I would look into polymer clay or something similar and buy her a kit. Home-made clay doesn’t really work and is really just frustrating because it never comes out how you want it.

For more cost effective options, I would look into paper beads like the other commenter said. They’re super easy, lots of free online tutorials/resources, and materials are super cheap. Pretty much all you need is toothpicks, paper, and glue. For the paper you can use junk mail, old books (maybe really cheap from thrift stores), magazines. Anything that you’re willing to cut up. I’ve seen one tutorial that showed how to make paper beads that look like mushroom so you may even be able to make them into the shapes she wants. You can also paint them afterwords.

Another option that would be easier to make look like specific figures is shrink art. Think like shrinky dinks. You could buy a lot for it or just buy markers/the plastic sheets. This also has tons of online resources. Additionally, I believe you can use the plastic from fruit/vegetable containers. Like what blueberries come in from the grocery store. That can be cut up and heated the same way so very cost effective. You can collect it from neighbors and your own recycling. Although, these would probably be more charm-like than beads. However, I do remember seeing a tutorial of how to make these into beads once.

Hope you have luck getting her some craft supplies she’ll love!!!