DIY clay bowls: easy to make and fun to give
![An assortment of different handmade clay bowls and a card that says,](https://ideas.hallmark.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/17974_DIYClayBowls_1.jpg)
“The perfect craft doesn’t exist.” Welp, explain these DIY clay bowls, then. 😎
They take just minutes to make, which means it’s super easy to create a bunch and keep them on hand. Plus, paired with simple add-ons like jewelry, candles or plants, they make thoughtful gifts with a sweet, personal touch. See how to make two different kinds of bowls with our simple directions below!
Inspired? Create and share by tagging @HallmarkStores.
First, grab your DIY clay bowl supplies:
• Oven-bake clay
• Acrylic craft paint
• Stiff toothbrush
• Scrap paper
• Craft knife
• Ruler
• Clay blending tool (or you can use your fingers)
• A variety of small glass bowls (oven-safe if needed)
• Rolling pin
• Sheet pan
• Baking parchment
Pro tip: Make a bunch in several sizes and stash them in your gift closet.
Next, prepare your clay:
If needed, follow the package instructions to condition your clay. Once you’ve warmed up the clay, make a ball and flatten it with a rolling pin on a piece of parchment. Roll to about 1/4″ thick.
Make your bowls
To make a simple round base, place a glass bowl upside down on the clay and trace around the edge with a craft knife.
To make an oblong-shaped base, use a bowl to create the rounded ends by tracing around just half of the bowl with a craft knife. Then move the bowl a few inches away and trace around the opposite half of the bowl. You’ll now have two half circles (rounded ends) facing each other. Use a ruler to connect the two rounded ends, or for a handmade look, cut the sides freehand.
Next, using a ruler as a guide, you’ll cut a strip long enough to wrap around the base. This will be the sides of your dish.
Since it can be kinda hard to measure circumference (without geometric formulas, anyway), a piece of string or a cloth tape measure might be helpful here!
Wrap the side piece around the base and use the craft knife to cut off any overlap.
Use the blending tool or your fingers to smooth the seams together on the inside where it meets the base.
Pro tip: If you’d like to make your vessel more leak-proof, roll a thin, skinny snake of clay with your fingers and press into the inside seam. Blend it down into the base and up into the side.
Make sure to also smooth the seams on the outside where you joined the side piece together.
Next, preheat your oven according to the package directions for the clay.
Place the bowls on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake according to instructions.
Pro tip: Make a foil tent to cover the pieces—this will help make sure the pieces don’t brown or burn from the heat.
Another method: Baking clay in oven-safe glass bowls
This method requires a little less blending, since you’re relying on the bowl itself to hold the shape of the clay while it bakes.
The key here is to make sure the bowl you’re using is oven-safe—do not use a cereal bowl or other ceramic or porcelain bowl.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Trace an oven-safe glass bowl with a craft knife.
2. Press the circle of clay into the bottom of the bowl.
3. Use the craft knife to level the sides and smooth the edges with your fingers or the blending tool if needed.
4. Place the bowl with the clay inside on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake according to directions above for ONLY five minutes.
5. After five minutes, carefully remove the bowl from the oven and allow it to cool enough to touch. Run a craft knife between the clay and the bowl to release it.
6. Place your clay bowl back on the parchment-covered tray and bake for the remaining time (according to package instructions).
How to spatter-paint your DIY clay bowls
In a bowl, dilute some paint with a little bit of water. Practice your spatter technique on the piece of scrap paper first by dipping the bristle tips of the toothbrush into the paint, then trying some of these methods:
• Wrap your fingers around the head of the toothbrush and firmly scrape your thumb across the bristles in one direction to “spray” the paint.
• Try pointing the bristles down and tapping the back of the brush.
• To make bigger dots, gently touch the bristles directly on the clay.
The goal is to make dots of different sizes instead of streaks—so practice until you get the right ratio of water to paint.
Be sure to keep dipping your toothbrush into the water and paint mix. Keeping the brush wet is a key part of spatter painting.
As far as when to paint your DIY clay bowls, you can paint them before or after you bake them.
• Paint before baking if you don’t want to wait for the paint to dry.
• Paint after baking if you want to see what color the clay is when it dries, before deciding on what colors to use when spatter painting.
If you choose to paint after baking or decide to give the bare clay a base coat for some sheen or gloss, just make sure the clay is completely cool before painting.
