DIY Air Dry Clay Platters
We are in love with the simplicity of the design of these DIY Air Dry Clay Platters. They would look beautiful in any kitchen!
I’ve got a thing for white dishes. I’ve also got a thing for air dry clay. It’s amazing what you can make with air dry clay. I’ve made jewelry dishes, little bunny bowls to name a few. It’s so easy to work with.
Recently I made these platters and am so pleased with how they turned out. I stepped up my hor d’oeuvres game with these. They look so pretty with cheese, bread and fruit on them.
They also look great leaning up against a kitchen shelf or backsplash, or hang them from their little leather handles.
Read more for the full tutorial.
DIY Air Dry Clay Platters Supplies
rolling pin
exacto or small kitchen knife
pencil
sponge
bowl of water
leather shoestring
Instructions:
1. Roll out your slab of clay on parchment paper on a hard surface. Roll out to 1/4 inch thick.
2. Draw out your desired shape onto the clay with a pencil or end of a paintbrush.
3. Cut out your shape with a small kitchen knife or exacto knife.
4. Smooth edges with your finger. Dip your finger in water and rub on edges to smooth out.
5. Draw small circle as your handle and cut out with knife. Smooth out again using same technique as above. Let dry (1-2 days). I like to dry mine with a cookie sheet on top so that they stay flat.
6. Once dry, use a wet sponge to smooth out any rough edges.
7. Sponge paint the varnish on it in light strokes. My friend Fran (an air dry clay master) from Fall for DIY suggests doing three light coats of the food-safe varnish.
8. Cut your leather shoestring and pull through the handle and tie a knot.
Tips for using your food safe platter. This varnish makes the platter food safe, however, it is not indestructible. Please do not cut on the platter. I suggest still putting down little pieces of parchment paper under the food. To wash, simply sponge off with soap and water, do not submerge it.
photos by Melissa Fenlon. all rights reserved.
These look fantastic! I love the look with some munchies on them. Looks like you can also etch in them for a little bit of subtle pattern.
Thanks, Michelle! I love your idea about etching them, too!
Great idea Michelle! Thanks for sharing.
Excellent! Simple, clean, functional, and pretty. I’m glad to know they are food safe, that the varish is easy to get On amazon, and it’s not too expensive.
They look great, but how do you keep them flat when drying? I tried this, but just had big issues with warping.
I dry mine with cookie sheets on top. Once they start to harden, move the platters to a cookie drying rack, then put the cookie sheets on top for the remainder of the drying time.
Do you know of any other varnishes to make the clay food safe? Amazon doesn’t have any Decopatch right now unfortunately
ugh, we don’t – I am sorry!