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Looking for a fun idea for the kids this fall? My boys had so much fun making these so I wanted to share them with my readers! Let me show you How to Make Clay Leaf Bowls! Make sure to check out our other Fall Diys while you’re here!
Supplies needed for this project:
- Air dry clay
- Plastic wrap
- Rolling pin
- Fresh green leaves
- Sharp knife, xacto, or a tooth pick
- Bowls
- Paint
1. Choose your clay and cut off a section of it
The clay that we used is this air dry clay. They have it at Walmart, but you can get it on Amazon, too. I used a sharp knife to cut off sections that we could use. It was very easy to cut.
2. Start kneading the clay to soften it
We started on parchment paper, but quickly realized we needed plastic wrap. The clay made the parchment wet, so it started to disintegrate. Use your fingers to start flattening it out.
3. Use a rolling pin to flatten the clay out
A rolling pin works really well to get the clay to flatten out. Make sure to put lots of pressure on it to get it flat.
4. Add your leaf to your flattened clay
Once you have your clay flattened to the size you need, add your leaf and start to press down all around it. You want to make an impression of the leaf in the clay.
5. Use a rolling pin to press the leaf into the clay
The rolling pin will get the leaf impression the best. Your fingers might not get it even enough.
6. Cut around the leaf
I used a box cutter, but you could use a butter knife, scissors, or even a toothpick, especially if kids are doing this project. Carefully cut around the leaf until all of he surrounding clay is removed.
7. Remove the leaf from your clay
After you have all of the excess clay cut away from around the leaf, you can start lifting the leaf off of the clay.
8. Place the clay leaf into a bowl to shape it
Add some plastic wrap to a bowl and then place the clay leaf into the bowl so it will take on the shape of the bowl.
9. Let your clay leaf dry for 24-72 hours
You will let this dry at least 24 hours depending on the thickness of your clay.
It may take up to 72 hours especially if your clay leaf is very thick.
10. Paint your dried clay leaf
Once you think your leaf is good and dry, you can then paint your leaf.
If it is very thin, you want to be careful because they are fragile. We found that out the hard way. Lol One of my boys painted their leaf green and I painted mine a deep burgundy.
He used a satin acrylic paint from Apple barrel, the color is true green. I used a chalk paint from Waverly and the color is Merlot.
I love how they turned out! What do you think?
I hope you enjoyed learning about this diy and that it inspires you to make some leaf bowls of your own to add to your fall decor! Make sure to join our email family to keep up with what we have going on each week! Thanks for stopping by!
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Want more leaf project ideas:
Check out these dainty leaf earrings in our shop!
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