diy heart jellycat photo holders ♥️🩷

a playful project that turns your favourite photos into squishy keepsakes

a quick snapshot

Foam Clay

Gift

Beginner

30 minutes

why you'll love this project

🎨 beginner-friendly - really quick and easy to make
🎁 perfect for gifting - lovely for valentine’s or best friend gifts
🌈 customisable - all sorts of colours and sizes possible

a quick overview

learn how to make DIY foam clay heart photo holders inspired by the adorable Jellycat style. this beginner-friendly craft is perfect for cosy evenings or handmade gifts. the finished hearts hold polaroids or small photos and add a soft, playful touch to desks, shelves, or bedside tables.

read instructions watch me make it

what you’ll need (everything available from hobbycraft!)

foam clay - light pink and dark pink, or any colours you love
craft knife or clay tool
cocktail stick or skewer
photo - polaroids work really well

tip: keep a real jellycat nearby for inspiration - it really helps with proportions and that soft, rounded feel.

hey, i'm kit!

Welcome to my online studio of arts, crafts, and everything in between! I post regular DIY crafts here as well as on my social channels to help give everyone of every skill-level the opportunity to create beautiful, handmade gifts and decorations. If you want regular projects delivered to your inbox, use the form below, or follow me on socials!

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the idea 💭

I've always had a soft spot for jellycats. there’s something about those tiny faces…

so when valentine’s day started creeping up, i thought it would be fun to try recreating that same cosy, playful feeling using foam clay. the idea was simple: a little heart character that could hold a photo. something cute enough to sit on a desk but personal enough to feel like a keepsake.

I'll admit, I wasn't completely sure if foam clay would hold the photo securely or if the little legs would make it wobble. tiny sculptures can be surprisingly unpredictable.

but once the first heart started taking shape, it quickly became one of those projects that feels joyful from start to finish. and the best part? they’re incredibly easy to make.

so let’s build one.

step 1: shape the heart and create the photo slot

start by shaping your foam clay into a soft heart shape using your hands. keep the edges rounded so the finished piece feels squishy and playful.

flatten the bottom slightly so the heart can stand upright on a surface. this small detail makes a big difference later.

next, gently press a slit into the centre of the heart. this will hold the photo once everything is finished.

tip: keep the slit slightly wider than your photo so it slides in easily.

Hands gently pressing and shaping a rounded piece of pink foam clay between both palms on a wooden table, forming a smooth heart shape for a handmade photo holder.

step 2: repeat the heart shape

repeat the same process using another colour of foam clay if you’d like a second photo holder.

shape the heart, smooth the edges, and flatten the base so it can stand comfortably.

then press the slot into the centre just like before.

tip: slightly different sizes or colours can make a cute matching pair.

Hands using a thin stick tool to press a straight groove into a piece of pink foam clay, creating a slot for holding a photo, with an instant camera and small printed photos visible on the wooden table in the background.

step 3: add the little legs

roll out small pieces of foam clay to create the character’s legs.

form tiny balls for the feet, then attach them to short rolled pieces of clay to make simple legs.

press the legs gently onto the bottom of the heart.

⚠️ watch out: make sure both feet sit flat so the heart stands evenly.

Hands attaching small white foam clay pieces to the base of a pink heart-shaped foam clay photo holder, forming little legs so the holder can stand upright, with an instant camera and printed photos in the background.

step 4: flatten and stabilise the base

once the legs are attached, gently press them down onto your work surface.

this helps flatten the base slightly and stabilise the whole piece.

take a moment to adjust the position of the feet so the heart stands comfortably.

Hands pressing and adjusting the small white foam clay legs on the bottom of a pink heart-shaped foam clay photo holder, stabilising the base so the holder can stand upright on the table.

step 5: add the face

use small detail brush to add the tiny eyes and mouth.

take your time here. the face really brings the character to life.

Hands painting a simple smiling face onto a pink heart-shaped foam clay photo holder using a small detail brush, adding two black dot eyes and a curved smile, with an instant camera and printed photos on the table behind.

the verdict 👩⚖️

these little hearts are one of those crafts that instantly feel joyful to make. the foam clay makes the whole process surprisingly forgiving, which means you can focus on shaping and playing rather than worrying about perfection.

the part that surprised me most was how much personality the tiny faces add. even with the simplest dots and lines, each heart ends up looking slightly different. next time I might experiment with different colours or expressions, but honestly… they’re so cute sitting on a desk holding some of your favourite photos.

faq's

What is foam clay and why use it for this project?

foam clay is a lightweight modelling material that already contains tiny foam beads. it’s soft, easy to shape, and often comes pre-coloured, which means you don’t need to paint it afterwards.

that makes it perfect for quick character-style crafts like this.

How long does foam clay take to dry?

drying time depends on the brand and the thickness of the clay.

generally it air dries naturally over time once exposed to air. if your piece feels soft, simply leave it longer until it firms up.

Will the photo stay in place?

yes, as long as the slot you press into the heart is deep enough to support the photo.

if you plan to use thicker polaroids, just widen the slit slightly while shaping the clay.

Can I use other colours or designs?

absolutely. this project works beautifully with different colours or patterns.

common mistakes

• making the photo slot too narrow

• forgetting to flatten the base so it stands properly

• placing the legs unevenly

share your creation

If you give this a go, I’d love to see your take on it! Tag @themakingbox_ or use #TheMakingBoxProjects so the community can get inspired by your creative twist.