How to Make a Clay Sun Wall Decor at Home (UAE Guide)
The sun is everywhere in the UAE. On sand, on glass towers, on your balcony at 4 pm. So why not hang a small one on your wall? A clay sun is easy to make and looks warm in any room.
Why a Clay Sun Works So Well
It is a simple round shape with rays. That makes it perfect for beginners. No tricky joins. No fragile parts. And it suits the colours of a UAE home, terracotta, cream, and gold. Hang it above a console, a bed, or a majlis shelf.
What You Need
The Sawa Solo Kit at AED 198 has the air dry clay, wooden tools, paints, brushes, and sealant. Delivery is free across the UAE. You will also need a rolling pin or smooth bottle, a small bowl for a template, a butter knife, a straw, and a little water.
Get the Sawa Solo Kit for AED 198. Free UAE delivery.
Step by Step
Step 1: Roll the clay
Roll a ball of clay flat. Aim for about six millimetres thick. Keep it even.
Step 2: Cut the centre disc
Press a small bowl into the clay. Cut around it with the knife. This is the sun face. Smooth the edge with a damp finger.
Step 3: Make the rays
Cut twelve long triangles from the rest of the clay. Each should be about four centimetres long. Keep them similar in size.
Step 4: Join the rays
Score the back edge of the disc and the base of each ray. Add a little water. Press each ray on, spaced evenly around the circle. Work like the hours on a clock.
Step 5: Add detail
Use a tool tip to press lines into each ray. Press a spiral or a small pattern into the centre. Keep it light.
Step 6: Make a hanging hole
Push the straw through the top ray, near the tip. Wiggle it out cleanly. This is where the string goes.
Step 7: Dry slowly
Lay the sun flat on a board. Keep it out of direct sun and cold air vents. Turn it once a day. It needs two to three days.
Step 8: Paint and seal
Paint the disc in a warm gold or terracotta. Add cream or cherry red on the rays. Let the paint dry. Brush on two coats of sealant. Thread a jute cord through the hole.
Where to Hang It
A clay sun looks lovely over a console with a candle and a bukhoor burner. It also works in a hallway near the keys dish. It is decor only, so keep it on a dry wall.
Style Ideas
Try a half sun for a rising look. Add tiny dots on the rays. Or make three suns in different sizes for a cluster.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Rays that are too thin
Thin tips snap easily. Keep each ray wide at the base and about six millimetres thick all over.
Drying too fast
Direct sun or a cold air vent dries the edges first. That causes curling and cracks. Dry slowly on a flat board.
Skipping the sealant
Paint alone can scuff. Two coats of sealant protect the colour and add a soft sheen. Let each coat dry before the next.
Colour Ideas
Gold and cream feels classic. Terracotta with cherry red tips feels warm and bold. Teal rays on a cream disc feel fresh and modern. Test colours on a spare scrap of clay first. A small test saves a lot of repainting.
Quick care tip
Dust the sun with a soft dry brush. Avoid damp cloths on the painted surface, because moisture can dull the sealant.
Common Questions
Why did my rays crack off?
The joins were not scored. Score both surfaces and add water before pressing.
Is the sun heavy?
No. At six millimetres it is light enough for a small adhesive hook or a nail.
Can I make it bigger?
Yes. Use a larger plate as your template and scale the rays.
Do I need a kiln?
No. The clay air dries at room temperature.
Make Yours This Weekend
A clay sun takes one relaxed evening. It costs less than most wall art and it is made by you. Start with the kit and a free table.
Order the Sawa Solo Kit for AED 198. Free delivery anywhere in the UAE.
Related reads: how to make a clay moon and star wall decor, how to make a clay wall hanging, and how to seal painted air dry clay.