How to Make a Cute Labubu Doll with Air-Dry Clay — Step-by-Step DIY by Jenna
Intro:Hi there, clay friends! Ready for a fun new project? In this Jenna Clays tutorial, we’ll be crafting an adorable Labubu doll out of air-dry clay. Labubu is a cute little monster character with big bunny-like ears and a toothy grin – and it’s easier to make than you might think. This is a super DIY clay project for beginners, so don’t worry if you’re new to clay. The techniques you’ll learn here (shaping basic forms, attaching pieces, adding details) are the same ones you’d use for any figure – whether it’s a cartoon critter or an air dry clay parrot figurine! 😉 So let’s get started and bring our Labubu to life step by step.
Materials Needed 🧰
Gather your supplies before we begin. Here’s what you’ll need:
• Jenna Air-Dry Clay – Colors: Brown (for Labubu’s body and head), Pink (inner ears and rosy cheeks), White (teeth), and Black (eyes and other details). Using pre-colored air dry clay means we won’t have to paint later!
• Basic Clay Tools – A toothpick or needle tool for detailing, a small knife or craft blade for cutting clay, and a ball tool or the back of a paintbrush for smoothing and shaping small areas. (If you don’t have specialized tools, household items like a toothpick, butter knife, or even your fingers will work fine!)
• Water – A small bowl of water for smoothing and as “glue” to join clay pieces.
• Work Surface – Wax paper, parchment paper, or a silicone mat to work on, so the clay doesn’t stick to the table.
• Optional: A tiny toothpick or wire (about 1 inch) for supporting the head and body connection (helpful if your figure is large), and a clear varnish or Mod Podge to seal the finished piece for durability.
Step-by-Step Instructions 🥣🎨
Follow these steps to sculpt your Labubu doll. (You’ll see that making this little monster uses the same basics as any clay figure or clay bird tutorial – start with simple shapes and build up details!)
1. Shape the Head:
Take a chunk of brown air-dry clay about the size of a large grape. Knead it well until it’s soft and pliable, then roll it into a smooth ball. Gently squish and elongate the ball into an oval shape – this will be Labubu’s head. The oval should be slightly wider at the bottom and a bit tapered toward the top (kind of like an egg). Tip: Always knead your clay thoroughly and warm it up in your hands first. This helps avoid cracks later and makes shaping easier.2. Add Labubu’s Ears:
Labubu has two big, pointed ears on top of her head. Take two small pieces of brown clay (roughly pea-sized each). Roll each into a ball, then pinch one end of the ball between your fingers to form a long teardrop or cone shape – these are the ears. Attach the ears to the top of the head, one on each side, by pressing the thicker end of the cone onto the head. Blend the base of each ear into the head so it stays firmly attached. Tip: Use a drop of water or slip (clay diluted with water) on the spot where you’re sticking the ears. This acts like glue. Then smooth the seams with your fingertip so the ears look like they naturally grow from the head. This will make your figure sturdier and more polished!3. Add Inner Ear Details:
For extra cuteness, let’s give Labubu pink inner ears. Take a pinch of pink clay and split it into two tiny bits (about the size of small lentils). Flatten each into a thin oval. Press these pink ovals onto the inner part of each ear. Gently smooth them down so they conform to the ear shape. Now Labubu has cute pink inner ears! (If the pieces don’t stick right away, dab a tiny bit of water on the brown ear where you want to place the pink clay.)4. Make the Eyes:
Next, let’s create Labubu’s eyes. Use your toothpick or a ball tool to poke two small indentations in the face, about midway down the head and spaced apart (these mark where the eyes will go). Roll two tiny balls of black clay about the size of peppercorns. Place each black ball into the indentations and gently press to secure them. You can flatten them slightly to look like round cartoon eyes. Position the eyes with a bit of gap between them, centered on the face. Instantly, Labubu has that wide-eyed, adorable expression! (If you prefer a different look, you could use white clay for eyeballs and add even tinier black pupils, but using solid black balls is simplest for a cute cartoon style.)5. Create the Big Toothy Grin:
Labubu’s most charming feature is her big smile with tiny teeth. To make the mouth, use a toothpick or the tip of a knife to gently draw a wide smile line just below the eyes. Think of it as an elongated “U” shape or banana shape across the lower face. Don’t cut all the way through the clay—just etch a guideline. Now, for the teeth: take a small piece of white clay and roll it out into a thin snake. Cut or pinch off 6–9 little bits from the snake (each no bigger than a sesame seed). These will become Labubu’s teeth. Roll each tiny bit into a mini cone or triangle shape (pointy on one end, wider on the other). One by one, press these tiny white teeth along the smile line you etched, pointy end facing outward. Labubu typically has nine teeth in her grin, but it’s okay if you add fewer due to the small size – just space them out evenly across the smile. Use the toothpick to nudge them into place if needed. Finally, smooth the clay above and below the teeth line so they sit nicely in the “mouth.” Tip: This part requires a bit of patience! If the teeth pieces are sticking to your tool or fingers, dip the tip of your tool in water. Also, if the clay has started to dry while you work, lightly moisten it to avoid cracks. Take your time – those tiny teeth make the smile extra cute!6. Sculpt the Body:
