Fall Fun DIY: Clay Leaf Plates

As fallen leaves blanket your yard, instead of raking them all for garbage day pickup or the compost pile, use them to create fall decor for your home. Clay leaf plates are a fun DIY for creating fall-inspired storage for keys, jewelry, spare change, and other knick-knacks. 

Supplies

• Air Dry Clay
• Leaves (Larger sized leaves are best)
• Clay roller
• Craft knife
• Metallic Acrylic Paint (use the fall color palette as inspiration for paint color choices) 
• Gloss Varnish, such as Mod Podge
• Paint Brushes in Small and Medium Sizes

DIY Steps:

1. Take a small chunk of clay and roll it out so that it’s flat and thin. You want to ensure that the clay is large enough for the entire leaf to fit on it. 
2. Place the leaf facing upwards onto the clay. 
3. Use the roller to gently press the leaf into the clay. 
4. Carefully trim the edges of the clay surrounding the leaf using the craft knife leaving out the leaf’s stem. 
5. Begin with the stem and slowly peel the leaf off the clay. 
6. Gently roll up the edges of the stamped clay and leave it to dry with the pattern facing up for 24 hours, and once hardened, flip it over for the other side to dry. For a bowl-shaped dish: lift the clay and place it inside a bowl with the leaf pattern facing upwards. Leave it to dry overnight. Then flip the bowl over and return that clay to the bowl with the leaf pattern facing downwards. Leave it to dry overnight. 
7. Once the clay has hardened, use the small paintbrush and metallic acrylic paint to trace the vein lines molded into the clay from the leaf. Let the paint dry completely. Alternatively, you could paint the entire clay leaf plate. 
8. Once the paint has dried, use the medium paintbrush to apply a few thin layers of varnish to the clay leaf plate. This will help strengthen the clay and add a finished shine to your creation.

These fall clay dishes would make great, unique additions to your coffee table or mantel this autumn. If you choose to make your own clay leaf plates, we would enjoy seeing your photos. Tag us on social media and use #DIYingwithHRI.