A few weeks back I found the cutest paper napkins on Amazon. We call them serviettes here in South Africa. Napkins or nappies are something you put on a baby’s bottom. Either way, Amazon has them listed as napkins, so I’ll stick with that. Plus, it’s easier to spell too, especially since I’ll be writing that word over and over again when I show you how to make these clay gnome napkin rings.

If pint-sized, bearded creatures with pointy hats put a smile on your face, then you’re going to love this craft project. We’ll show you how to make these adorable gnome napkin rings using clay. Not only are they unique, but they add a touch of whimsy to any setting! Perfect for a festive or winter-themed party!

Aren’t they cute?

If pint-sized, bearded creatures with pointy hats put a smile on your face, then you’re going to love this craft project. We’ll show you how to make these adorable gnome napkin rings using clay. Not only are they unique, but they add a touch of whimsy to any setting! Perfect for a festive or winter-themed party!

They’re so easy to make and didn’t even take me an hour to cobble together.

If pint-sized, bearded creatures with pointy hats put a smile on your face, then you’re going to love this craft project. We’ll show you how to make these adorable gnome napkin rings using clay. Not only are they unique, but they add a touch of whimsy to any setting! Perfect for a festive or winter-themed party!

If pint-sized, bearded creatures with pointy hats aren’t your thing you can use any printed paper napkin as a base for this craft. Think bunnies for Easter, classy graphic prints, flowers, or Father Christmas. Oh, wait he’s also got a beard and a pointy hat. Mmmmm, oh well you get the idea.

If pint-sized, bearded creatures with pointy hats put a smile on your face, then you’re going to love this craft project. We’ll show you how to make these adorable gnome napkin rings using clay. Not only are they unique, but they add a touch of whimsy to any setting! Perfect for a festive or winter-themed party!

In this easy craft tutorial, I’ll show you how to make these clay gnome napkin rings. But, before we get there, do me a favor and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!

What you need

The most important thing for this craft is the napkin. You need something with a print that’s not too fussy and matches your theme. This is what the my gnomish paper napkin looks like when it’s open.

Open the napkin and flatten it out

It’s one of those tall thin napkins for messy eaters who need something a little bigger.  My kinda napkin. But’s it’s the little gnomes on the border that sold me.

Close up view of the gnomes printed on a paper napkin

You’ll also need:

  • Craft clay
  • Iron
  • Sharp craft knife
  • Nail scissors
  • Acetone and cotton wool
  • Cardboard tube
  • Aluminium foil

What you need to make clay gnome napkin rings

How to make clay gnome napkin rings

This is one of those “blink and you’ll miss it” tutorials. Open up the napkin and iron out the folds.

Iron the paper napkin to remove the fold lines

Remove the unprinted layers. The easiest way to do that is to put a small piece of sticky tape on the back of the napkin and just gently pull the layers apart.

Remove the unprinted layers of the napkin

Carefully cut out the gnomes, or whatever image you’ve chosen. I normally use nail scissors for something like this. They’re great for cutting around small, delicate shapes.

Cut out the gnome images

Making clay napkin rings

Prepare the clay by kneading it between your fingers. Use a rolling pin or bottle to roll the clay into a long strip, that’s a little taller (wider) than the image.

Roll out a strip of clay

The clay strip should be about 3-5 mm (1/8” or so) thick and long enough to go around the cardboard tube. To prevent the cardboard from burning, I covered my tube in aluminium foil. It also makes it easier to remove the napkin rings once they’ve been baked.

Place the napkin image on the clay

Now there are two ways to do the next step. “Cut and Wrap” or “Wrap and Cut”.

Option 1 – Cut and Wrap

Lay the gnome images on the clay strip and dab a little acetone all over to “embed” it into the clay. You can get all the details on how it’s done in this napkin-baked clay tutorial.

Use acetone (nail polish remover) to embed the napkin in the clay

Use a sharp craft knife to trim away the excess clay at the top and bottom of the image. To create a sense of drama I cut my edges along the gnome outlines. If you prefer a solid, straight-edged napkin ring you can cut a straight line across.

Trim any excess clay away with a sharp craft knife

Don’t cut any clay from the sides. We need to wrap the clay around the cardboard tube to make a ring before removing the excess.

Wrap the clay rings around a aluminum foil cover tube

Use your fingers to gently press and blend the cut clay side edges to smooth them out.

