Keys on the counter. A watch on the bedside table. Prayer beads in a drawer. If you searched how to make a clay catch all tray, you want one place for the small things you put down every day. A shallow slab tray does exactly that, and it is one of the easiest air-dry clay projects you can start with.
No wheel, no kiln. One slab, one afternoon, a few days to dry.
Why every UAE home needs one
We come home with keys, a badge, sunglasses, a watch, earrings and a car fob. They end up scattered. A tray by the door or on the dresser gives them a home. It also looks like a piece of decor, not a plastic organiser.
Handmade trays suit UAE interiors well. A terracotta tray on a marble console, a cream one with a teal rim on a wooden shelf. And air-dry clay cures nicely in an air-conditioned room.
The answer: a kit with everything in it
The Sawa Pottery Kit Solo Kit is AED 198 and includes air-dry clay, tools, paints and a sealing finish. That is enough for a 15 cm tray plus a couple of smaller pieces. Free delivery UAE-wide. If you want to make trays with someone, the Duo Kit is AED 228.
Get the Sawa Solo Kit
Solo Kit AED 198. Free delivery UAE-wide.
How to make a clay catch all tray step by step
Step 1: Decide the shape
Round, oval or a soft rectangle. Round is the easiest for a first tray. Aim for 12 to 16 cm across. Bigger trays warp more as they dry.
Step 2: Roll a slab
Knead the clay until it is smooth. Roll it on a clean surface to about 6 mm thick. Lay two pencils either side of the clay as guides so the thickness stays even.
Step 3: Cut the shape
Place a bowl or a saucer upside down on the slab and cut around it with the tool from the kit. Lift the slab carefully with a flat spatula or a piece of card.
Step 4: Raise the rim
Lay the slab into a shallow bowl lined with cling film, or simply lift the edge with your fingers all the way round to make a lip about 1 cm high. Press gently so it holds. A low rim keeps keys from sliding off.
Step 5: Smooth and decorate
Run a damp finger along the rim. Press a texture into the base if you like. Lace, a leaf or the edge of a comb all leave a clean pattern. Or keep it plain and let the colour do the work.
Step 6: Dry slowly
Leave the tray in its support bowl for the first day, then move it to a flat board. Cover loosely with a cloth to slow the drying. Two to four days depending on thickness. Flip it once a day.
Step 7: Sand, paint and seal
Sand lightly. Paint the inside one colour and the rim another. Terracotta base with a cream rim is a classic. Seal both sides with the finish in the kit so it wipes clean.
Step 8: Add felt feet
Three small felt dots under the base protect a marble or glass surface and stop the tray rocking.
For matching pieces, try our guides on how to make a clay jewellery dish and how to make a clay ring dish. If you have not sealed clay before, read how to seal air dry clay.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my tray crack while drying?
Usually it dried too fast or unevenly. Keep it out of direct AC airflow, cover it loosely and flip it daily.
Can I make it bigger?
Yes, up to about 20 cm. Beyond that, roll the slab slightly thicker, 8 mm, and allow an extra two days to dry.
Is it heavy enough to stay put?
A 15 cm tray weighs around 250 grams. That is plenty. Felt feet stop it sliding.
Can I put snacks in it?
No. Sawa pieces are decor only. Use the tray for keys, a watch, prayer beads, earrings or bukhoor. Never food or drink.
Make one for the door and one for the dresser
Once the first tray is done, the second takes half the time. Most people make one for the entryway and one for the bedroom in the same weekend. The Solo Kit covers both.
Order the Sawa Solo Kit
Solo Kit AED 198. Free delivery UAE-wide.