6. Delicate Ruffled Jewelry Dishes
Every vanity table needs a beautiful resting place for rings, earrings, and delicate necklaces. These ruffled jewelry dishes are incredibly elegant, featuring organic, fluid edges that mimic the delicate folds of silk fabric or sea shells. Start by rolling out a thin circle of clay, about six inches in diameter. To create the ruffled effect, use your fingers to gently pinch and lift the edges of the clay circle, coaxing them into soft, undulating waves. The key is to keep your movements light and organic, allowing the clay to drape naturally.
To help the dish hold its shape while drying, place it inside a shallow bowl lined with plastic wrap or parchment paper. This coaxes the center to sink slightly, forming a perfect basin for your jewelry while the ruffled edges flare outward. Once dry, sand the edges until they are silky smooth. For a luxurious finish, paint the entire dish in a soft pastel shade like lavender, blush pink, or mint green. The defining step is the gilding: use a fine-tip brush to apply a shimmering line of liquid gold leaf along the very edge of the ruffles. This simple addition catches the light beautifully, transforming a simple clay dish into an exquisite heirloom piece.