How to Make a Cute Pinch Pot Out of Polymer Clay (Sheep and Highland Cow Designs!)

Pinch pots are the perfect beginner project because they don’t require any fancy tools or complicated techniques. Plus, they have that rustic, handmade charm that makes them look like something straight out of a cozy farmhouse kitchen.

Today, we’re making two of the most adorable farm-inspired designs: a fluffy sheep and a shaggy Highland cow. These handmade pieces will look perfect on a kitchen counter, coffee table, or even as a mini succulent planter!

Let’s get crafting!

Related: 7 Easy Polymer Clay Projects Perfect for Beginners

Materials You’ll Need

Before we jump in, let’s gather everything we need. You don’t need a ton of supplies for this project, which is why I love it for beginners! Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:

• Polymer clay – White for the sheep (or mix it up with custom colors, like I’ll be doing!) , brown and tan for the Highland cow.
• A rolling pin or acrylic roller – Helps with flattening and conditioning the clay.
• A toothpick or needle tool – Essential for adding fine details like fur texture and facial features.
• Clay cutting tool or craft knife – For slicing and shaping small details like ears and horns.
• A small bowl or round object – Helps shape your pinch pot evenly if you want a more uniform look.
• Oven and baking sheet – Because polymer clay needs to be baked to harden.
• Sandpaper (optional) – Smooths out any rough edges after baking.
• Varnish or glaze (optional) – For a glossy or matte finish, depending on your style.

Alright, now that we have our materials, let’s get to the fun part—making the pinch pot!

Step 1 – Condition and Prepare Your Polymer Clay

First things first, let’s wake up that clay! If you’ve ever worked with polymer clay straight out of the package, you know it can be stiff at first.

Warm it up by rolling and kneading it in your hands until it’s soft and pliable. This step is super important because properly conditioned clay is easier to shape and less likely to crack.

Once your clay is nice and smooth, roll it into a ball about the size of a golf ball. If you want a marbled or speckled effect (which looks great on the Highland cow design!), gently mix in different colors without over-blending. This gives your clay a natural, organic look.

Step 2 – Shape Your Pinch Pot

Now, the fun part! Hold your clay ball in one hand and gently press your thumb into the center. This creates the base of your pot. Then, using your fingers, pinch the sides outward while rotating the pot in your hand. Keep pinching and shaping until you have a small, rounded pot shape.

Make sure the walls are even—about ¼ inch thick is perfect. If you go too thin, the pot might collapse; too thick, and it’ll take longer to bake evenly. Need a little help keeping it round? Use a small bowl as a mold to refine the shape.

Step 3 – Refine the Shape and Smooth the Surface

Now that you’ve got the basic shape, it’s time to smooth things out. Run your fingers over the surface to get rid of any bumps. If needed, use a shaping tool or a tiny bit of cornstarch on your fingertips to prevent fingerprints.

Flatten the bottom slightly so your pot sits evenly on a surface—nobody wants a wobbly toothpick holder! If you see any cracks forming, gently smooth them out with your fingertip before baking. If you’re rim looks uneven, use a craft knife to slice off the excess.

Step 4 – Transform Your Pinch Pot Into a Sheep or Highland Cow

Now comes the best part—turning this simple pinch pot into an adorable farm animal! Whether you’re going for a woolly sheep or a shaggy Highland cow, the details make all the difference.

🐑 Sheep Toothpick Holder

Fur Texture:

• Roll tiny balls of white clay and press them onto the pot’s surface. This creates a woolly, fluffy look. Alternatively, use funky colors to add character to your pot.
• Slightly flatten the balls with your fingertip so they blend naturally into the clay.

Face & Ears:

• Roll a small oval piece of black or brown clay for the face and press it onto the front of the pot.
• Make two tiny oval ears and attach them to the sides.

Eyes & Nose:

• Roll two tiny black dots for the eyes and press them in place.
• Use a toothpick to create a small “V” shape or dot for the nose.

🐂 Highland Cow Toothpick Holder

Shaggy Fur:

• Roll out thin strands of brown or tan clay and layer them over the pot to create a messy, textured look.
• Press them down lightly so they don’t fall off when baking.

Face & Nose:

• Form a small oval from darker brown clay for the muzzle and attach it to the front.
• Use a toothpick to indent two tiny nostrils.

Horns & Ears:

• Roll two small curved horns from beige or light tan clay and attach them near the top.
• Make two rounded ears and press them just below the horns (optional).

Eyes:

• Add two black dots for a simple look, or use a needle tool to create tiny sleepy eyelids for extra personality.

Step 5 – Bake Your Toothpick Holder

Time to make it permanent! Follow the baking instructions on your polymer clay package (usually 230°F to 275°F for 15–30 minutes per ¼ inch of thickness). Place your pot on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until firm.

If you’re worried about burning your clay or discoloration, make a foil tent and place it over your pot to evenly distribute heat and protect it from any overly hot areas in your oven.

Turn the oven off and open the oven door slightly after baking. This prevents sudden temperature changes that can cause your clay to crack. Let it cool completely before handling—hot clay is fragile, and we don’t want all that hard work going to waste!

Step 6 – Finishing Touches

Once your little toothpick holder has cooled down, you can refine it even more!

• Use sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges.
• Apply a matte varnish for a soft, realistic fur effect or a glossy glaze for a ceramic-like shine.
• If you want to add a pop of color, you can use acrylic paint to enhance the eyes or details!

And that’s it—your adorable, farm-inspired toothpick holder is ready to use!

These pinch pot toothpick holders are not only fun to make, but they also bring a little personality to your kitchen or dining table. Whether you keep them for yourself or gift them to a fellow animal lover, they’re sure to bring a smile every time someone reaches for a toothpick.

Which one are you making first—the woolly sheep or the shaggy Highland cow? Let me know in the comments, and happy crafting! 🐑🐂✨