For some people, mushrooms are simply another ingredient in a tasty dish. For others, mushrooms represent a connection to nature and the divine, acting as a bridge between the physical world and the spiritual realm. To me, they’re both yummy and other-worldly. Plus, I love incorporating them into our fairy crafts and garden décor. You can use just about anything to make them, from milk bottles to thumbtacks, toilet paper rolls, and cotton wool. In today’s tutorial, I’d like to share how to make these enchanting clay mushrooms.  

From whimsical toadstools to realistic-looking fungi, mushroom crafts are a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by all age groups. Join us on the blog was we show you how to make these magical clay mushrooms that light-up to add a little charm to your home décor. Step-by-step tutorial @ #ACraftyMix

But these aren’t just any mushrooms….

From whimsical toadstools to realistic-looking fungi, mushroom crafts are a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by all age groups. Join us on the blog was we show you how to make these magical light-up clay mushrooms to add a little charm to your home décor. Step-by-step tutorial @ #ACraftyMix

….these babies light up too.

From whimsical toadstools to realistic-looking fungi, mushroom crafts are a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by all age groups. Join us on the blog was we show you how to make these magical light-up clay mushrooms to add a little charm to your home décor. Step-by-step tutorial @ #ACraftyMix

It’s not the brightest light in the world, just enough to cast a warm glow on the mossy floor below.

From whimsical toadstools to realistic-looking fungi, mushroom crafts are a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by all age groups. Join us on the blog was we show you how to make these magical light-up clay mushrooms to add a little charm to your home décor. Step-by-step tutorial @ #ACraftyMix

Right, before I share how I made these clay mushrooms with lights, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!

What you need

  • Air dry clay
  • Fairy lights
  • Piece of wood
  • Glue gun
  • Jewelry wire
  • Masking tape
  • Polystyrene (optional, but it will make life so much easier)
What you need to make magical light-up clay mushrooms

How to make enchanting clay mushrooms that light-up

This tutorial is in two parts. Part one deals with how to make the mushroom stalks and add the lights, and in part two, I will show you how to make the mushroom tops.

Making mushroom stalks and wiring them up

Create a “working area” template on polystyrene by tracing around the piece of wood you’ll be using to stage your mushrooms. The polystyrene “work area” makes it easier to play around with the layout, and it keeps your slice of wood free from the mess while you make the mushrooms.

Trace around the slice of wood

Cut varying lengths of wire and insert them into the polystyrene.

Different lengths of wire stuck in polystyrene

Wind the fairy lights around the wire, starting at the bottom. You want to make sure that there’s a little bulb (or three) at the top of each piece of wire.

Wind the fairy lights around the wire stalks

Carry on winding the lights around the wire until you reach the end of the string of fairy lights.

Test to see that all the lights work

To create interest and make the final piece more dynamic, bend the wire stalks a little.

Bend the wire to create interest

Wrap masking tape around the fairy lights to secure them to the wire and provide a base to add the clay.

Wind masking tape around the wire stalks

Don’t cover the little light bulbs.

A view of the mushroom stalks and fairy lights after adding the tape

They need to be masking tape free and exposed for now 😉

A view of the switched on fairy lights at the top of the mushroom stalks

Take small amounts of air-dry clay and wrap it around the masked lights to bulk up the stalk.

Wrap air-dry clay around the wire

For a lovely textured stalk, don’t smooth the clay out. In my opinion, the rough clay marks add to the final look and give the fairy lights something to dance around. Leave the stalks to air dry.

Leave the clay stalks to dry

Making clay mushroom caps

I was in two minds about what type of mushroom cap to make. I could either go for curly tops or keep them as natural as possible. Since I’ve already shared a curly top mushroom tutorial, I chose the latter. Grab a handful of air-dry clay and roll it into a ball.

Roll the clay into a ball

Use your knuckle to make an indent on one side.

Use your knuckle to create and indent in the bottom of the mushroom cap

Place the indented side on a flat surface and use your fingers to shape the mushroom. I squished the sides of mine a little.

Use your fingers to squish the mushroom tops a little.

Once you’re happy with the shape, put the mushroom caps “indent-side” down to cure.

Putting everything together

Make sure both the caps and stalks are completely dry before putting everything together. Using your glue gun, put a small dollop of clear glue inside the mushroom cap and pop it on top of a stalk.

Put a dollop of clear glue inside the mushroom cap

Wait a few minutes for the glue to set before removing the mushrooms from their polystyrene base.

Once the clay dries, pull the mushrooms out of the polystyrene (Styrofoam)

Check if the lights still work and make any adjustments. You can also add more glue inside the indent if the mushroom cap feels a little wobbly.

