A round white coaster wrapped in raised black clay stripes, with a pair of hand-drawn eyes peeking through the wrapping, that’s the idea behind mummy wrap clay coasters, a fun next-level project once your family has tried an easier shape like my beginenr-friendly candy corn coasters.
No sculpting skills required for the face either. Once the coasters are dry, kids draw the expressions themselves with a permanent marker, so no two coasters end up looking the same.
This one is a good project for older kids since laying the raised strips neatly takes a bit more patience than a simple layer and cut shape. But it still comes together with just clay, a cutter, and a marker.
What You’ll Need
- Soft Modeling Air dry clay in white and black
- A rolling pin
- A round cookie cutter, or a paper stencil traced onto the clay, for same-sized coasters
- A butter knife or clay cutting tool
- Parchment paper
- A black permanent marker
- Gloss clay varnish or sealant
A quick note on sizing: a round cookie cutter is the fastest way to get uniform coasters. If you don’t have one in the size you want, trace a circle onto paper using a bowl or lid, cut it out, and use that as a stencil instead, tracing around it with your knife the same way you would with a candy corn stencil.
Step 1: Roll Out Your Base and Strips
Roll the white clay into a flat slab, about ¼ inch thick, for the coaster base. Roll the black clay into thin, even ropes or strips for the wrapping.
Keep the strips slightly thinner than the base so they read as a raised layer instead of overwhelming the white underneath.
Step 2: Wrap the Base in Stripes
Brush a thin line of water along the underside of each black strip before laying it across the white base. This acts like glue and keeps the strip from lifting once everything dries.
Lay the strips at slight angles, crossing some of them, the way real bandage wrap overlaps. You don’t need a neat, even pattern, a little unevenness actually makes it look more authentic.
Press each strip down gently at the edges so it bonds to the base, but avoid flattening it completely. You want some texture and height left on top.
Step 3: Cut the Coaster Shape
While the clay is still soft, press your cookie cutter or paper stencil over the wrapped slab and cut around it. Cutting now, before the strips firm up, keeps the edges clean instead of dragging or smearing the black into the white.
Wipe your cutter or knife clean between cuts if any clay sticks to it, so you don’t transfer black streaks onto the next coaster.
Once cut, smooth the bottom edge with a little water and your fingers. This seals the seam where the black strip ends meet the white base and keeps the edge from cracking as it dries.
Step 4: Let Them Dry
Lay the coasters flat on parchment paper, on a level surface, and let them dry for 24 to 48 hours depending on thickness. Flip them occasionally so both sides dry evenly.
Step 5: Draw the Faces
Once the coasters are completely dry, use a black permanent marker to draw a pair of eyes on each one. This is the fun part, let every kid give their mummy a different expression: wide and startled, sleepy, cross-eyed, or mischievous.
Let the marker dry for a few minutes before moving on to sealing, so it doesn’t smudge.
Step 6: Seal for Durability
Brush on a coat of gloss varnish once the marker ink has set. This locks in the drawn expressions and gives the coasters a polished, glossy finish with some water resistance for everyday use.
As with any clay coaster, this is about durability and shine, not making them food-safe or heat-safe. Keep them for everyday drinkware, not hot dishes or candles.
Gift It
A set of four mummy wrap coasters, each with its own goofy or spooky expression, makes a fun and slightly unexpected handmade Halloween gift.
They’re a great project for an older sibling to make alongside a younger one working on the simpler candy corn coasters, so the whole family ends up with a matching set of handmade Halloween coasters.
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Also Check Out:
Spooky DIY Halloween Clay Ideas to Make And Gift
Easy Beginner-Friendly Clay Halloween Gifts: Candy Corn Coasters to Make With Kids
