Learn how to make a clay bowl using air dry clay. Clay bowls are perfect to store small things like rings, earrings, loose change, etc and make a wonderful handmade gift.
I have been wanting ring dishes to store my rings, well in fact to store all the jewelry I wear daily, for a while now.
My daughter reminded me that a clay bowl like she made during a pottery class would be great to store my rings. The clay bowl she made is super cute, she made it using a pottery wheel.
I don’t have a pottery wheel, but I do like making little things with clay. So I decided to go ahead and make my own clay bowl. Yay for a clay project!
Ready to make DIY clay bowls?
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How to make a Clay Bowl
Supplies:
- Air dry clay – FIMOair air-drying modelling clay – White Clay
- Small bowl
- Clay rolling pin
- Wax paper
- Clay knife
- Sandpaper or file
Instructions:
Step 1: Open the packaging of the air dry clay and take out a small amount of clay.
You’ll notice that the clay is not white. It will however dry off-white.
Make sure to store any leftover clay in its original packaging inside a self-seal bag with a damp piece of paper towel.
Step 2: Take the ball of clay and use a rolling pin to flatten it about a quarter of an inch thick.
Step 3: Place a bowl face down over the clay.
I used a glass bowl however you can use a cookie cutter instead. If you use a cookie cutter, you won’t need to follow the next step.
Step 4: Use a clay knife or a regular knife to cut around the bowl.
Step 5: Cut a little slit from the edge of the bowl to the end of the clay. Remove the excess clay that you trimmed around the bowl.
Step 6: Remove the clay circle from under the bowl and place it over the bowl.
Step 7: Gently mold the clay over the bowl.
Use your fingers to smooth the edges as much as you can. Keep rubbing the clay until you have a smooth finish. You can also use a little bit of water to help you remove any creases that may appear.
Step 8: Allow to dry.
Mine took 24 hours to dry completely. It went from beige to off-white when it was completely dry.
Step 9: Use a file or sandpaper to file down any sharp edges or rough edges that aren’t smooth enough.
Step 10: Time to decorate your clay bowl with acrylic paint, gold leaf gilding, or simply leave as is.
DIY Air Dry Clay Bowls
I really love how the bowl turned out. Now I want to make a bunch of little bowls. They are so easy to make, the hardest part is waiting for it to dry. Hehe
Good thing I want to make more, my daughters ask me to make some for them because they want small ring bowls too. I don’t blame them, they are the perfect size to store rings. They will look nice next to the rope bowls I made them.
My oldest asked me to add some gold paint to hers, I really like the gold look of this gilded heart ring dish! I think I’ll use lace to add a texture stamp to one of the clay bowls too. I’ll make sure to show you how they turn out. I did it, I made lace clay bowls!
I hope you have enjoy this clay bowl tutorial.
If ever you have made a clay bowl, you may be interested in these pottery bowl painting ideas.
Lynne | My Family Thyme
Thursday 15th of February 2024
Such a lovely project! I am happy to share your clay bowl at this week's Tuesday Turn About Link Party. Thank you so much for sharing!