Option 2 – Wrap and Cut

I actually prefer this way. It makes joining the clay sides together easier and neater. Wrap the clay strip around the cardboard tube and blend the edges with your fingers. Gently roll the tube over a smooth surface once or twice to create a seamless join.

Place the napkin cut-out over the top and dab on a little acetone, being sure to cover the whole image. Cut around the image with a sharp craft knife and remove the excess clay.

Use acetone (nail polish remover) to embed the napkin in the clay

If you don’t want to fuss about joining seams, or you image isn’t wide enough, you can make an open ring by just wrapping and cutting.

Wrap the clay rings around a aluminum foil cover tube

Baking the gnome napkin rings

Pop the clay gnome napkin rings in the oven and bake according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Wait for them to cool down completely before sliding the rings off the tube. To seal and protect, spray on a clear coat of varnish.

If pint-sized, bearded creatures with pointy hats put a smile on your face, then you’re going to love this craft project. We’ll show you how to make these adorable gnome napkin rings using clay. Not only are they unique, but they add a touch of whimsy to any setting! Perfect for a festive or winter-themed party!

And that’s it. Quick and easy crafting at its best and so perfect for a Winter-themed dinner party.

If pint-sized, bearded creatures with pointy hats put a smile on your face, then you’re going to love this craft project. We’ll show you how to make these adorable gnome napkin rings using clay. Not only are they unique, but they add a touch of whimsy to any setting! Perfect for a festive or winter-themed party!

What do you think?

If you like the idea of making cute clay gnome napkin rings, don’t forget to pin the tutorial for later

If pint-sized, bearded creatures with pointy hats put a smile on your face, then you’re going to love this craft project. We’ll show you how to make these adorable gnome napkin rings using clay. Not only are they unique, but they add a touch of whimsy to any setting! Perfect for a festive or winter-themed party!

Sharing is caring

If pint-sized, bearded creatures with pointy hats put a smile on your face, then you’re going to love this craft project. We’ll show you how to make these adorable gnome napkin rings using clay. Not only are they unique, but they add a touch of whimsy to any setting! Perfect for a festive or winter-themed party!

Oh, and if you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered. Disclosure: Clicking on the links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us make more amazing crafts to share with you 😉

100 Pcs Christmas Gnome Paper Napkins, Disposable Merry Christmas Gnome Snowflake Paper Guest Napkins Xmas Gnome Decorative Paper Guest Hand Towels for Winter Holiday Christmas Dinner Party Supplies
Hotop 200 Pieces Christmas Napkins Xmas Disposable Guest Towels Bathroom Christmas Paper Hand Towels Christmas Cocktail Napkins for Xmas Dinner Birthday Party Supplies (Gnome)
Christmas Napkins Decorative Paper Napkins Disposable for Holiday Table Decor Dessert Lunch Christmas Party Napkins Red Tomte Gnome Santas 6.5' x 6.5' Pk 40
Sculpey Original ® White, Non Toxic, Polymer clay, Oven Bake Clay, 1 pound great for modeling, sculpting, holiday, DIY and school projects. Great for all skill levels
Sale ForPro Professional Collection 100% Pure Acetone, Professional Nail Polish Remover for Natural, Artificial, Acrylic & Sculptured Nails, Removes Gel Polish, Nail Glue, Nail Art & Glitter, 16 fl. oz.
Sale Slice 10518 Craft Knife, Finger-Friendly Edge, Safer Choice, Never Rusts, Lasts 11x Longer Than Steel, Precision Cutting (1 Pack)

And if you prefer to buy rather than DIY, then these gnomish cuties may appeal.

Welcome Winter Door Mat, Non Slip Funny Gnomes Entrance Mats Christmas Winter Snowflake Home Decor 29 x 17 Inch Rubber Kitchen Doormat for Xmas Holiday Entryway Front Porch Farmhouse Decoration
Seliem Hello Winter Gnome Joy Kitchen Dish Towel, Blue Buffalo Plaid Check Wood Tiered Tray It’s Cold Outside Tea Hand Drying Baking Cloth, Birdhouse Pine Cone Decor Home Decorations 18 x 26 2 Packs
Christmas Welcome Sign Wooden Winter Gnome Door Sign 10x13 Inches Gnome Hanging Plaque Decor Hanging for Holiday Winter Home Window Wall Indoor Outdoor (Stylish)

And as always, wishing you a wonderful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Thank you for popping in for a visit.

Made with love by a Crafty Mix