Make space
for making

You’ll need: air-dry clay, a rolling pin, a small bowl, a knife and fine sandpaper.

1. Roll your clay to an even thickness of about 5–7 mm. Cut a circle using the bowl as a guide.
2. Gently lift the edges to create a shallow dish. Smooth any cracks with a slightly damp fingertip.
3. Leave it to dry fully according to the clay’s instructions, turning it carefully once firm.
4. Lightly sand rough edges. Leave natural or decorate with acrylic paint.

For dry trinkets only. Keep away from food and water, and avoid breathing sanding dust.

You’ll need: small leaves or flowers, plain absorbent paper, a heavy book, card, craft glue and a hole punch.

1. Place dry, freshly collected leaves or flat flowers between sheets of plain paper inside a heavy book. Protect the book from moisture.
2. Weigh it down and leave for 1–2 weeks, replacing damp paper as needed. Wait until the plants are completely dry.
3. Cut a strip of card and arrange your pressed plants. Fix them with small dabs of craft glue.
4. Let it dry flat. Punch a hole at the top and tie on a spare piece of thread or ribbon.

Choose plants from your own garden or fallen material you’re allowed to collect.

You’ll need: two 12 cm cotton squares, one 10 cm square of felt, a needle, thread, scissors and pins.

1. Place the cotton squares together with their right sides facing in. Pin the edges.
2. Sew around the edge with a 1 cm seam allowance, leaving a 5 cm opening on one side.
3. Trim the corners without cutting your stitches. Turn the fabric right side out and slide the felt inside.
4. Tuck in the raw edges at the opening. Stitch all around the coaster close to the edge to finish.

Use as a cup coaster, not as a holder for hot cookware. Spot-clean and let dry flat.