Copper Marble Tray DIY

Sometimes good things come to those who wait. In early 2015, I started making these marble trays for my friends and family, and even using them for blog backgrounds. Last week, several of you noticed one of the trays in a pic (finally!) and asked for a tutorial! It made my day, y'all!


As is typical with my craft DIY ideas, I'll see something for sale online that's ridiculously priced and will make it myself (like my Press for Champagne or these bracelets). I get this from my late Great Granny Sugar who always encouraged me to make something I wanted myself. Such is the case here. Look at how much these cost:

$290! $187! Forget it. My version can be made for under $20--even cheaper if you don't have to paint anything. While I've made these in different ways, today I am recreating the one in my Instagram pic that was requested. Here's how to make it:

You'll need:

• marble slab/marble tile/something that looks marble--I used a porcelain tile here that was 12x24
• 2 drawer pulls
• 4 copper caps
• Epoxy
• E600
• Ruler, marker
• Optional: copper spray paint, copper leaf pen, felt, copper caps
• You can purchase these items at a hardware store or online.

Spray paint (if needed) drawer/cabinet pulls in a well-ventilated area. Allow to dry fully.

While those are drying, attach tray feet to bottom of tray. I used E6000. Use whatever you would like for the feet. I wanted some height on this tray so my feet are raised. You can attached a copper cap or felt, so it won't scratch the surface of whatever your tray is resting on.

Using a ruler, mark where you'd like the handles to go. In a very well-ventilated area, mix and apply the expoxy to the handles to attach them. Let it set for an hour. I prefer overnight just to be sure.

As an extra step, use the copper leafing pen to fill in the edges, as seen in the pic above, and demonstrated in the video below. This dries in about 10 minutes. And that's it! By the way, the pineapple was inspired by one that was $185. I got this one for $14.99 at Target (it's a candle) and painted it copper.

I am obsessed with trays--I'm dead serious--I collect them. I even put trays on my trays. I use them for all sorts of things and as mentioned in the beginning, they make fab gifts.

I want to note that while I figured this diy tray out on my own, there are plenty of other tutorials out there that make them in different ways. Now, who wouldn't love some morning coffee on a tray like this?

Charlie wants you to watch the video below I made--it's only 3 minutes! Look at that face!! He makes at cameo at the end. Check it out below:

https://youtu.be/rjxatxIaYTY

Do you DIY?

Extra Elle:

• I finally found peonies at Trader Joes and bought them out--some of them are in the top pic of this post. They're my fave.
• Short work today for me. I can get used to these holiday short work weeks! Have a great weekend!