Skills Required: Beginner. You should have a little bit of crafting experience for this project, but not much. You’ll be cutting out clay to shape a dish and then doing some (very simple) hand painting.

I don’t know about you, but I have a lot of nostalgic crafts from my childhood. I went to a Montessori preschool, and for whatever reason I remember a lot of the craft projects we did there . . . even more so than elementary school!

We worked with clay a lot, probably because it’s a tactile, sensory experience for kids. Clay also allows for boundless creativity – you can make just about anything. And we did.

One of the crafts I remember vividly due to its ease: small clay trinket dishes. We cut circles out of clay and decorated them to our heart’s desire with paint.

I’m ready to share that fun idea from my past with you – today. If you love cute little projects that are both stylish and simple, this air dry clay ring holder is a must-try!

Whether you need a chic way to organize your jewelry or a thoughtful handmade gift, this project is easy to make and endlessly customizable.

Even if you’ve never worked with clay before, this project is beginner-friendly. The process is relaxing and fun, allowing you to experiment with different shapes, colors, and designs.

These DIY ring holders are perfect for keeping your favorite jewelry in one place, whether on a bedside table, vanity, or bathroom counter.

Want to make it even more special? Personalize it with initials, floral patterns, or abstract designs to match your style.

Handmade and heartfelt, these ring holders are ideal for birthdays, holidays, Mother’s Day, bridesmaid gifts, teachers, or even as a sweet surprise for a friend who loves jewelry.

The possibilities are endless, and the final product is both functional and beautiful. Ready to create your own? Grab some clay, roll it out, and let’s get crafting!

Here’s the printable how to:

Print

Air Dry Clay Trinket Dish

These cute little ring holders are easy to make, and perfect for holding jewelry and other trinkets.

Course Everyday Crafts

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Dry Time 24 hours hours

Total Time 25 hours hours

Servings 2 dishes

Cost $2

Equipment

• Rolling Pin
• Circle cookie cutter
• Bowl(s)
• Paintbrush(es)

Ingredients

• Air dry clay or polymer clay
• Parchment paper
• Multisurface craft paint colors of your choice
• Clear acrylic sealer Mod Podge – could be another brush on or spray as well

Instructions

• Pull off a piece of clay and roll it around in your hands to warm it up. Using the rolling pin, roll and flatten it out. You will want to have at least a 1/4” thick piece.
  
• Use your circle cookie cutter (or whatever shape you like) to cut the clay to a nice, clean, round shape.
  
• Use a round object such as the bottom of a bowl to shape your clay for it to be rounded – meaning more dish-shaped, and not flat. Place parchment paper over the bowl and smooth down. You can wet your finger and rub it around the clay to smooth also.
  
• If you are using air-dry clay, let it dry for a few hours to a few days, until it has hardened.
• Use a pencil to sketch the design of your choice onto the clay.
  
• Once hardened, paint your details – I chose flowers, but you can decorate with cute animal figures, leaves, stripes, dots – the possibilities are endless!
  
• Seal your piece with an appropriate sealer – Mod Podge works great for air dry clay, and . Let it dry, and you’re done!
  

Notes

Step 3: If you use polymer clay, you’ll need to make sure that the bowl you’re using as a mold is oven safe. You can also use the inside of the bowl for your shaping.

Step 4: If you are using polymer clay, follow the instructions on the package on how to bake your clay piece for it to harden.

Step 7: Use a polymer clay glaze for polymer clay.

If you enjoyed making a air dry clay trinket dish, you might also enjoy these other simple projects and gifts:

Clay Christmas Ornaments • Clay Leaves • Coloring Book Tea Towel • Cottagecore Crafts • DIY Magnets • Essential Oil Storage Box • How to Make Cork Trivets • Personalized Slippers • Polymer Clay Necklace Ideas • Shrinky Dink Keychains

The post Easy Air Dry Clay Ring Holder (Beginner-Friendly!) appeared first on DIY Candy.

Skills Required: Intermediate Beginner. This is a relatively easy project, but you should have some basic sewing experience before starting.

Are your pot holders totally destroyed? I know most of mine are, so when I was out fabric shopping and came across this adorable kitchen utensil fabric I knew I had to have and make a cute DIY pot holder out of it!

This is such a fun and fast project that would make a great homemade Mother’s Day gift. Or you could keep it for yourself to replace some of those embarrassingly stained ones (we all have them)! This is a simple sewing project – way simpler than it looks. Here’s how to make this simple gift idea.

Have fun making your own DIY pot holders! Get the how to below:

Print

DIY Pot Holder

Learn how to make a pot holder, and quilt it, using your fave fabric and this easy tutorial!

Course Sewing Crafts

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 2 hours hours

Servings 1 potholder

Cost $5

Equipment

• Sewing machine
• Ruler
• Sewing scissors

Ingredients

• Old pot holder
• 1/4 yard quilt batting
• 1/4 yard printed fabric for the top
• 1/4 yard terrycloth for the inside
• 1 yard bias tape binding you can make your own or buy it pre-made
• Matching thread

Instructions

• Use a pot holder you already have, and trace around it on a sheet of paper for a template.
• Using a ruler, add 1/2″ for seam allowance around the outside to the template. Then cut 2 of each of your fabrics.
  