Now that the head is done, let’s make Labubu’s body. Grab another piece of brown clay, about the size of a small walnut (the body should be a little smaller than the head for a cute, chibi look). Roll it into a ball and then shape it into an oval or pear shape. You want a sort of rounded torso. Gently flatten the bottom of this oval on your work surface so that the doll will have a stable base to sit or stand on. The top of the body can be slightly narrower than the bottom. If you like, you can press your thumb in the front center of the body to create a slight curve or belly shape – this gives the body dimension. The body should be shorter than the head height-wise, for that classic cute proportion.7. Attach Head to Body:
Time to put them together! Position the head on top of the body where it looks right (usually centered on the narrow top of the body oval). Attach the head by gently pressing it onto the body. For a strong bond, it helps to score both surfaces first: use a toothpick to scratch crisscross lines on the bottom of the head and the top of the body, then add a dab of water or soft clay (slip) there. Push the head onto the body and blend the clay at the neck area so it looks seamless. If the head is drooping, prop it up with a small piece of tissue or a tool underneath the chin until it sets a bit. Tip: If your figure is large or the head is wobbling, insert a small toothpick or wire through the center of the neck (half in the head, half in the body) for support. This acts like an internal skeleton. Also, smooth out any visible seam between head and body with a damp finger to prevent cracks later.8. Add the Arms:
Labubu has short, stubby arms that sit slightly out from her sides. Take two equal pea-sized pieces of brown clay for the arms. Roll each into a short cylinder or teardrop shape (about the length of Labubu’s body from neck to halfway down). Flatten one end of each arm piece just a little – this flat end will stick to the body. Attach the arms to the sides of the upper body: one on the left and one on the right, just below where the head and body meet. You can pose the arms however you like: down at her sides, or slightly forward as if reaching out for a hug. Press them on firmly and use your finger or a tool to blend the top edge of each arm into the body so it stays put. Don’t worry if the arm looks a bit flat where it attaches; smooth the joint and round it out. Tip: For a lively pose, bend the arms at the elbow area gently before attaching, so they have a slight curve. And remember to use a tiny drop of water when attaching to help them stick. Blend those seams for a natural look!9. Add Legs (or Feet):
Now let’s give Labubu her little legs. Take two smaller pieces of brown clay (about the size of small peas again). Roll them into short logs or ovals – these are the legs. If you want Labubu to stand, shape each leg into a cylinder and slightly flatten one end to make a foot. Attach the legs at the bottom of the body, towards the front. You can have the legs slightly apart, like two little feet side by side. Gently press and blend the top of each leg into the body. Make sure the bottom of the feet are flat and level with each other so your doll can stand upright (you can press the figure down lightly on the table to flatten the feet and check the balance). If you prefer Labubu to sit, you can attach the legs in a seated position: angle them forward and outward, bending at the hip so the feet stick out in front. In that case, flatten the bottom of the body itself so it sits flat, and just sculpt the indication of feet pointing forward. Either way is adorable! Tip: While attaching the legs, ensure the figure is steady. You might let it sit for a few minutes after adding legs so they firm up slightly. If cracks appear around where you pressed the legs in, smooth them out with a damp finger.10. Finishing Touches & Drying:
Your Labubu doll is nearly ready! Now is the time to add any extra details. You can take two pin-point specks of pink clay and press them onto the cheeks for a rosy blush (place them on the face just under each eye and gently flatten). You could also use the tip of a toothpick to etch a few tiny lines or dots on the forehead or body to suggest fur texture or belly button – totally optional. Once you’re happy with how everything looks, set your finished Labubu aside to dry. Air-dry clay will harden on its own – no baking needed! It’s best to let it dry on a piece of wax paper or a clean tray. Allow 24-48 hours for full drying, depending on the size of your figure. Turn the piece occasionally (every few hours) or at least ensure air can circulate, so that it dries evenly and the bottom isn’t still soft. Tip: Avoid trying to speed up drying with heat (like a hairdryer or sun), as rapid drying can cause cracks. Slow and steady drying at room temperature is ideal to avoid cracks. If you do notice any small cracks after drying, don’t panic – you can fill them with a tiny bit of fresh clay or lightweight spackle and let it dry. Once completely dry, you can also lightly sand rough edges with fine sandpaper.Optional Final Step: If you want a glossy finish or extra protection (especially if this will be a keychain or handled a lot), you can seal your Labubu doll with a thin coat of varnish or Mod Podge. This will also brighten the colors and make your figurine more durable. Make sure the clay is fully dry before sealing.
All Done – Meet Your Cute Labubu! 🎉
Congratulations, you’ve made your very own Labubu doll from scratch! Give yourself a pat on the back – crafting a character like this is so rewarding. Now you have an adorable little monster friend to display on your shelf (or turn into a keychain, gift to a friend, etc.). The skills and techniques you practiced here – from shaping basic forms to adding details and avoiding cracks – will carry over to any clay creation you try next. If you can sculpt Labubu, you can tackle all kinds of projects; you could even apply these steps to other figures. Ever wondered how to make parrot with clay or create other cute animals? Now you have the know-how to do it! Feel free to experiment with different colors and characters. The possibilities are endless when it comes to creative clay crafting. We hope you enjoyed this DIY clay project for beginners and had fun along the way. Happy crafting, and enjoy your new Labubu! 🥰🙌