Spooky Halloween Spider Craft: Easy Polymer Clay Tutorial

Updated at: 31/05/2025

Halloween is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than by crafting some spooky decorations? This year, ditch the store-bought plastic spiders and create your own charmingly creepy crawlies using the versatile magic of polymer clay! This easy-to-follow tutorial will guide you through the process of making adorable, yet slightly spooky, Halloween spiders perfect for adding a touch of handmade fright to your festive decor. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or a complete beginner, you'll find this project both fun and surprisingly simple. These little spiders are also great for adding a unique flair to cards, gift tags, or even as quirky earrings.

Get ready to unleash your inner artist and conjure up some eight-legged wonders! This step-by-step guide will walk you through each stage of creating these polymer clay spiders, from shaping the body and legs to baking and finishing them to a perfect spooky sheen. Let's get started and transform that humble polymer clay into a miniature army of Halloween spiders!

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Black polymer clay
  • Yellow polymer clay
  • Clay tools (or tools with flat and bumpy sides)
  • Rolling pin
  • Paper
Safety Guidelines
  • Polymer clay needs to be baked in an oven according to the package instructions. Adult supervision is required at all times during baking.
  • Avoid putting unbaked clay in your mouth or handling it with dirty hands. Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling polymer clay.
  • Use a well-ventilated area when baking polymer clay, as fumes may be released.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the Clay

    • Prepare the black clay by rolling it into a ball, then a sausage.
    • Prepare the yellow clay by rolling it into a small sausage, then cut it in half.
    Prepare the yellow clay by rolling it into a small sausage, then cut it in half.Prepare the yellow clay by rolling it into a small sausage, then cut it in half.
    Prepare the Clay

  2. Shape the Spider's Body

    • Cut the sausage into two parts (roughly 2/3 and 1/3).
    • Roll the larger part (2/3) into a ball to form the spider's body.
    Roll the larger part (2/3) into a ball to form the spider's body.Roll the larger part (2/3) into a ball to form the spider's body.
    Shape the Spider's Body

  3. Create the Legs

    • Roll the smaller part (1/3) into a thin sausage and cut it into six equal parts.
    • Roll each of the six pieces into small balls to form the spider's legs.
    Roll each of the six pieces into small balls to form the spider's legs.Roll each of the six pieces into small balls to form the spider's legs.
    Create the Legs

  4. Assemble the Spider

    • Attach the legs to the body, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
    Attach the legs to the body, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
    Assemble the Spider

  5. Create and Attach the Eyes

    • Roll each half of the yellow clay into small balls for the eyes.
    • Flatten the yellow balls and attach them to the spider's head.
    • Roll out a thin sausage of black clay and cut two small pieces for the pupils. Attach to the eyes.
    Roll out a thin sausage of black clay and cut two small pieces for the pupils. Attach to the eyes.Roll out a thin sausage of black clay and cut two small pieces for the pupils. Attach to the eyes.Roll out a thin sausage of black clay and cut two small pieces for the pupils. Attach to the eyes.
    Create and Attach the Eyes

  6. Finish and Dry

    • Let the spider dry completely.
    Let the spider dry completely.
    Finish and Dry

Read more: Easy Clay Heart Sculpting: From Charm to Button

Tips

  • Don't worry about making the legs perfectly even; slight variations add character.
  • If the clay sticks to your surface, use paper to prevent sticking.
  • If clay pieces stick together, gently separate and reshape.
  • If the clay is too dry to stick, add a tiny bit of water to help it adhere.
  • Get creative! Use different colors for eyes and personalize your spider.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Unevenly Baked Clay

Reason: Inconsistent baking time or temperature leads to parts of the spider being underbaked (soft and sticky) or overbaked (burnt and brittle).
Solution: Ensure even baking by using a baking sheet and following the clay's specific baking instructions carefully.

2. Spider Legs Too Thin or Delicate

Reason: Rolling the legs too thin makes them prone to breaking during handling or baking.
Solution: Roll the legs slightly thicker initially, or use wire for support inside the clay legs before baking.

FAQs

How long does it take for the polymer clay spiders to bake?
Baking time depends on the thickness of your clay and your oven's temperature. Generally, bake according to the instructions on your polymer clay package; usually between 15-30 minutes at 275°F (135°C). Always supervise while baking.