Pro tips:
• If you plan to use your DIY clay bowl as a planter, poke a hole in the bottom before baking.
• Use sandpaper after baking to smooth out any rough patches.
![An assortment of handmade clay bowls.](https://ideas.hallmark.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/17974_DIYClayBowls_15.jpg)
Gift ideas for your DIY clay bowls
You can totally just give a set of your beautiful bowls away as presents without extra items included. But to plus it up even more, we suggest adding:
- Mini cards
- Luggage tags, if they’re always on the go
- Plants, plant seeds or these DIY plant markers, pins and tags.
- Cute rings, earrings and other jewelry like we mentioned above. We love handmade friendship bracelets for a personal touch!
- A recipe you love handwritten on pretty stationery.
- Candles
- Cute magnets to stick on the fridge
- Little photos of you and the recipient, or random silly ones you like.
- Stickers
- Tiny bookmarks
- Mini ornaments, especially these ridiculously adorable magnetic Better Together ones
- Mini nail polishes
- Tea or hot cocoa packets
- Keychains
- Scented hand sanitizers
- Bath soap bars
- A special pastry
- Lip balms
Note: Don’t use dishes made of polymer clay for burning Palo Santo or stick incense, or for serving food.
We hope you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and start crafting some DIY clay bowls! Make and save these for your next gifting occasion for a personalized gift they won’t forget. ❤️
Still in a crafting mood? We’ve got tons of DIYS to try next, like:
Shop Arts & Crafts
See allYou may also like
See more-
Valentine's Day crafts for kids
Whether it’s for their classroom party or for neighbors, teachers, coaches or grandparents, find ideas for Valentine'...
-
Anniversary 25th wedding anniversary gift ideas
Traditional: Silver Modern: Silver
-
Easter Easter crafts for all ages
Our Easter crafts for all ages are quick-like-a-bunny to make—just print the templates and easy step-by-step instruct...
-
Card Ideas "Thinking of you" messages: What to write in a "thinking of you" card
There comes that awkward point when it’s been a while since you’ve talked to someone you care about, and you want to ...
-
Baby New baby wishes: what to write in a baby card
In life, it just doesn’t get much happier than the arrival of a new baby. One moment, there is simply the dream of th...
-
Anniversary 100+ anniversary date ideas for every couple and every budget
Whether you’ve been married for a year or dating for several, your anniversary is a big day that deserves to be celeb...
-
Friends 70 friendship quotes to share with your BFFs
Friends—they're our lifesavers, butt kickers and memory keepers. They hold us down and lift us up no matter what. Som...
-
Christmas 50 ways to spread holiday cheer and bring joy to their world
The holidays are so very full of wonder: twinkling lights, happy music, above-average kindness to our fellow humans…a...
-
Card Ideas How to address an envelope
Not long ago, dropping a note in the mail was part of everyday life. Now we communicate instantly with texts, emails,...
-
Friends What is Friendship Day?
It’s pretty easy to figure out that Friendship Day is all about taking time to feel grateful for our friends. But if ...
-
Sympathy Sympathy messages: What to write in a sympathy card
Signing a sympathy card isn’t easy. We search for words. We wonder what would be comforting to hear. We worry about s...
-
Anniversary 26th wedding anniversary gift ideas
Traditional: Jade Modern: Artwork
-
Thank You Gratitude for educators: Teacher appreciation ideas that mean the most
Any time of year is a good time to be thinking about teacher appreciation. But before we begin, take a moment to thin...
-
Graduation Boot camp graduation: How to congratulate (and appreciate) a new recruit
Find ways to congratulate and support someone who completed boot camp graduation.
-
Faith How to attend a bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah: A guide for non-Jewish guests
How to attend a bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah.
-
Parties & Entertaining 50+ reasons to have a party
What are reasons to have a party? We’d like to humbly propose that a lowering of the party bar is in order.
-
Christmas 80 ideas for holiday family traditions
Find 80 ideas for holiday family traditions.
-
Lifestyle 10 tips to make time for relationships
Here are 10 of our favorite tips to make time for relationships and the people you care about most.
-
Arts, Crafts & DIY DIY fall decor that's ridiculously easy (and cheap)
These two DIY fall decor pieces just take a few craft supplies and a little time.
-
Fall How to make a papel picado for Día de Muertos
How to make a papel picado.