DIY: CLAY MARBLE SMALL DISHES

Inspired by a picture on Pinterest (as per usual) of some marble dishes, I decided to make an Amazon order and create my own clay marble dishes. I used oven bake clay, which I've never used before, but I found it super easy to work with. You can really go mad with these and put your own spin on them because the patterns really are so random - making them really unique creations! These dishes are great for just keeping on your desk or your bedside table and throwing those random little bits and pieces into. And they're hella fun to make.

YOU WILL NEED:

WHITE, GREY, BLACK & COLOURED OVEN BAKE CLAY - SMALL OVEN SAFE BOWL - ROLLING PIN - SOMETHING 

CIRCULAR TO TRACE AROUND - KNIFE - SMALL BRUSH - LIQUID GILDING - GLAZE 

1. Take 2 large rolls of your white clay (I found that I used about 50g of white per 10cm dish), a small roll of grey, a small roll of your main colour, and a tiny roll of your black and any other colours. You can really play with your colours by using similar shades to create a gradient, or use contrasting colours to create a modern look.

2. Combine all of the rolls together and twist/roll them into one big roll.

3. Now roll your roll (word count for number of 'rolls' = 9) so that it is twice the length of the rolls that you started with. Then fold over and twist your roll to create almost a stripe effect on your roll.

4. Repeat step 3 about 3 or 4 times. I find that the more you do this the better, but obviously don't keep going until it's all one colour - basically, do step 3 more than twice but no more than around 6-8. This all depends on how much of your colours you're using. but remember that it's not an exact science.

5. Roll your roll into a ball ('roll' count = 16). Make sure all of your colour is on the outside of the ball and there are no large white spaces. If not, pull the ball apart and squish it back together.

6. Roll out your ball so that it is big enough to trace your circle onto. You want it to be about 0.5-1cm thick. Cut out your circle.

7. Place your circle of clay into your oven-safe bowl (to help guide it into a dish shape) and bake according to the instructions on your clay packet.

8. When it's done, carefully take it out of the oven and let it cool down. When it's cooled, paint the rim of the dish (and the bottom if you like) with you liquid gilding and let it dry - it may need 2 coats, (particularly on the bottom of the dish). You can then seal it all in with a gloss varnish to make it look all shiny and pretty.

The oven clay dries more like rubber than porcelain, but the varnish gives it a porcelain-esque finishes.

So, there you have it! Good luck, have fun, and be sure to tweet me pictures of your clay creations or send them to my email - swatchestheblog@gmail.com :)

(final 'roll' count = 18)