Test if the lights work after gluing the stalk to the mushroom cap

Drill a large hole in the centre of your piece of wood. We’ll hide the battery pack there. Drill a few small holes around the bigger hole.

Drill small holes in the wood slice to hold the mushroom wire

Insert the wired mushroom stalks inside the smaller holes.

Insert the clay mushroom into the slice of wood

Paint the mushrooms in whichever color you like. I used a watered-down browny, grey color. In hindsight, I probably should have painted the mushrooms first to avoid messy paint spills. But you live and learn, right?

Use diluted craft paint (oil or water) to paint the mushroom tops and stalks

Finish off by gluing moss down under the clay mushroom lights to disguise the wiring (and messy paint spills 😉 ).

From whimsical toadstools to realistic-looking fungi, mushroom crafts are a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by all age groups. Join us on the blog was we show you how to make these easy light-up clay mushrooms to add a little magic to your home décor. Step-by-step tutorial @ #ACraftyMix

For an extra special touch, add a little bark too. 

From whimsical toadstools to realistic-looking fungi, mushroom crafts are a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by all age groups. Join us on the blog was we show you how to make these magical clay mushrooms that light-up to add a little charm to your home décor. Step-by-step tutorial @ #ACraftyMix

The bark combined with the moss makes me think of a lush forest floor, full of wonder waiting to be explored.

From whimsical toadstools to realistic-looking fungi, mushroom crafts are a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by all age groups. Join us on the blog was we show you how to make these magical clay mushrooms that light-up to add a little charm to your home décor. Step-by-step tutorial @ #ACraftyMix

The clay mushrooms look pretty special with the light on too.

From whimsical toadstools to realistic-looking fungi, mushroom crafts are a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by all age groups. Join us on the blog was we show you how to make these enchanting clay mushrooms that light-up to add a little charm to your home décor. Step-by-step tutorial @ #ACraftyMix
From whimsical toadstools to realistic-looking fungi, mushroom crafts are a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by all age groups. Join us on the blog was we show you how to make these magical clay mushrooms that light-up to add a little charm to your home décor. Step-by-step tutorial @ #ACraftyMix

But the magic really happens when the sun sets.

From whimsical toadstools to realistic-looking fungi, mushroom crafts are a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by all age groups. Join us on the blog was we show you how to make these enchanting clay mushrooms that light-up to add a little charm to your home décor. Step-by-step tutorial @ #ACraftyMix

Aren’t they lovely? It looks so other-worldly and mysterious.

From whimsical toadstools to realistic-looking fungi, mushroom crafts are a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by all age groups. Join us on the blog was we show you how to make these magical light-up clay mushrooms to add a little charm to your home décor. Step-by-step tutorial @ #ACraftyMix

Do you like adding mushrooms to your decor?

If you like the idea of making enchanting clay mushrooms that light up, don’t forget to pin the tutorial for later.

From whimsical toadstools to realistic-looking fungi, mushroom crafts are a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by all age groups. Join us on the blog was we show you how to make these enchanting clay mushrooms that light-up to add a little charm to your home décor. Step-by-step tutorial @ #ACraftyMix

Sharing is caring 😀

From whimsical toadstools to realistic-looking fungi, mushroom crafts are a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by all age groups. Join us on the blog was we show you how to make these magical clay mushrooms that light-up to add a little charm to your home décor. Step-by-step tutorial @ #ACraftyMix

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 😉

DAS Air-Hardening Modeling Clay - White Air Dry Clay 2.2lb Block - Pliable Air Clay for Sculpting and Coating - Easy to Use Air Dry Modeling Clay - Molding Clay for Sculpting and More
Sale Brightown 12 Pack Led Fairy Lights Battery Operated String Lights Waterproof Silver Wire 7 Feet 20 Led Firefly Starry Moon Lights for DIY Wedding Party Bedroom Patio Christmas (12 Pack, Warm White)
Sale Fashewelry 180 Feet 2mm Gold Aluminum Wire Bendable Metal Craft Wire for Beading Sculpting Jewelry Making

And if you prefer to buy rather than DIY, then maybe these beauties will appeal.

ANGTUO Light up Your Room Wooden Mushroom Lamp -16 Color Changing & Dimmable Mushroom Night Light for Bedroom, Living Room, Desk - Gift for Daughter, Women, Mom, on Birthday, Mother's Day
MA ERBIAN 8 Mushroom Statues (Indoor and Outdoor courtyards Terraces Gardens Flower pots Flower beds Lawns Trees) Waterproof Home Decoration Accessories and Ceramic Decorations
ESUPPORT Mushroom-Shaped Energy Saving Sensor LED Night Light with Plug Yellow(Average Life Expectancy 50000h)

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