• Pin the three layers together two times, one for the top and one for the back. So what I did was taking a ruler and a pencil I lightly drew the quilting lines 1″ apart and then sewed on top of the pencil line. It totally worked for me!
  
• Make the bias tape, unless you purchased it. Cut a 2″ strip of fabric that is diagonal across the width of the fabric. Fold it in half and then fold the two ends into the center so you have a nice finished edge to put the bottom of the pot holder into.
  
• Sew the bias tape onto the bottom of the two pieces.
  
• Sew a loop of fabric into the side seam. Cut a 4″ x 2.5″ piece of fabric, fold it over lengthwise with right sides together, and sew up at 1/4″ seam allowance. After sewing, flip it right side out and then iron it flat.
  
• Fold over so it makes a loop, and then pin it between the layers of the pot holder so it will be sewn nicely into the side seam.
  
• Pin both quilted layers together, and sew all the way around the pot holder.
  
• Trim around the finger indention, between the thumb spot and the rest of the hand spot. Cut into it almost to the stitching. This will ease up some of the fabric tension at that point when you turn it right side out.
  
• Flip the pot holder right side out, making sure to push all the finger spots out from the inside. Run an iron over it to finish.
  

Video

Notes

Step 3: I’m not going to lie – I am not a “quilter,” so I’m sure there is a tool to help you quilt with your standard machine (but I don’t know about it!).

Now that you know how to make a pot holder, let me know if you’re going to try it in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out these other popular sewing projects here on the blog:

• DIY Grocery Bag from a Tea Towel
• Simple Tie-On Chair Cushion
• Unique Recycled Denim Ideas
• Make Baby Burp Cloths
• Unique Quilt Patterns for Gifts

The post DIY Pot Holder Without a Pattern (Quilted!) appeared first on DIY Candy.

Skills Required: Intermediate Beginner. You should have some experience with the tools required. Most of it is cutting straight lines, however, you’ll have to shape a handle. It’s not hard, so if you’re an absolute newbie, just be patient.

We aren’t huge beer drinkers around here, but every now and again we enjoy some suds. While I might not be a beer connoisseur, we do have a few in the family.

I love the idea of making another one of these for one of the guys for Father’s Day (man cave decor), a birthday, or any other occasion that requires a homemade gift. I’m saving this one for me!

This DIY wooden beer caddy is a great gift for the enthusiasts in your family. We actually made several for gifts but also made one for ourselves to take to parties. We can put any bottled beverages in it – not just beer!

What do I love about this beer carrier? It can be made in six easy steps:

1. Make Your Cuts
2. Shape the Handle
3. Cut Angles
4. Nail Pieces Together
5. Sand
6. Finishing

I’ve seen some inexpensive versions of this beer carrier at places like Target, etc. I haven’t been impressed with the construction of the inexpensive versions, and a lot of them don’t have bottle openers.

Of course you could add a bottle opener to the cheap version . . . but if you enjoying wood working (or even if you’re a beginner), this DIY wooden beer caddy is perfect because you can wrap it up in a nice little bow in an afternoon. And this beer carrier is solid quality for only $10 – $15.

Wood to Use

We recommend poplar for these beer caddy plans. It’s so easy to work with poplar, and it’s lightweight and reasonably water resistant (for perspiring bottles). It stains really well too.

If you want to make your project a little more inexpensive, just use pine. You can really use any type of wood – poplar just happens to be one of our favorites.

Here’s what you’re going to need:

Wait until fully dry or preferably overnight before inserting the beer bottles. Wouldn’t this be fun for the person who loves craft beer? You could pick six different bottles and make a variety pack.

We are absolutely thrilled with our finished DIY beer caddy. If you try it, we’d love to hear about your experience in the comments!

Print

DIY Beer Caddy

These wood beer caddy plans are easy to make! Grab them here; it's a perfect gift idea.

Course Crafts

Prep Time 1 hour hour

Cook Time 2 hours hours

Total Time 3 hours hours

Servings 1 caddy

Cost $15

Equipment

• Miter saw or circular saw
• Drill with drill bits 1″ Forstner bit, Phillips bit
• Jigsaw
• 18-gauge nailer

Ingredients

• 1 piece 1/2″ x 6″ x 4′ poplar hobby board
• 1 piece 1/4″ x 3″ x 4′ poplar hobby board
• 1 piece 1/4″ x 1 1/2″ x 4′ poplar hobby board
• 3/4″ brad nails
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper
• Danish oil or stain
• Tack cloth
• Wall mounted bottle opener with two screws

Instructions

• Cut the boards using your saw according to the cut list in the notes.
  
• Shape the handle. Mark the 7 3/4" x 3" piece of wood 1 1/4" from the top and then 2 1/2" from each side. Use the Forstner bit to drill two holes. Connect them with lines at the top and bottom of the circles, then cut those lines with a jigsaw to create a handle.
  
