October 20, 2011

How To Make Polymer Clay Cabinet Knobs

When I transformed my sweet linen cabinet I needed new knobs, so I thought I would try my hand at making my own...It worked!


I love the way the knobs look on my cabinet


This is how I made them, now don't be intimidated by all the steps, it really is easy, I just like to make sure you have all of the details

I used polymer clay that you bake to harden.  This was a huge box but, you can get a small block.


I rolled the clay into balls, you may be able to eyeball the size to get them all the same.  I used my old Weight Watchers scale to measure out 1oz hunks of clay


Then rolled them into balls, just like rolling meatballs!


Now, you don't have to, but I decided I wanted my knobs to set off the cabinet a little, so I rolled smaller balls and put them on the big balls then smashed them down a little


I bought screws and nuts from the hardware store.  #8-32 screws are the size you buy with knobs, be sure to buy #8-32 nuts to fit the screws.  I got 1-1/4 inch length which will fit on most cabinets.  You can buy them separate or together in a box.


Now, make a hole straight into the clay.  I used a food skewer, you could use a paint brush handle, just make sure it is larger than the diameter of the screw.  I made the hole deep so the screw could go deeper if the cabinet wood was thin


Now, take your nut and put it over the hole


I used a crochet hook, but you could use a paint brush handle to clear any clay that may have blocked the opening when you pushed the screw in


Then using the paint brush handle roll some of the clay back over the screw to make sure it stays in

Even doing that I had one knob where the screw came out, I just used a little E-6000 glue on the outside edge of the nut, let it dry and then it stayed in


Now, bake your clay according to the package directions, I baked mine at 270 degrees for 25 minutes, but since all ovens are different do a test run on one.

When I did the tutorial on making clay roses a reader sent me a picture of a pan of burnt roses... I'm just saying, do a test on just one so you don't burn a whole pan of knobs 

Let it cool and your done!!!!


Honestly, if you can roll a meatball you can make a knob!

The best part is decorating your knob and making it just your style

This post will give you some knob decorating ideas!


Happy Creating!

42 comments:

Pat Harris said...

Wow! So cool and it looks great! Is it expensive to buy?

Pat
http://www.junkblossoms.com

Debbiedoos said...

Now aren't you the clever one. Jack has used that clay before to make little lego guys...I would have never thought of this. They are super cute Carol! Good job!

Ido said...

I love them! Thank you for the awesome tutorial, I will make mine with a fleur de lis for my Parisian bathroom. Thank you Carol!
XXX Ido

Createology said...

Your cabinet and knobs are divine. You are so generous to share your techniques. Love how you have explained the do's and don'ts. Nothing like first hand experience. Happy creating...

Dina said...

Thanks so much for sharing! This sounds very easy and I already got a lot of ideas for different knobs. Thanks Carol! :)

Angela said...

Is there anything you can't do? these are so pretty.
Thank you for the tutorial.
Hugs,
Angela.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

See, I look at that and think...I would never do that...she gets the award!! They are darling...

Rhea said...

Wonderful inspiring post. I have avoided clay, because it is just one more medium to become obsessed with...your post invites me to reconsider!

Ruby Jean said...

LOVE it Aunt C-A-R-O-L..... : ) Yes those letters would make for a VERY cute Charm necklace..: ) I will have to show this to My clay making guy he will Love it.. I think I need to buy Stock in that stuff... Looking forward to seeing your other Nifty ideas... : )

kristiB said...

Carol, you are so talented! I think you can do anything you set your mind to. Do you wear a cape when your working by the way? LOL

nádya said...

I have been reading your blog for a while and I can tell, boy, you are smart and creative!!! I love all of your ideas. All your tutorials are excelently explained!!! And these knobs are just gorgeous!!!
Blessings,
Nádya

La said...

Hi Carol!

These are dreamy. You are so clever.

I hope all is well with you.

Debbie said...

Carol, I have been waiting for this since you mentioned it. Yes, it's a lot of steps but you are right that they are very doable steps.

Of course, my meatballs are always a little whoppy sided...

I'm looking forward to the decorating ideas. I can't tell you the times that I have walked by the great pulls in the store and not purchased them because I'm so cheap. Making my own would be such a great solution. I can be a cheap copycat.

Anonymous said...

great job! even if they do burn or discolor they can easily be painted with acrylic paint and sprayed with a sealer. R'chelle

Cheryl said...

Love these and look so easy to do. Thanks for the tutorial!
Have fun,
Cheryl

Gina said...

I can roll a meatball, I can roll a meatball! You're just too clever for me Carol. Very pretty knobs.

laxsupermom said...

