DIY Wavy Clay Trinket Dish

In this post, I’ll be sharing a quick and simple DIY project for a set of personalized wavy trinket dishes.

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Today’s project is my favorite type of DIY… easy, aesthetic, and customizable.

I’ve made marbled clay bowls and catchall trays in the past. But lately, I’ve been loving the more organic shapes that have popped up in the world of home decor, specifically in pottery and dishware.

So I found my clay stash and came up with my own mini version of the trend: wavy edge trinket dishes, ideal for rings, jewelry, crystals, keys, or any small object that deserves a cute little spot to live in.

Let’s get into it!

MATERIALS

polymer clay (I am using the color “5101 Pearl” by Sculpey Premo brand)
liquid leaf paint + craft brush
Mod Podge
small bowl or dish (oven safe)
letter stamp set
recommended: ceramic tile or surface to work on

HOW TO

Start by warming up the polymer clay. This part may take some time, but it’s necessary to get the right consistency to work with. Start by rolling the clay into a ball in your hand, then use a rolling pin (or any type of cylindrical object) to flatten the ball out into a rough circle or oval shape. The best part about this DIY is that it’s meant to look organic, so there’s no need to fuss about making anything too perfect. Tip: I find it’s much easier to work with polymer clay on a ceramic surface or tile.

At this point, you can add some customization! I used a set of letter stamps to press my last name into the clay.

Here are some ideas that would also make great personalized gifts:

bridal shower with the brides new last name (perfect for her wedding rings)
instead of letters, use numbers to mark a special date, birthday, or even coordinates to an significant place
first and last initials

Next, find a small bowl or dish with some depth to it – enough to allow the edges of the clay to fold up a bit. Then take your fingers and carefully shape/mold the wavy edges. Make sure the bowl you use is oven-safe. You will be baking the clay as-is inside the bowl.

The best part about polymer clay is that it doesn’t dry out quickly, so you have plenty of time to shape it and play around until you’re happy with the design before locking it in with baking.

Then, follow the baking instructions on your polymer clay packaging. Mine called for baking at 275 °F for 30 minutes. You will be placing the bowl/dish (with your polymer clay inside) directly into the oven.

When you take it out of the oven, leave the clay inside the bowl/dish that you baked it in until it’s completely cooled off. It may feel a bit soft to the touch, but it will fully harden when it cools.

Note: clay color may darken slightly after baked. Do not overbake because the clay is more prone to cracking/breaking when it cools.

The last few steps are optional but I highly recommend them for a more finished look.

Take some liquid gold leaf (you can also use a gold paint pen, but I found liquid leaf is the best for this) and paint along the edges of the dish.

You can also add a thin coat of Mod Podge to the entire dish. If you do this, I recommend using the “gloss” finish Mod Podge to keep the gold rim nice and shiny.

And that’s it!

I made 3 because I wanted to try out different clay thicknesses. Plus, I just like to see things in sets of 3. A set like this would also make a great handmade gift, maybe paired with some jewelry or a small collectible item.

The soft cream/bone clay color I used has a slightly pearlescent finish which I LOVE! But now I really want to make a few more in different color combinations, and also larger in size. How cute would this look styled on a coffee table?!

This DIY project for personalized wavy trinket dishes is not only quick and simple, but also leaves room for so much creativity and customization.

With just a few steps, you can create a set of unique and trendy dishes that make the perfect spot for your small treasures. And with the option to add a touch of gold or personalize with letter stamps, these dishes also make great gifts for any occasion.

Click here to see a full list of my FAVORITE crafting tools and materials!

Looking for more inspo!? Check out my Pinterest for tons of lifestyle, DIY, and crafting inspo… updated daily!

This post was all about a DIY clay trinket dish. If you like this content, check out these posts below!
– Custom Jewelry 101: A Beginner’s Guide to DIY Jewelry Making
– DIY Beaded Phone Charm Strap
– DIY Pearl Scarf Necklace

Xx Laura

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