A class molds clay at the Butler Art Center and Gallery. Submitted photo

Stephen Harding, an instructor at the Butler Art Center and Gallery, has plenty of ideas for unique, affordable crafts for all ages. From bookmarks to painted terracotta pots, Harding explained how arts and crafts are a simple way for someone to express their love this Mother’s Day, and offered some examples of thoughtful handmade gifts.

A creative and easy choice of material, Harding said, is polymer clay. It can be molded after being warmed up by rolling it around. Polymer clay comes in many different colors.

“You can make a little bird to set on the windowsill, put a little slot in the back of the bird so you can put a business card size note in there,” Harding said.

The clay can then be heated in the oven, according to the packaging directions, to set. Harding noted this should be done with a parent. Once taken out of the oven, the clay sits to cool and the design hardens, making the shapes permanent. Clay can be used for a multitude of things.

Dog figurines are crafted out of polymer clay. Submitted photo

“You can make your own tic-tac-toe board with nothing,” Harding said as an easy example.

Another unique and easy choice Harding described is a miniature watercolor kit. Making these requires tubes of watercolors, empty cosmetic cases and a brush to paint with when finished. Just squeeze the paint into the case, let it dry for a few days and it can be used to paint on the go.

“That’s a great gift because who would have ever thought of getting a watercolor set?” Harding said.

Acrylic paint is a versatile paint choice for many different crafts. Harding said acrylics dry fast and permanently into material. One choice to paint with acrylic paint is terracotta pots.

Harding said pot painting can be done with or without brushes — just paint the sides and try to avoid the bottom. Anything can be painted on it, even just a simple flower.

“A flower is not that hard, it can be a scribble of white with a yellow dot in the middle and a green line down — there you go,” Harding said.

Hand-painting shirts can also be done with acrylic paint, even with a simple pattern or design. Harding said paint can be put in a paper plate and by just placing a hand in it and transferring it to the shirt, it makes a fun and easy stamp to make a night shirt.

A portable paint set is made from cosmetic packaging. Submitted photo

Simple “gift cards” are a quirky and fun way to give back to mom. Harding said a 3-by-5-inch index card can be customized with a free service for mom.

“This gift card entitles mom to one free laundry service, free dishwashing, one dinner at McDonald’s with me, stuff like that, so you can make several things like that.” Harding said.

A final suggestion from Harding is a bookmark. By punching a hole in a piece of thick paper and threading some ribbon through it, a bookmark can be made in a short amount of time with items already around the home. It can even be decorated with paints or other supplies.

“Put either your hand print on it,” Harding said, “or favorite sayings that mom has said.”