Genius! What a clever idea! Thanks for sharing.

Deborah March said...

Absolutely positively FABULOUS!! Thanks for the tutorial too!

Deborah (visiting happily from http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com...hope you have a minute to stop by too...)

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

Super cute knobs. Great tutorial, Carol.

Shannon @Cozy Home Scenes said...

Carol, let me sum it up this way, you are: ARTISTIC, INSPIRING, INVENTIVE, RESOURCEFUL, INGENIOUS, PRODUCTIVE, INSTRUCTIVE, NICE...............
and you make cute cabinet knobs.
Shannon

Anonymous said...

I found you by way of rebecca at a gathering of thoughts. Fabulous tutorial!! It seems so much easier than I anticipated it would be. Thank you for sharing. I had to giggle at the weight watcher scale, perfectly acceptable use for a non used scale!! hugs. Tammy

kelly said...

Thanks, Carol. They look wonderful.

Kelly

Day before Michelle said...

Carol,
You know, when I tried your clay roses I wondered if it would work for knobs, I just hadn't gotten around to trying it yet. Glad to know it does!! Thank you so much for all your share with us, you are an inspiration :)

Heart Vintage Design said...

You make it seem so easy and do-able, I can't wait to read your posts when they arrive in my mailbox! Thanks for being so willing to share!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Those are so pretty! The perfect touch! ♥♥♥ Enjoy your weekend! Isn't this weather perfect? ♥

Olivia said...

Awesome tutorial! That cabinet is oooohhhh la la fantabulous! Love it darling!
Hugs,
Olivia

Katie said...

You my dear are amazing!!! I love all of your craftiness (is that even a word?) I have that same weight watchers scale. LoL!!! XoXo

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to let you know that I featured your project this past friday on the very first edition of "You Sew Rock Me Fridays" @ Sew Rockin'. Awesome job...I look forward to see what you come up with next!

http://www.sewrockin.com/2011/10/21/you-sew-rock-me-fridays-1/

Jamie

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Your tutorials are the best! What a great idea and the little rose decal is the perfect touch. I think I need to start practicing my meat ball rolling skills. Thanks so much for sharing this.

Jane said...

Fabulous project! Thanks for the tutorial. I've been busy catching up on all of your decal projects. They are really wonderful!!
Jane

Kristybelle said...

Thank you so much for the detailed instructions! I have been wanting to try making my own clay knobs but kept putting it off b/c I wasn't sure how to handle the screws, etc. Yours look great on your little cabinet!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Carol, The knobs are beautiful and perfect on the cabinet. Thanks for sharing how to make these at the Open House Party. Have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Sherry

Stampindamour said...

Carol--these are fantastic!!! I need to try this!

We just replaced all the knobs in our kitchen and I had all of these leftover screws that I gave away...ugh!

-pamela

Savannah Granny said...

This sounds easy. I may give this a try. Hugs, Ginger

Farah said...

Creativity is what this is Carol.... very beautiful project and YES I am going to make some for my craft room drawers... I pinned it on my board... And in next post you teach to decorate it is also very helpful... lots of thanks for sharing your great idea ...
Happy if you come to see me at
http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
with love from
Farah

Epsminis said...

Woow, what a cool idea to make the knobs from polymer clay. I have made much things with this material, but i never think about handmade knobs for furniture in real size. ... (i made miniatures with clay) ;)

Just great, i´ll have a try
Thx so much for sharing your ideas and tipps

Elke :)

Sherri said...

These knobs are so pretty and the tutorial is fantastic. I featured you on Momcaster!

http://momcaster.com/2012/05/17/make-your-own-knobs/

m said...

Totally adorable ! Just shared a link on my Facebook page x

m said...

Totally adorable ! Just shared a link on my Facebook page x

Beech Haus said...

This is exactly what I was loOking for! Thanks for the tutorial :)

Unknown said...

Wow! Too cool! I refurbish furniture and get them up to brand new condition and resell it at low used prices. I do this to help our military here in Ft. Campbell ,KY and Clarksville, TN to start over, often after returning from a long deployment. I'm always looking for cool and new ideas and this one is at the top of my list. I'm currently attempting to make clear resin knobs and could use some tips if anyone has some. The bedroom set I'm working onis white, red, and black. I've chosen to go with a Vegas theme so in the knobs I'm putting tiny little red, black and white dice and poker chips and cards that I'm making. This is something I've never done so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. If anyone has any tips that would be awesome! Find me on FB and message me there or here. Thanks a bunch! Carol Sue Bushell-Bousman

Unknown said...

How have these knobs held up with use?