This Gorgeous DIY Will Forever Change Your Table Decor
Not to get all Sandra Lee, à la her Food Network Semi-Homemade days, on you, but I do truly love a tablescape. And, frankly, I didn't even know what a tablescape was until I watched Lee's show week after week. The woman has a gift for creating themed tables using a lot of stuff you can probably find around your house. Similarly, I'm in awe of crafters who can make table accessories on the cheap yet achieve a more expensive-looking result.
All of this to say my mouth dropped when I saw the absolute cutest DIY piece on TikTok that actually looks like something I can do at home without it becoming a Pinterest fail.
Michelle McRae (@shellydoesdiy) always comes up with the most clever and cute "Hey, why didn't I think of that?" DIY decor on her TikTok account. But this latest tutorial might be my favorite. In the clip, McRae shares how she makes a sweet little silverware holder from clay and napkins.
@shellydoesdiy Clay + napkin → DIY decor magic The prettiest handmade gift idea that's so easy and so affordable but looks high-end Roll out nontoxic polymer clay, trim, mold + bake. Add napkin pieces with Mod Podge, then seal with glaze or a food-safe resin for that glossy, high-end finish. inspo: @beyzakapc #easydiy#CraftTok#DIYDecor#BudgetDIY#KitchenDecor
original sound - ShellyChicBoutique
First, she rolls out nontoxic polymer clay, then cuts it into strips. In the particular style McRae shows here, she trims the ends of each strip so that they look like the edge of a ribbon. That just adds to the whimsical look.
To create the segments for each piece of silverware (a fork, a spoon and a knife), McRae uses thin markers to space them perfectly. Then the whole situation goes into the oven.
How Long Do You Have to "Bake" the Piece?
Baking polymer clay is pretty straightforward, but the biggest thing is not assuming all brands are exactly the same. Most polymer clays bake between 265°F and 275°F, and a good rule of thumb is about 15 to 30 minutes per ¼ inch of thickness, which applies here.
Don't panic if your piece feels a little soft right out of the oven. Polymer clay firms up more as it cools, so give it time before declaring defeat.
How Do You Apply the Print?
McRae adheres her selected paper napkin (just one layer of the napkin with the design on it) to the clay piece after it has cooled with some Mod Podge. Then she seals it with glaze or a food-safe resin, giving it a glossy finish that feels and looks like something you'd buy in a high-end boutique.
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This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 3:05 PM.