FABULOUS FRIVOLITIES – geode trinket tray

These FANCY trinket trays are FABULOUS and although they look difficult to execute, they are actually quite simple to make. There is a lot of wait time in between steps for the layers to dry so it is a great project for short attention spans! Tackle a little bit at a time (approximately 15-20 minute increments), and spread out over several days. All the materials used for this project are available at your local craft store.

MATERIALS (makes approximately 3-4 trinket trays):

1 small package Crayola White Air Dry Clay

1 package Gold Leaf Foil or Metallic Gold Paint

Modge Podge Gloss Sealer, Glue & Finish

Acrylic Paints (your choice of colours, we used Aqua, Green, Pink and Orange for our Geodes)

Iridescent Cellophane  cut into 1 inch squares (available at your local Dollarstore or craft store in the gift wrap section)

Paintbrushes

Scissors

Tin Foil

 

STEP 1

Split the package of Clay into 3 or 4 pieces. Taking one piece of Clay at a time, form into circular or oblong bowl shapes approximately 3-4 inches in diameter. The bowl shape doesn’t need to be perfect because the more unusual the form , the more it looks like a Geode. Lay Clay on a sheet of tin foil to dry overnight.

STEP 2

When the Clay has hardened, paint the inside of each bowl in your favourite colour(s). We chose to paint some in different shades of Green & Aqua, some Pink & Orange. You can paint your Geodes one single colour if you wish because once the Iridescent Cellophane is added, the Geode will appear multicoloured anyways. Let paint dry.

STEP 3

Gently crumble then flatten out each piece of Cellophane with your hands. This action will soften the plastic and make the application easier. It also makes the Geode appear more sparkly.

Brush a layer of Modge Podge on top of the Acrylic Paint and lay pieces of Cellophane into the Glue. Cover the interior of the Geode with Cellophane. Add more Glue as necessary. Let the Cellophane come up and over the edge of the Geode. Let dry.

Once the Cellophane is dry, trim the edges that overhang the edge of the Geode.

STEP 4

Flip the Geodes over and cover the exterior with Modge Podge. Glue down pieces of Gold Leaf Foil, adding more Glue and Foil as necessary until the exterior and rim of the Geode is completely covered. Seal the Gold Foil with an additional layer of Modge Podge. (A faster alternative is to paint the exterior with Metallic Gold Paint, however it does not sparkle as much as Gold Foil.) Lay Geodes face down on a piece of tin foil and let dry overnight.

STEP 5

Turn the Geodes face up and pour about 1 tsp of Modge Podge into the bowl. Gently tip and swirl the Geode to coat the interior with the sealant. Add more liquid sealant if needed. There will be a little pool of Modge Podge that collects at the bottom of the Geode. Lay flat to dry for 2-3 days. Once dry, the sealant creates a hardened, reflective surface.

The Geodes are not waterproof so use only for small, dry trinkets such as jewellery, wrapped candies, paper clips, bobby pins, ect… Wrap the Geode with tissue paper and present in a box to make a beautiful and thoughtful gift.

We’d love to see your Geode creations! Tag us on Instagram to share!

#fivefaves

~ Felicia