Cheery clay pins may be small, but they will have a big impact. In no time you can have a bulletin board covered with colorful patterns, faces, and flowers.

These buttons were tailor-made for kids. To craft shapes, a plastic knife or small cookie cutter will work; poke holes with a toothpick.

Making Dots
Roll clay into a thin strand. Cut into small pieces, then roll the pieces into balls. Arrange pieces, and press onto a clay ball. Roll ball to smooth out.

Making Faces
To create a face shape, roll a small piece of clay into a ball; with your thumb, flatten into a disk. Make tiny clay balls for eyes and nose and a log for mouth. Arrange pieces, and press onto a clay ball. Roll ball to smooth out. swirls Roll clay into a thin strand, wrap around a clay ball, and press. Roll ball to smooth out.

Making Thumbtacks
After you've created your design on a ball, flatten the ball into a disk with your thumb. Place disk face down; press the top of a thumbtack onto the disk's back. Fold the disk's edges gently over the head of the pin and cover so that the underside is no longer visible.

More Basic Techniques for Clay Crafts