Clay Ring Dish with Gold Leaf Accents
This exquisite Clay Ring Dish with Gold Leaf Accents is the perfect blend of sophistication and style, making it a delightful addition to your bedside table or vanity. The delicate gold leaf details add a touch of elegance, while the unique clay material gives it a charming handmade feel. Keep your favorite rings and trinkets safe in this beautiful dish that not only serves a practical purpose but also doubles as a stunning decor piece. It's a must-have for anyone who appreciates a little luxury in their everyday life.
Materials:
- Air dry clay. I’m using Crayola air dry clay.
- Gold Leaf. I’m using gold leaf flakes rather than sheets. I find it helps with the random look.
- Small dish. You’ll use this to mold your clay, so it needs to be a shape you like.
- Plastic bag.
- A small bowl of water.
- Plastic knife or a clay knife
Take a hunk of clay and start kneading it. I started with a chunk that was about ½-3/4 fist size. You just want to get the clay soft and warm.
Work the clay into a slab. You can use a clay roller, but I just sort of mush it between my hands, like playing pattycake. I also use the table to help me work the clay into a slab. You want to be sure to put something down on the table – like a plastic bag or tablecloth – to protect the surface.
Wrap your small dish in a plastic bag, like a grocery bag. This step is crucial. Without it, you probably won’t be able to continue with your clay ring dish with gold leaf. Ask me how I know.
Form your slab of clay over the back side of the small dish. Make sure to connect edges and seal them really well. If need be, get your finger wet to glue the clay together.
Trim the edges so that they’re somewhat even. I used a table knife (shhh…don’t tell anyone!) but a clay knife or a plastic knife works really well for this.
Remove the clay dish from the small dish. Take care not to destroy what you just made. Carefully pull the bag away from the clay. You should now have a small dish shape. Like magic!
Take a few flakes of gold leaf and randomly apply them to your dish. Do this before the clay has a chance to set and dry. This is what makes it a clay ring dish with gold leaf flakes. The more random the gold leaf is, the better. If you’re asking yourself “Is this enough?” it’s the perfect time to stop.
Set your clay ring dish with gold leaf in a well ventilated, warm area, and let it air dry. This will probably take a couple days. You can speed it up with a blow dryer or a very low oven.
Before the clay dries, you may want to smooth out the edges with wet fingers. This will help you get a smooth rim and look a little more finished.
Once your clay ring dish with gold leaf is completely dry, enjoy it! It’s solid and sturdy, and so pretty.