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Got a bunch of jewelry laying around?
Why not make your very own jewelry trays with air-drying clay?
I love that these bowls are so simple and unique.
This is a perfectcraft to make and sell!
I also love how versatile they are.
Depending on the size and shape, you could make entire sets!
Dont you think theyd make great presents?
you might even have them personalized!
Step 1
So, lets get down to actually making the bowls now.
Once youre done kneading it, grab a rolling pinor a glass bottleand roll the clay out.
check that that the clay doesnt become too thin; otherwise, it will crack when it dries.
But, if you roll it too thick, its going to take an age to dry up.
So, use your discretion to roll it out just rightaround 5mm.
Step 3
Grab a bowl and place it over the clay.
Use a craft knife or cutter to cut around the bowl.
Youll be using the bowl as a mold, by the way.
Carefully peel the excess clay away and set it aside.
Step 4
Place the clay inside the bowl and press it down.
But dont press it in too hardyou dont want fingerprints on it, do you?
it’s possible for you to smoothen out the edges and any cracks that appear quite easily.
Just dip the tip of your finger in water and smooth the surface.
But just a drop, or else the clay will turn sticky.
So, lets have a little fun and work some designs and patterns into the bowls!
Gently peel the chain away.
Can you see that pattern?
Step 6
Grab another bowl and lay it facing down on the clay, over the imprint.
Then, use a cutter to cut the clay around the rim, as seen below.
Gently peel the excess clay away from the bowl.
You know the drill: use your fingers to carefully smooth the embossed clay into the bowl.
you might add a drop of water to smoothen out any cracks.
Step 7
The third design is an all-time favorite.
For this one, youll need to grab a branch with leaves, like the one you see here.
You know what to do next; grab your rolling pin and carefully press the leaf into the clay.
When you pull it away, your clay should look like this.
Step 9
Now, all you have to do is wait for the clay to dry.
The clay should come out of the bowl relatively easily.
If youre facing any difficulties, just use a sharp knife to cut around it carefully.
Step 10
Now comes my favorite part.
Dont you find the process of sandpapering utterly fabulous?
Grab a bit of sandpaper and scrub the sides and edges of the clay to smoothen them out.
Dont forget to smoothen the bottom of the bowl, too!
Use a fine-bristled brush to gently brush away the powdered clay bits out of the bowl.
you could also use a paper towel to wipe off any stray particles.
But you’re able to also use acrylic paint to jazz it up.
A nice metallic color for the rim will certainly boost the elegance of the bowl!
Step 12
The last step is to seal the paint, so to speak.
Grab a flathead paintbrush and paint a gloss or matte-finish varnish over the clay.
Mod Podge is always a popular choice of sealant, especially for acrylic paint on clay mediums!
Just let your sealant work its magic and let the bowls dry completely.
Dont they look like a million bucks?
What you might Use These Clay Bowls for?
you’re able to use these bowls in a ton of different and creative ways.
The fact that theyre so versatile is what makes them such a wonderful project.
