3D print the tools. Make it in clay.
3D print the cutters, then cut and stack polymer clay into Pixel Mushroom studs, ball-post drop earrings, pendants, keychains, magnets, brooches and wall art.
Digital download: STL files to 3D print, plus a PDF guide. Requires a 3D printer or 3D printing service.
35 3D-printable STL files, an illustrated maker guide and the Maker Licence.
Matching base, cap and stem cutters build the layered mushroom.
The outline, cap, stem, spots and V in one slab.
A 96 mm mushroom for wall art or a ball-post earring display.
Sizes name the height, from the top of the cap to the base of the stem. Dimensions are the clay mushroom's width and height at 100% print scale, not the cutter's outside dimensions.
20 mm at the outlines' scale. Not an actual-size template.
Base, cap and stem cutters come in all five sizes; the spot and V cutters come in 36, 40 and 48 mm, because the smaller cap cutters press their marks. The relief comes in 32 to 48 mm. Relief mushrooms are not made into drop earrings; they hang from a glued bail instead.
| Outline to scale | Size | Clay outline (W x H) | Methods | Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 mm | 20 x 26 mm |
| Stud earrings on flat-pad posts or a magnet (base, cap and stem; the spot marks are pressed for you) | |
| 32 mm | 24 x 32 mm |
| Light ball-post drop earrings (layered), pendant, charm, magnet or brooch | |
| 36 mm | 27 x 36 mm |
| Everyday ball-post drop earrings (layered), pendant, charm, magnet or brooch | |
| 40 mm | 30 x 40 mm |
| The pictured ball-post drop earrings (layered), pendant, charm, magnet or brooch | |
| 48 mm | 36 x 48 mm |
| Pendant, keychain, bag charm, magnet or brooch (not a drop earring) | |
| 96 mm72 x 96 mm |
| Wall art display, with a pair of 40 mm ball-post drops or on its own | ||
The 32 mm mushroom's hole is punched in raw clay; the larger sizes are drilled after baking. The guide gives the hole and hardware for each size.
Making methods
Cut a purple base, set the pink cap and white stem side by side on it, then add three yellow spots and a V. On the two smallest sizes the cap cutter presses marks where the spots and V go, so you paint or fill them instead. The separate relief cutter presses the whole mushroom into one slab of one colour. The hanging hole goes through the upper yellow spot.
Cutters cut the base, the cap and the stem, which sit side by side on the base, then the spots and V go on the cap. On the two smallest sizes the cap cutter presses marks for the spots and V instead. Suits studs, ball-post drops, a pendant, keychain, magnet, brooch or wall art.
Watch the cutters cut each coloured slab and build the layered mushroom on the cutting mat, then see eight ways to finish or display it.
One cutter cuts the outline and presses the cap line, stem, spots and V into a single slab of one clay colour. Paint the baked mushroom if you like. Suits a display piece, magnet or brooch, or a pendant or charm on a glued bail.
Watch one 4 mm slab become a relief mushroom, then see the relief magnet, brooch and keyring finishing routes.
Your first piece
Print only the files for the piece you are making; the rest are there when you want another size or method.
A single press cuts the outline and presses the cap line, stem, spots and V into one slab. Leave it one colour or paint it after baking.
See what you needThree shapes and no hole. The cap cutter presses the spot and V marks for you. About 1.6 g per earring with its post (an estimate).
See what you needThe full layered mushroom, drilled after baking. About 3.7 g per earring with its ball post and ring (an estimate; weigh your pair).
See what you needWall art display
Cut, stack and bake the same layers at 96 mm tall and the mushroom becomes wall art that holds a pair of 40 mm ball-post drop earrings. Make it in any colours.
Cut the base, place the cap and stem, add the yellow details, then make the hanging hole and bake. The guide gives the full method, placement and attachment instructions.
Step 01 · base cutter
The base cutter makes the full mushroom outline that the other shapes sit on. Keep the stepped outline crisp: test a very light cornstarch dusting on scrap if needed, rather than rounding the edges with cling wrap.
40 mm purple base, cut first.
Step 02 · cap and stem cutters
Cut a pink cap and white stem from thin sheets and set them side by side on the base. Align the cap flush with the base at the top and sides; leave purple between cap and stem and around the stem.
40 mm pink cap. Place it beside the white stem on the base.Help with this step
Step 03 · spot and V cutters
From 36 mm up, cut three spots with the one spot cutter and the V with its own cutter, and place them on the cap. At 26 and 32 mm the cap cutter has already pressed marks where they go: paint them after baking or fill them with thin yellow clay.
One spot square. Reuse cutter D three times for one 40 mm mushroom.Help with this step
Step 04 · hole, bake and findings
Mark the hole in the upper yellow spot while the clay is raw, and punch the 32 mm mushroom then. For the larger sizes, bake and cool fully, then drill with the back supported. Join each drop to a looped ball post with a jump ring, or glue on a post, pin, bail or magnet. The guide gives the hole and ring for each size.
The finished layered drops on looped ball posts, after baking and cooling.Help with this step
What you will need
Use the tools you already own. Choose your piece to see its findings, then check the shared materials below. Some linked hardware packs contain enough for many pieces.
Links marked "Affiliate link" may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Check sizes and materials before checkout.
What are you making?
The pictured pair: the mushroom hangs from the loop under a ball post, just below the lobe. Drops are 32, 36 or 40 mm.
A ball post with a small loop below it. The ring joins the loop to the mushroom. Pick a finding material that suits your ears.
One purple ring, 12 mm outside in 0.8 mm wire, joins a hanging 32 to 48 mm mushroom to its finding, through the layered-clay hole or a relief bail loop. The 12 mm sterling link is a silver alternative.