• Cut the angles. On the 9" pieces of wood, mark each side 5 1/2" from the bottom. Mark the middle of each piece at the top and use a 1 1/2" strip to create a point on each side of the middle. Connect those two points with a straight edge and cut the angles with a jigsaw.
  
• Nail pieces together. Use the brad nailer to completely nail the frame together. Attached the angled sides to the base with wood glue and then secure with the nailer.
  
• Align the 7 3/4" piece on top of the handle. Glue together. Attach the handle to the sides with wood glue and nail into place. Apply wood glue to the 8 3/4" sides and nail into the place.
  
• Sand the entire caddy with 80 grit sandpaper to start – then progress to 150 and 220 grit sandpaper to make it very smooth.
• Finish by staining or oiling the caddy and then adding your bottle opener with screws. Let dry before using.
  

Video

Notes

Cut List

• 1/2″ x 6″ board – cut into three pieces: (1)  7 3/4″ in length, (2) 9″ in length
• 1/4 x 3″ board – cut to 7 3/4″ length
• 1/4″ x 1 1/2″ board – cut into five pieces: (1) 7 3/4″, (4) 8 3/4″ in length

If you like our DIY wood beer caddy, let me know in the comments. You might also like the following projects:

House Number Plaque • Industrial Pipe Shelving • Lack Endtable Hack • Mirror Frame • Modern Wood Wall Art • Nolmyra Chair Hack • Outdoor Drink Station • Poster Hanger • Table Lamp • TV Riser • Wood Doormat • Wood Sign • Wood Step Stool Chair

The post Craft Your Own Wooden Beer Caddy in Just Six Steps appeared first on DIY Candy.

Skills Required: None. Children can make the project, however it will require preparation and finishing by an adult. It’s simple and will keep kids busy for a while.

Have you ever wished you could capture the beauty of fresh flowers and keep them forever? Well, with a hammer, some blooms, and a little DIY magic, you can!

This pounded flower tote bag is one of those craft projects that feels a little bit like science, a little bit like art, and a whole lot of fun. It’s an easy way to transfer natural flower dyes onto fabric, creating gorgeous, botanical prints that look almost watercolor-like.

What makes this project even better? It’s simple enough for kids to help with, but the results are impressive enough to gift to just about anyone.

Think Mother’s Day, birthdays, or even a thoughtful teacher or friend gift. Because let’s be real – who wouldn’t love a handmade tote covered in real flower prints?

One of the coolest things about this technique is that no two bags will ever turn out the same. You can experiment with different flowers, leaves, and layouts to create something completely unique every time.

And since tote bags don’t need to be washed often, your floral masterpiece will stay vibrant for a long time.

So, grab some blooms, get your hammer ready, and let’s turn a plain tote into a botanical work of art!

Get the tutorial below:

Print

Flower Pounding Tote Bag

Learn how to make a DIY flower tote with real flowers! This is a fun craft for kids, and makes a great gift.

Course Crafts

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Dry Time 2 hours hours

Total Time 3 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings 1 tote

Cost $2

Equipment

• Rubber gloves
• Board
• Hammer

Ingredients

• Cotton tote
• Alum powder
• Parchment paper
• Masking tape
• Flowers

Instructions

• To help the natural dyes take to the fabric, you need to prepare the bag first. Wash the bag to get rid of any residue.
  
• Dissolve 1/4 cup of alum in two cups of hot water. Soak the bag in the mixture, wring it out, and let it air dry. Iron to get out the wrinkles.
  
• Slip a piece of parchment paper inside to keep the dye from leaking through.
  
• Gather flowers and leaves. If the flower is really full, with lots of layers of petals, you'll want to pluck a bunch off first, so the prints come out nicer. Lay your flowers out on the bag, and secure them with lots of masking tape.
  
• Put the bag on top of your board and hammer away. Make sure you hit every part of the flowers.
  
• Peel the flowers and tape off to reveal your print. Add some additional flowers in random areas and hammer as needed.
  
• When you are done, let everything dry, then put another piece of parchment paper on top of the bag and iron over your design with a hot, dry iron on the highest setting. This will help the colors set in and keep them from fading.
  

Video

Notes

Step 4: The smaller ones that we used are marigolds and petunias, but I’m not sure what the other ones are. The marigolds definitely worked the best. I love the bright orange!

I left the green stems on the flowers, but told the kids not to hammer them. You can try to take them off, but I didn’t want the flowers to fall apart.

Step 5: At first we had some flower prints that turned out just looking like a bunch of dots/hammer marks. It’s a good idea to try it out on some scrap fabric or paper first.

Washing Instructions: You should be able to wash your tote just fine; obviously don’t use any bleach, and cold water is preferred.

For more crafts like this, check out the following ideas – these are some of my favorite for Mother’s Day:

• DIY Mother’s Day Gifts For the Mom Who Has Everything
• Cottagecore Crafts: Add a Touch of Nostalgia to Your Life
• DIY Tote Bag from a Tea Towel in Less Than an Hour
• DIY Mother’s Day Vase with a Free Printable
• Floral Handmade Mother’s Day Card (So Easy!)

The post DIY Pounded Flower Tote: A Fun Craft with Real Flowers appeared first on DIY Candy.