DIY: Jewelry Tray Takes the Form of a Leaf
Make a home for earrings, keys and other small items out of tropical foliage and easy-to-mold clay
Working with clay is really relaxing. Shaping wood is a battle, as it needs to be cut and lathed, but clay is easy to mold, making everything more fun.
To make these gorgeous DIY trays, we recommend using air-dry clay or polymer clay since neither requires a kiln. Instead, these clays can be air-dried or dried in a regular oven, respectively.
I usually work with air-dry clay because it is natural and feels like working with traditional clay. Polymer clay smells and feels different.
To be comfortable, you should do this project at a table or a writing desk with a smooth surface, not a rustic wooden one. Don’t worry about stains: You can get rid of them easily with a wet cloth.
I usually work with air-dry clay because it is natural and feels like working with traditional clay. Polymer clay smells and feels different.
To be comfortable, you should do this project at a table or a writing desk with a smooth surface, not a rustic wooden one. Don’t worry about stains: You can get rid of them easily with a wet cloth.
Tools and Materials
- Air-dry or polymer clay (for polymer, dry as directed on the package)
- Rolling pin
- 2 wood strips of equal thickness (about ⅜ inch)
- Leaves from Monstera deliciosa, also known as split-leaf philodendron and Swiss cheese plant. Choose leaves with a relatively unbroken outline and the tropical plant’s characteristic small holes. I used a leaf with an unbroken outline and another with openings, and got a nicer result with the former.
- Clay-sculpting tool or wooden toothpick
- Baking parchment
- Sponge
- Paper towels
- Bowl to be used as a mold
- Sandpaper
Instructions
1. Knead the clay into a dough.
1. Knead the clay into a dough.
2. Gently press the clay with the rolling pin to flatten it.
3. When the clay is about three-quarters of an inch thick, place a strip of wood on each side and resume rolling it out. Use the strips as guides to ensure that your clay has a uniform thickness.
4. Put a leaf on the clay and trace its outline using the clay-sculpting tool or toothpick.
5. Remove the leaf and cut out the tray along the outline.
6. Since the tray is still fragile, carefully place it on the baking parchment to avoid any damage. Moisten the sponge with a little water and run it over the edges to smooth them out and remove any imperfections.
7. To give the tray a more realistic touch, draw the veins of the leaf. Then go over these lines with the wet sponge. Take your time and be gentle.
Tip: Start by drawing barely visible lines that you can easily rub away with the sponge if need be. When you are satisfied with the design, retrace the lines with more pressure to make them clearly visible.
8. Put some paper towels into the bowl you are using as a mold, and then put the clay leaf, still on the parchment, inside. Shape it to the mold.
9. Let the tray air-dry in the mold until it hardens. How long this takes depends on the humidity. I recommend waiting at least 72 hours before you take it out of the mold. You’ll notice that the clay whitens as it dries.
10. Once the tray is completely dry, go over it with sandpaper to remove any imperfections and create a surface that is as smooth as possible.
10. Once the tray is completely dry, go over it with sandpaper to remove any imperfections and create a surface that is as smooth as possible.
In this picture, you can see two dry and ready-to-use jewelry trays. They are gorgeous in their original white, but you can also paint them with acrylic paint or apply a couple of layers of varnish to give them extra protection. Then use them to store your favorite trinkets or as decorative trays.
Monstera deliciosa is a great choice thanks to its spectacular leaves, but I’m sure the result would look just as nice if you use other foliage as a template.
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Monstera deliciosa is a great choice thanks to its spectacular leaves, but I’m sure the result would look just as nice if you use other foliage as a template.
More
Houzz TV: 6 Items That Solve Your Jewelry Organization Problems
Browse other DIY projects