Drills the 36 and 40 mm holes after baking and full cooling, with the back supported. The 32 mm hole is punched in the raw clay instead.
Two pairs open and close jump rings without scratching them. The linked pliers set also includes starter findings; compare their sizes with the guide.
Plus glue from the core kit below.
Glue one flat-pad post to the flat back of each 26 mm stud. This assortment includes the guide's pad size and others.
Colour the pressed spot and V marks on the 26 and 32 mm mushrooms after baking. Try them on baked scrap first.
Plus glue from the core kit if you use a bail.
Ready-made chains with clasps, so the pendant is finished as soon as it hangs.
One purple ring, 12 mm outside in 0.8 mm wire, joins a hanging 32 to 48 mm mushroom to its finding, through the layered-clay hole or a relief bail loop. The 12 mm sterling link is a silver alternative.
Two pairs open and close jump rings without scratching them. The linked pliers set also includes starter findings; compare their sizes with the guide.
A relief mushroom hangs from a bail glued to its flat back instead of a hole.
Keep it decorative: hold the metal ring when you pull out your keys, not the clay.
A split key ring for keys, or a swivel clasp that clips to a bag strap. This pack has both.
The purple ring goes through the layered mushroom's hole or the relief mushroom's bail loop to join it to the key ring or clasp. The guide gives the connector ring for each finding.
Two pairs open and close jump rings without scratching them. The linked pliers set also includes starter findings; compare their sizes with the guide.
Plus glue from the core kit below.
Glue one to the flat back once the piece has baked and cooled. Never bake a magnet.
Keep loose and finished magnets away from young children and pets; a swallowed magnet can cause serious internal injury, so get medical help straight away. Keep magnets away from pacemakers. Selling magnets? Check the magnet safety rules where you sell.
Plus glue from the core kit below.
A glue-on bar pin that fits fully on the flat back of your chosen size.
The pair you hang on it uses the ball-post drop supplies. The earring post spacers are in the kit.
Use a small nail or screw with a flat head that fits the printed hanger. Follow the guide for head size, wall gap and fixing position.
Follow the tape label for the wall surface, preparation, pressure and waiting time. This projecting assembly has no established tape load rating.
Glues the printed hanger to the back of the baked, cooled display. Keep it out of the slot and let it cure fully.
Hold the ball posts behind the display so the pair stays put. The guide gives the back that fits.
Drills the two earring holes in the baked, cooled display. The guide gives the bit size.
Most makers already own some of these; the rest is your shopping list.
Four colours for the layered mushroom (shown: purple, pink, white and yellow), or one colour for the relief mushroom.
Rolls even slabs between thickness guides.
Set each slab to the height the guide gives, and check it with calipers. Our thickness guides are a separate download.
Lifts thin cut shapes off the surface without stretching them.
Marks the hole centre in the upper yellow spot on the raw stack. It comes with the free ClayBake hole-punch set, which also punches the 32 mm hole.
Drills the hanging hole in the 36, 40 and 48 mm mushrooms after baking and full cooling, with the back supported.
Supports the piece while you press the layers together and bake.
Checks the real oven temperature against your clay packet.
Smooths the edges and back of the baked piece, from 400 grit up.
Glue stud posts, brooch pins, bails or magnets to baked, cooled clay. Jump rings through holes do not need glue. Follow the adhesive label and let it fully cure.
For dry sanding and drilling baked clay.
For drilling and sanding.
Conditions clay and rolls even slabs far faster than a hand roller. Keep it for clay only.
A dab helps a lifting raw layer stick to the base.
Print the card and cutter files to present and sell your earrings.
Print a stand to show your pairs at markets and in product photos.
Prints the cutter files. If buying, compare models for your budget and workspace, and ventilate while printing.
The guide gives the nozzle, layer and support settings. Match the filament diameter to your printer.
Make it your own
See how each piece is finished, then shop only what it needs. The guide covers the sizes and attachment steps; clay and hardware are not included.
Hang each mushroom from a looped ball post on a jump ring through the hole in its upper spot. The guide gives the hole, ring and estimated weight for each size.
See what you need
Cut a 26 mm stud with the base, cap and stem cutters, paint the pressed spot marks, then glue a flat-pad post to the flat back.
See what you need
Hang the mushroom from a necklace chain on a jump ring through its hole, or glue a bail to the back of a relief mushroom.
See what you need
Hang the mushroom from a split key ring, or from a swivel clasp on a bag strap. Keep it decorative: lift your keys by the metal ring, not the clay.
See what you need
Glue a magnet to the flat back for a bright fridge decoration, then check that it holds on your fridge.
See what you need
Glue a bar pin to the flat back once the mushroom has baked and cooled. Dry-fit it first and let the glue cure fully.
See what you need
Press one slab with the relief cutter for a one-colour mushroom. Leave it plain or paint the recesses after baking, and hang it from a glued bail.
See what you need
Pixel Mushroom studs above Pixel Flame drops on a printed display card. The Flame drops are a separate kit.
See the display card kit
Show your pairs on printed earring display cards or a printed stand at a market stall or in product photos.
See the display stand kit
Hang the mushroom from a split key ring, or from a swivel clasp on a bag strap. Keep it decorative: lift your keys by the metal ring, not the clay.
See what you need
Colourway
Keep the same cutters and swap the clay colours, one for each part of the mushroom.
Colourway
Keep the same cutters and swap the clay colours, one for each part of the mushroom.
Cut the same layers at 96 mm for wall art that holds a pair of ball-post drop earrings.
See the wall art displayYou may sell the finished polymer clay pieces you make. You may not sell, share or redistribute the digital files or 3D-printed tools. See the included Maker Licence for the full terms.
If a file is missing, won't open or doesn't match the listing, message us through Etsy messages with the build kit name and filename, and we'll put it right.
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