I am sharing 13 simple fall craft ideas with leaves today that will have you ready to usher in the autumn. For many of us, fall brings treasured traditions like football games, camping, making s’mores, and visiting the pumpkin patch.

One of my favorite aspects of the autumn is the vibrant colors of the fall leaves. The colorful leaves make for a beautiful landscape and also an inexpensive but creative fall craft project.

What can you make out of fall leaves?

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After collecting several autumn leaves from my yard, I decided to make a Gilded Leaf Trinket Dish. It is a simple fall craft idea with leaves that brings the feeling of fall to any room of your house.

Simple Fall Crafts with Leaves

I wanted to create a fall craft that could be used with any color scheme and any style. Whether you are decorating with traditional orange, yellow and red, or a different color palette like blue and white this gilded leaf trinket dish is so beautiful.

With just a few items, I transformed a bit of clay and a few leaves from my backyard into a gilded trinket dish that can be used in several ways, and also used from year to year.

I love how the metallic gold paint adds a bit of glam to my fall decor. This was a very easy and inexpensive project, and something my two daughters’ and I could easily do together.

We had so much fun playing with the modeling clay and hunting leaves from the backyard! They loved seeing how the clay captured the mold of each leaf, and I loved that this simple fall craft could be created with their hands.

Trinket Dish: MATERIALS

Leaves from outside- choose large, unbroken leaves with a little flexibility
Over bake modeling clay
Rolling pin
X-Acto knife
Parchment paper
Baking sheet
Metallic Gold Spray Paint

How to Make a Leaf Trinket Dish

Gather your leaves and other supplies.
Roll out the clay on parchment paper to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness and until the clay is smooth.
Place leaf on the clay and lightly press lead to the clay surface, smoothing out any wrinkles or bubbles.
With rolling pin, press leaf firmly into clay. You can raise the edge of your leaf to ensure the imprint is deep enough.

Use X-Acto knife to cut out leaf shape.

Since clay is baked at a low temperature, you can leave your leaf as is and bake. Otherwise, for shaping as we did, use rolled pieces of parchment paper to lift the edges and shape as desired.
Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.
Place leaves on baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.

Once they are done, remove and allow to cool completely.
With gold metallic spray paint, spray a light coat over clay leaf. Be sure to get the edges well. We were happy with just one coat!

This gold leaf trinket dish has so many uses! This cute and creative fall craft can be used as a decorative item, a catch-all bowl for small trinkets or jewelry, or a candle holder.

I really enjoyed making this simple fall craft with my girls. It was a great way to break up the day and teach them a new skill!

Yield: Two gilded leaves

Gold Leaf Leaves

Bring a touch of the great outdoors indoors with these fun and simple fall craft ideas with leaves! This Gilded leaf trinket dish adds a touch of glamour to your fall decor and is so easy to make.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Active Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Materials

Oven bake white modeling clay
Leaves from outside
Rolling pin
X-Acto knife
Parchment paper
Baking sheet
Metallic Gold Spray Paint

Instructions

Roll out the clay on parchment paper to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness and until the clay is smooth.
Place leaf on the clay and lightly press lead to the clay surface, smoothing out any wrinkles or bubbles.
With rolling pin, press leaf firmly into clay. You can raise the edge of your leaf to ensure the imprint is deep enough.
Use X-Acto knife to cut out your leaf shape.
You can leave your leaf as is and bake. Otherwise, for shaping as we did, use rolled pieces of parchment paper to lift the edges and shape as desired. You can also use an oven safe bowl to shape your leaves.
Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.
Place leaves on baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
Once they are done, remove and allow to cool completely.
With gold metallic spray paint, spray a light coat over your clay leaf. Be sure to get the edges well. We were happy with just one coat!

Tips for this Simple Fall Craft Idea

Once you have the process down, there is no limit to your creativity! My girls have already decided they want to make snowflakes next time we get out the modeling clay.
Be extra careful when piecing together modeling clay in preparation of the rolling step. If you do not get the two pieces merged well, it can cause cracks during the baking process.
The thinner your modeling clay is, the more likely you will end up with cracks.
You can use dry air modeling clay if you would like to skip out on the baking step. You just leave your shaped clay to air dry overnight.

This gilded leaf trinket dish would look fabulous on a Friendsgiving Fall Tablescape or Bar Cart, and if you love gilded crafts, you’ll have to save my Gold Leaf Easter Eggs for a fun project next spring!

Let me know what you have made (or plan to make) using this modeling clay technique, and be sure to check out all the creative projects from my talented friends. You’ll find so much beauty below!