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Clay Leaf Bowls Fall Craft That Also Make Pretty Candle Holders

November 20, 2017 By Laura Leave a Comment

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One of the most distinguishing symbols of fall for me are leaves and their changing colors during this time of year.  I wanted to create some pretty clay leaf bowls that could serve as small bowls for holding keys or jewelry, could be used as decorations, and could even be turned into candle holders to add a nice warm glow to those cool fall nights.

DIY clay leaf bowls and tealight holders made from air dry clay. Kids and adults will both love this fun and pretty fall craft!

These clay leaf bowls were actually much simpler, and turned out better, than I even imagined!  This is a great fall craft for kids and adults alike.  The hardest part is waiting patiently for the clay leaves to dry so you can paint and personalize them.

I chose to paint my diy clay leaf bowls in beautiful metallics, but deep reds, oranges, and yellows would be nice too.

My friends at Oriental Trading Company sent me some air dry clay and mini rolling pins for this craft that worked perfectly.  The mini rolling pins were just the right size for the leaves, and perfect for smaller hands if you have kids creating with you.  They have lots of Thanksgiving supplies and supplies for all the holidays and celebrations!

If you’d like to order from Oriental Trading, we’ll both get $10 off plus free shipping on $49 when you click on my referral link. Score!

Metallic clay bowls diy for fall and Thanksgiving

Clay Leaf Bowls DIY

Supplies:

  • Crayola Air Dry Clay
  • Rolling pin
  • Large leaves
  • Small scissors
  • Small bowl (to dry the leaf in)
  • Foil
  • Craft paint (I used a metallic gold and bronze)
  • Paintbrush

STEP 1.  Find some large leaves that aren’t torn that are fresh.  I found that dry leaves don’t leave as good of an impression in the clay.

You can make this fun by going to the park and finding a collection of your favorite leaves, or even searching the trees in your own yard like I did.  If you’re doing this with kids, you can also turn it into a fun science lesson by identifying which trees have which kind of leaves, why the leaves change colors in the fall, etc.

Clay leaf bowls fall craft for kids and adults

STEP 2.  Take a medium-size piece of clay and roll it out a bit thicker than you would like your finished leaf to be.  Place your leaf onto the clay, then use your fingers to gently press the leaf into the clay.

Clay leaf bowls tutorial

Use the rolling pin to roll over the leaf to leave an imprint in the clay.  Pick up the clay and use a small pair of scissors to cut around the edge of the leaf.

Clay leaf bowl diy fall craft

Very carefully remove the leaf, starting with the stem.  Look at all the veins and amazing detail that is on your clay leaf now.  Isn’t it gorgeous?

Clay leaf bowls diy, the perfect fall craft for adults and kids

If for some reason you make a mistake, just roll our your dough and start over again.  No big deal!

Clay leaf bowl tutorial from air dry clay

STEP 3.  Place the clay leaf in a foil-covered small bowl.  Curl up the sides of the leaves along the edges of the bowl so the leaves are rounded like a bowl or to hold tealight candles.  Let dry for a day or two until completely hard and dry.

Clay leaf bowls tutorial, perfect for fall! Make these gorgeous clay bowls out of air dry clay. SO easy it makes a great fall kids craft too.

STEP 4.  Once your leaves are dry, it’s time to paint.

Metallic leaf clay bowls tutorial

I used metallic gold and bronze paints on my leaves.  Let dry.

Clay leaf tealight holder diy

Now it’s time to display your beautiful clay leaf bowls!  As I mentioned before, you can use them to hold small household items, place them around the house as decorations, or place small tealight candles on them and use them as clay leaf candle holders.

Metallic clay leaf candle holder diy and Thanksgiving table ideas for Thanksgiving dinner

I used them for our Thanksgiving table as candle holders when I shared my delicious turkey cheese ball recipe.  It’s the perfect easy Thankgiving appetizer and looks great on the table!

Metallic clay leaf bowl and Thanksgiving table ideas and place setttings

I also scattered a few around the table for lovely fall decorations.  I think the bronze ones are my favorites!

Metallic clay bowls diy for fall and Thanksgiving

Any way you use them, they are a great way to enjoy the beauty of fall and nature year round.

For more creative fall and Thanksgiving ideas, you’ll love these-

Turkey cheese ball recipe for Thanksgiving

Turkey Cheese Ball Recipe and Thanksgiving Table Ideas

Metallic Painted Acorns

DIY Metallic Painted Acorns

DIY Thanksgiving Wood Peg Dolls

DIY Thanksgiving Pilgrim and Indian Wood Peg Dolls

Fall stovetop potpourri recipe

Fall Stovetop Potpourri Recipe

Fall party and acorn Oreo cookie balls

Fall Party + Acorn OREO Cookie Balls Recipe

Happy fall!

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About Laura

Hi! I'm Laura, owner and creator of Make Life Lovely, a creative blog filled with creative craft tutorials, DIY projects, party tips, holiday ideas, home decor, and so much more! Make Life Lovely is dedicated to making everyday life more lovely, and I hope to inspire you and show you how!

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