Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

Clay Studio Series – YouTube Video Review: Air Dry Clay Jewellery Trays with Leaf Imprints

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Air dry clay is one of the most versatile materials for crafters, and in this YouTube tutorial, Jana Storm shows how to elevate it into something elegant and gift-worthy. By imprinting leaves and grasses into clay, she creates stunning jewellery trays with a natural, organic touch.

What the Video Covers

Jana demonstrates how to press different botanical textures into the clay to achieve delicate imprints. She then shapes the clay into small dishes, perfect for jewellery, trinkets, or decorative accents.

Why We Love It

  • Nature-Inspired: Each tray is completely unique, thanks to the natural leaf patterns. 
  • Beginner-Friendly: Simple pressing and shaping makes it easy for all skill levels. 
  • No Kiln Required: This project uses air dry clay, so you can do it at home. 
  • Gift-Worthy: Add metallic paint or varnish and you’ve got a handmade piece that looks boutique-ready. 

Materials Used

  • Air Dry Clay Starter Set 
  • Acrylic Paints (black, colored, gold) 
  • Acrylic Varnish for sealing 

Craft Gossip’s Take

This project perfectly balances simplicity with beauty. The tactile quality of the leaf imprints paired with the possibility of adding metallic finishes makes these trays look high-end without being complicated to make. It’s an ideal craft for gifting or just adding a touch of nature to your own home.

If you’ve been looking for a clay project that combines natural inspiration and practical use, this is one you’ll want to try.

 

Have you read?

DIY Doily Pinch Bowl Set with Matching Platter

There’s something so satisfying about creating a whole handmade set that feels like it belongs together. After experimenting with my grandmother’s doilies on flat slabs of clay, I wanted to see how they would look when pressed onto a curved form. That’s how this set of three doily pinch bowls was born—each one textured on the outside with lace, glazed in soft tones, and displayed together on a matching pink speckled doily platter.

It’s a beautiful way to combine sentimental textiles with modern pottery design. The finished set makes a charming serving arrangement for nibbles, dips, or trinkets, and it doubles as a decorative centerpiece when not in use.

Materials You’ll Need

  • White pottery clay (stoneware or porcelain) 
  • Rolling pin 
  • Crochet doily (preferably a smaller one for consistent texture) 
  • Sponge and water 
  • Small bowls or your hands (to form the pinch bowls) 
  • Knife or clay cutter 
  • Plastic wrap 
  • Kiln access (or community pottery studio) 
  • White glaze 
  • Pink speckled glaze (or white glaze with pink oxide) 

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Prepare the Clay

Cut your clay into three equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball about the size of a small orange.

Step 2: Form the Pinch Bowls

Using your thumbs, gently press into the center of each clay ball and pinch outward, rotating as you go, until you form small bowl shapes. Keep the walls fairly even, but don’t worry about perfection—pinch bowls are meant to have a rustic, organic charm.

Step 3: Press the Doily Texture

Drape a crochet doily around the outside of each bowl. Gently press it into the surface with your fingers or a rolling pin. Carefully peel it back to reveal the lace impression. Each bowl will carry the delicate detail of the doily, almost like a frozen textile pattern.

Step 4: Refine the Shape

Smooth the rims with a damp sponge, rounding off any sharp edges. Leave the outside textured, but clean up the insides of the bowls so they’re smooth for glazing.

Step 5: Dry and Fire

Let the bowls dry slowly until bone dry. Bisque fire them with the platter if you’re making the full set together.

Step 6: Glaze and Finish

For a cohesive look, glaze the pinch bowls in soft white or cream, allowing the doily texture to stand out. Place them on the matching pink speckled doily platter (created using the earlier technique) for a complete serving set.

Styling Ideas

  • Serving Set: Use the three bowls for nuts, olives, and dips when entertaining. 
  • Jewelry Dishes: Perfect for holding rings, bracelets, and earrings on your dresser. 
  • Decorative Accent: Place them on the platter as a centerpiece with seasonal décor inside (dried flowers, crystals, or potpourri). 
  • Gift Idea: Wrap the full set as a handmade, one-of-a-kind present for weddings or housewarmings. 

Why I Love This Project

These bowls carry a story. The lace impressions remind me of my grandmother’s hand-crocheted doilies, yet the final design feels fresh and modern. Displayed together on the platter, they become more than functional—they’re a handmade heirloom set that blends memory with everyday beauty.