Hair clips have a talent for vanishing. One in the car. Three on the bathroom shelf. The good one, gone. Here is how to make a clay hair clip holder at home in one afternoon, with no wheel and no kiln, so every claw clip and slide has a place to live.
Why this is a UAE problem
Claw clips are everywhere in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Long hair, hot weather, hair up by 10am. Most people end up with a drawer of tangled clips and a dressing table that never looks tidy. Store bought organisers are plastic and boring. A handmade clay holder is the fix. It looks like decor and it actually works.
The answer: build it with a home pottery kit
A Sawa Solo Kit at AED 198 has everything you need. Air dry clay, shaping tools, paints, brushes and varnish, delivered free anywhere in the UAE. You shape it on your table, paint it in your colours, and it hardens on its own overnight. No firing. No studio booking.
Get the Solo Kit, AED 198, free UAE delivery
How to make a clay hair clip holder in 6 steps
Step 1: Plan the shape
The simplest design is a small standing arch. Clips clamp onto the top edge. Aim for about 12cm wide, 10cm tall and 1.5cm thick. A thick base keeps it from tipping.
Step 2: Roll a slab
Take a fist sized ball of clay. Roll it flat with the roller in the kit until it is about 1.5cm thick. Keep the thickness even. Thin spots crack.
Step 3: Cut the arch
Cut a rectangle, then round the top two corners into a soft arch with the knife tool. Smooth the cut edges with a damp finger. Clips need a clean edge to grip.
Step 4: Build the base
Roll a second slab about 8cm by 12cm and 1.5cm thick. Score both surfaces where they meet, add a little water, and press the arch upright onto the base. Smooth the join with your thumb. Let it stand for ten minutes to check it balances.
Step 5: Add texture
Press a comb, lace or the end of a pen into the front face for pattern. Keep the top edge smooth so clips sit flat. Optional: cut small notches along the top so slides hook in.
Step 6: Dry, paint, seal
Leave it 24 to 48 hours until it is pale and light. Paint the front in a bold colour and the base in cream. Once the paint is dry, brush on the varnish. Done.
What you end up with
A standing holder that keeps every clip visible and reachable. It sits on a dressing table or a bathroom shelf and looks like something from a boutique. The leftover clay makes a matching dish for hair ties and pins. Pieces are decor only, never for food or drink. If you enjoyed this, try the clay earring holder or the clay jewellery dish next.
Common questions
Will heavy claw clips knock it over?
Not if the base is at least 8cm deep and 1.5cm thick. If you use big clips, make the base wider.
Can I make it without a kit?
You can buy clay, tools, paint and varnish separately. The kit puts all of it in one box for AED 198 and includes a guide, so it usually works out cheaper and far less hassle.
How long does drying take in UAE humidity?
Allow 48 hours in summer. Keep it away from direct AC vents so it dries evenly and does not crack.
Does it need a kiln?
No. Air dry clay hardens by itself. Varnish gives it a finished look and protects the paint.
Give your clips a home
Knowing how to make a clay hair clip holder is a two hour project with a result you use every day. Order the kit, get it delivered free, and clear the drawer this weekend.