled with self-doubt or felt scared of being judged by what you create, I hope this reminds you that sometimes you'll not get it right or things won't go as planned, and that's okay! Weāre all just doing our best. So thank you for being here and for supporting my creative journey, imperfections and all! So, let me show you how to make air-dry clay cat fridge magnets with UV resin!
Materials I Used
To create this project, hereās what I used:
Air-Dry Clay (DAS brand): This clay is easy to work with and doesnāt require baking.
Cat-Shaped Silicone Mold: I found this mold on AliExpress, but you could shape them by hand too.
Gouache paint: I used my Himi Jelly Gouache Paint Set, but you can also use acrylic paint.
UV Resin: For a glossy, protective finish, I used an odorless UV resin also purchased from AliExpresss.
Sandpaper (220 and 400 grit): To smooth out imperfections.
Posca Pen (Black and White): For finer details. (Optional!)
Magnets and Instant Glue: To turn the clay cats into magnets.
Step-by-Step Process
Preparing the Clay: Before anything else, I kneaded the clay for a bit to soften it and make it easier to work with. This step helps improve the texture, but I had to be careful not to trap air bubbles, which could cause cracks later when the clay dried.
Rolling the Clay: Once the clay was ready, I rolled it out to a uniform thickness using a rolling pin and 5mm wooden guides. These guide are optional, I just used them for consistency.
Molding the Shapes: I used a cat-shaped mold I bought off AliExpress and pressed the clay into place. If you donāt have a mold, hand-shaping is totally an option, the mold was just convenient to use.
Smoothing the Edges: I kept a small container of water nearby to prevent the clay from drying out as I worked. With my damp fingers, I carefully smoothed the edges of each cat to minimize the need for sanding later. I let the clay dry for 48 hours to make sure it was fully set.
Sanding: Once the clay was dry, I used two types of sandpaper: 220 grit for shaping and 400 grit for a smooth finish. An N95 mask is essential for this step to avoid inhaling fine clay dust, and I worked near an open window for good ventilation!
Painting: I used my Himi Jelly Gouache paint set, after trying (and failing) to paint with acrylic paint... I painted each cat based on reference photos of my friendsā pets, starting with the base colors and adding details like stripes and spots. I've found the gouache more forgiving than acrylic paint, but that's just a personal preference.
Sealing with UV Resin: To protect the paint and give the magnets a glossy finish, I coated each cat with UV resin. This step took some patienceāmy first resin order got stuck in limbo (also known as Brazilian customs)! Then I had to pay import taxes twice on my second order...
My sister joked that I'm now ready for the apocalypse. I used a small black light lantern to cure the resin, since the UV resin needs to be cured under UV light to make the coating hard and shiny. Also, I didn't forget to use the proper protective equipment. I used a respirator with organic vapor filters (it helps prevent inhaling potentially harmful fumes that can irritate your respiratory system), and disposable nitrile gloves (they protect your skin from direct contact with the resin, which can cause allergic reactions or irritation over time). Even though UV resin is often less hazardous than epoxy resin and this one I used was labeled as odorless, itās still important to handle it in a well-ventilated area and avoid prolonged exposure. Do not skip these precautions!
Adding Magnets: Finally, I glued strong and flat magnets to the backs of the clay cats using instant glue. And now they are done!
Lessons Learned Along the Way
This project wasnāt without its challenges. From package delays to figuring out how to use gouache properly, I made many mistakes. At one point, I struggled to get the eyes right, leading to what I jokingly refer to as āpandas eyes syndromeā (you know, when you try to fix one side and just keep making it worse).
But the biggest lesson I learned was to embrace imperfections. As someone who often struggles with perfectionism, this project reminded me that handmade items arenāt supposed to look perfectātheyāre supposed to reflect the love and effort that went into making them.
What about you? Have you ever worked with air-dry clay or created personalized crafts for your friends? Iād love to hear your stories, tips, or even see your creations! Feel free to share in the comments below!
To see a full video of the process, check out:
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