If you have enjoyed my previous Spongebob related project, the Porthole Wall Decor, then you’re going to love this one too! This time, we’re making the SpongeBob SquarePants Flower Coaster with air-dry clay.

In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you how to easily create this super cute coaster. It’s a fun and creative project that’s perfect for any SpongeBob fan, and you’ll see just how beginner-friendly it really is! So let’s get started!

Materials

• Air Dry Clay
• Printer and A4 paper
• Clay Tools
• Acrylic Paint
• UV resin or any type of glossy varnish
• Sandpaper (fine grain)

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DIY SpongeBob SquarePants Flower Coaster

Prepare Your Workspace

Before starting, make sure that your workspace is clean. Place a sheet of transparent glass or acrylic on your table to use as your working surface. The glass surface is perfect for working with air-dry clay because it prevents sticking and allows you to easily replicate the flower design by taking advantage of its transparency.

Print and Position the Template

Print the flower design template that you can donwload for free here: https://atelierdelilah.gumroad.com/l/udvfkr .

Place the printed flower under the transparent glass or acrylic sheet. Make sure it’s positioned securely so it doesn’t shift while you’re working.

Create The Flower Shape With The Air Dry Clay

Take a portion of air-dry clay weighing 180g and shape it into a smooth ball. Then knead it until it’s soft and pliable. Roll it with the palm of your hands into a long rope-like shape (clay coil), measuring 63 cm in length. It doesn’t need to be perfectly proportionate, so don’t worry if the width varies a little. The slight differences in width will add to the unique charm of your finished flower. Using the printed design as a guide, shape the clay into the flower pattern placed beneath the glass surface.

If the coil breaks or becomes uneven, don’t worry! You can easily pinch the pieces back together and smooth them using your fingers and a little water. Once the coil is complete, use the score-and-slip technique to securely connect the ends of the coil and close the flower shape. Gently press down on the flower to slightly flatten it so the coaster sits evenly, while trying to keep the rounded edges intact.

In the curved sections of the flower, you may notice some wrinkles. Smooth them out using a bit of water and your fingers or an appropriate clay tool. Smooth the entire flower by gently rubbing the clay with your finger and a bit of water to remove any wrinkles or bumps.

The Middle Part Of The Flower – SpongeBob Flower Coaster Clay

To create the small circle for the center of the flower, take a small ball of clay and press it between your fingers to form a flat, rounded shape. It should be the right size to fit in the center of the flower. Then, use a suitable clay tool to carve a hole in the center.

Place the round piece in the center of the flower. Using a small amount of lightly wet clay, attach the round to three of the inner curved edges, as shown in the pictures below.

Be sure to do the same on the back of the coaster, to secure the round piece and make it firmly attached to the flower.

Use a sharp tool to create creases around the area where the round piece is attached, giving the appearance that it’s separate from the flower.

Let your coaster dry now! – SpongeBob Flower Coaster Clay

Now that the flower is complete, set the coaster aside to dry. This typically takes 24-48 hours, depending on the thickness of the clay and the humidity in your room. Avoid touching or moving the coaster to prevent distortion. Once the top is dry, gently flip it over to allow the back to dry as well.

Tip: If you need to take a break while working on your coaster and haven’t finished shaping the flower, cover it with a container that has no holes to prevent air from getting in. Place something slightly heavy on top of the container to make sure it stays closed against the glass surface. This will keep the clay moist, allowing you to resume working on it whenever you’re ready. The clay can stay moist under the container for up to an entire day without drying out.

Sand for a Smooth Finish

Once the clay is fully dry, use fine-grit sandpaper to achieve a smooth finish. Gently rub the sandpaper over the surface, taking care not to apply too much pressure to avoid damaging the clay.

Paint the Flower

Now it’s time to bring your flower coaster to life with color! Use acrylic paints to match the SpongeBob SquarePants inspired palette or choose colors that suit your personal style.

You can start with a white primer (gesso) before painting it with the color of your choice. A white primer helps create a smooth surface, improves paint adhesion, and enhances color vibrancy for a brighter, longer-lasting finish. Next, paint each section of the flower carefully. Acrylic paint can peel off if applied too thickly or touched before it dries, so make sure to let each section dry completely before moving on to the next. Allow the paint to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Tip: For vibrant colors, apply two or three thin coats of acrylic paint rather than one thick coat.

Apply UV Resin for Durability – SpongeBob Flower Coaster Clay

To protect your coaster and give it a glossy, durable finish, coat it with UV resin, or a gloss varnish of your choice. Place the SpongeBob Flower Coaster Clay on a flat, disposable surface to catch any resin drips.

• Pour a small amount of UV resin onto the surface of the flower and use a clean brush to spread it evenly over the top and sides. Once the resin has cured, repeat the process on the back of the coaster.
• Be sure to cover the entire surface for maximum protection. I strongly recommend wearing protective gloves and a mask to avoid inhaling fumes, as they can be harmful.
• Use a UV lamp to cure the resin according to the product instructions. This usually takes a few minutes. You can also place your coaster under the sun to dry, as the curing process is quite fast. If it’s a sunny day in your area, take advantage of it!

The resin will not only protect your paint but also give your coaster a clean glass-like finish.

With this final step complete, your project is now finished! You can now enjoy a warm cup of coffee or tea with your brand new SpongeBob Flower Coaster Clay.

If you enjoyed making this flower coaster, I’d love to see your creations of the SpongeBob Flower Coaster Clay, so don’t forget to share them with me on my social medias!

Be sure to follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok for more cool DIY projects and crafty inspiration. And if you haven’t already, subscribe to my YouTube channel for even more fun videos and tutorials. Stay creative and happy crafting!