The tissue box on the side table is the one thing in the room you did not choose. Bright cardboard, a brand logo, a cartoon print. It sits next to your carefully picked candle and ruins the look. There is an easy fix. Make a cover for it.
How to make a clay tissue box cover at home
A clay tissue box cover is a slab building project. You make five flat pieces and join them into an open bottomed box with a slot on top. It sounds advanced. It is not. If you can roll a slab and cut a straight line, you can do this. This guide explains how to make a clay tissue box cover with air dry clay, no wheel and no kiln, using what comes in a Sawa Pottery Kit.
Why make one instead of buying one
Shop bought covers are usually plastic or acrylic and they rarely match the room. A handmade clay cover can be any colour you like. Cream to match the wall. Deep green to match the cushions. Terracotta for a warm, natural look. It is a decor piece you designed for one specific corner of your home. And it is a satisfying weekend project that uses most of a Solo Kit at AED 198.
Get the Sawa Pottery Kit. AED 198. Free UAE delivery.
What you need
Air dry clay, a rolling tool, a cutting tool, a ruler, a small cup of water, paint, a brush and varnish. You also need a standard square tissue box to measure against. Most square boxes are around 12 centimetres wide and 13 centimetres tall. Measure yours before you start.
Step by step
1. Plan your sizes
Add one centimetre to the width and height of your tissue box. That gives the cover a little room to slide on and off. For a 12 by 13 box, you need four side panels of 13 by 14 centimetres and one top panel of 13 by 13 centimetres.
2. Roll five slabs
Roll your clay to an even thickness of about 6 millimetres. Thicker than a bookmark, because walls need strength. Roll slowly and turn the slab as you go so it stays even.
3. Cut the panels
Use the ruler and cutting tool to cut four side panels and one top panel to your planned sizes. Cut the tissue slot in the top panel now. A slot of about 7 centimetres by 2 centimetres works for most tissues. Round the corners of the slot with a damp finger.
4. Let the slabs firm up
Leave the panels flat for about an hour. You want them stiff enough to stand but still soft enough to join. This stage is called leather hard. It makes assembly much easier.
5. Score and slip
Scratch a rough cross hatch along every edge that will be joined. Brush a little water onto the scratched areas so they turn to a soft paste. This is what holds the panels together.
6. Build the box
Stand two side panels up and press their scored edges together at a right angle. Add the third and fourth sides the same way. Place the top panel on last. Press firmly along every seam. Roll a thin coil of clay and push it into each inside corner for extra strength. Smooth the outside seams with a damp finger.
7. Dry slowly
Air dry clay boxes can crack if they dry too fast. Leave the cover in a cool room, away from direct sun and air conditioning vents. Give it three to four days. Turn it once a day so all sides dry evenly.
8. Paint and seal
Once fully dry, paint the cover in your chosen colour. Add a pattern if you like. Let the paint dry, then apply two coats of varnish inside and out. Slide it over the tissue box and put it back on the side table. Much better.
Design ideas
Press a leaf or lace into the panels before assembly for a textured look. Paint a simple geometric pattern with masking tape as a guide. Carve thin lines into the leather hard slabs for a ribbed effect. Make a matching small dish for the same table so the corner feels planned.
Frequently asked questions
Is this too hard for a beginner?
It is a step up from a dish, but it is very doable. Take your time with the leather hard stage and the scoring. The Sawa guide covers joining clay in detail.
How much clay does it use?
Most of a Solo Kit. If you want to make a dish as well, the Duo Kit at AED 228 gives you plenty.
Will it be strong enough?
Yes, if you roll to 6 millimetres, reinforce the inside corners with coils, and seal it with varnish. Treat it like any ceramic decor piece.
Can I make a rectangular one?
Yes. Measure your box, add one centimetre to each dimension, and cut the panels to match. The method is exactly the same.
Fix that corner this weekend
A clay tissue box cover is one of the most useful decor projects you can make at home. Solo Kit AED 198. Duo Kit AED 228. Group Kit AED 288. Free delivery across the UAE.
Order your Sawa Pottery Kit today.
More slab projects: how to make a clay letter holder, how to make a clay business card holder and how to make a clay photo frame.