Splatter Paint Trinket Dish — Entertain the Idea

Is it safe to assume we can all agree there are two very distinct groups of bugs? The cute & whimsical category and the creepy crawly category? I am not a fan of the creepy crawlies, even though I know they perform their honorable duties in our ecosystem (so they can stay…outside).

But I have currently been loving the trend of the cute & whimsical bugs being used in design these days. I’m obsessed with these darling cottage tiles. And I can’t get enough of all the brass decorative figurines.

So for spring this year, I wanted to bring some of the brass insect whimsy to my own project. Here’s how to make some cute splatter paint trinket dishes with some extra brass insect embellishments.

I think these would make wonderful handmade gifts for mother’s day, a housewarming gift, or a ring dish for a newly engaged friend!

DIY SPLATTER PAINT TRINKET DISH

You will need:

Acrylic paint
Terracotta clay plant saucer
Paint brushes
Mod Podge
Craft adhesive
Brass insects (I used the small honeybee, medium butterflies, and these ladybugs)

STEP 1: Wash your terracotta clay plant saucer with soap and water and then allow to dry completely. This will remove any dust or residue on the saucer.

STEP 2: Paint your clay saucer with about 3-4 coats of paint (depending on how opaque your color is). Allow to dry between coats.

STEP 3: Setup an enclosed space where you can do your paint splattering. To do this I used an old box I had with a lid and I taped some old ziplock plastic on the sides. This is the best way to contain the mess and not get splattered paint on all your nearby surfaces.

Now dip a paint brush in water and then dip the end into your splatter paint color of choice. Carefully flick your paint brush a few inches above your saucer dish and you should start to see small dots and lines of paint. I found it helpful to flick the brush against your other hand for a more controlled splatter.

Continue until you have covered as much surface as you would like. Don’t forget the sides of your dish as well!

STEP 4: After your saucer has dried for a few hours, use a paint brush or a sponge brush to give your dish a moderate coat of Mod Podge to seal the paint. I used matte Mod Podge for my pieces. Allow to dry 15-20 minutes between coats. Finish with a second coat if you prefer.

STEP 5: Now comes the optional embellishment step! I wanted to utilize these adorable spring-inspired brass insects that I found on Etsy, so I used craft adhesive to adhere the backing of each insect to the bottom of my dish. Allow the adhesive to set overnight, and you’re done!

I don’t know about you, but I can never have enough of these little trinket dishes around the house. They provide the perfect place to set down your keys, store your rings while cleaning the dishes, or to place your earrings before bed on your nightstand. And I thought these fun little brass insects really gave a cute spring touch so they can double as some functional spring home decor as well! Thanks for reading :)

xo Rachael