You want to make something small and satisfying with your hands. A flat round disc is one of the easiest first projects there is.
People often search for clay coasters. The shape is simple. The result is a neat decorative disc you can style on a shelf or a side table.
Why start with a flat disc
A disc is forgiving. There are no walls to collapse and no tricky curves. It is the perfect confidence builder for a first air dry clay project in the UAE.
One quick note before you start. Handmade air dry clay pieces are decor only. Keep your finished discs for candles, keys, jewellery, bukhoor, or prayer beads. They are not made for food or drink.
What you need
You need air dry clay, a rolling tool, something round to trace, a smoothing tool, and paint. A Sawa pottery kit includes all of this in one box, so there is nothing extra to hunt for.
Step by step
1. Roll the clay flat
Roll a lump of clay to an even thickness of about one centimetre. Keep it steady so it dries evenly.
2. Cut the round shape
Press a round lid or cup rim into the clay to mark a circle. Trim the edge with your tool for a clean disc.
3. Smooth the surface and edges
Dip a finger in a little water and smooth the top and sides. Soft edges look finished and feel nice in the hand.
4. Add texture or a pattern
Press a leaf, a stamp, or a fork into the surface for detail. Keep it light. For more ideas see our guide on how to add texture to air dry clay.
5. Let it dry
Leave the disc flat in the open air for a day or two. Turn it once so both sides dry evenly and it stays flat.
6. Paint and seal
Paint your design, then seal it. Our guides on varnishing air dry clay and making air dry clay stronger help here.
Common questions
How thick should a clay disc be?
About one centimetre. Too thin and it can warp. Too thick and it takes much longer to dry.
Why did my disc curl at the edges?
It dried too fast or unevenly. Turn it during drying and keep it out of direct hot air.
Can I make a set?
Yes. Roll several at once for a matching set of decorative discs. The Group Kit at AED 288 gives you plenty of clay.
Do I need a wheel or kiln?
No. Air dry clay needs neither. It sets in the open air on your table.
Make your first piece today
A flat disc is the calmest way to start working with clay. The Solo Kit is AED 198, the Duo Kit is AED 228, and the Group Kit is AED 288.
Shop the Sawa pottery kit and get it delivered free across the UAE.