Ditch the Corkboard and Display Your Polaroids With This Adorable DIY (So Easy!)
A Polaroid is the perfect low-key souvenir to commemorate all your summer fun. The only downside to the aesthetic, retro printouts: They can be an awkward size to display on a typical picture frame.
Let’s be honest, we’ve probably all found random, lost Polaroids deep within the confines of our drawers, or wedged between our desk and the wall after they fell off a corkboard.
That’s why I was so intrigued by a recent TikTok video from Angela (@angelacan) that showcases how to make the cutest clay Polaroid holders, perfect for displaying your candid moments. The best part? She shows you how to substitute specialized crafting tools with items you probably have in your home.
How to Make a Clay Polaroid Display
Supplies:
Angela begins by shaping her air-dry clay into a small rectangle with her hands, using a Polaroid photo to create an indent in the middle, where the photo will sit once the craft is finished. If you have an X-ACTO knife, you can use this to begin carving out the slit for the Polaroid. However, Angela uses an eyebrow razor to get this done. After her main details are etched out, she smooths out the clay with a wet paint brush. To make the stand look like a love letter, she creates a small heart out of the clay, using a tweezer to score it so it sticks to the base, rather than a typical scoring tool. Once it’s attached, Angela smooths it out and allows the clay to dry.
When the clay is completely dry, Angela shaves off the excess clay with her eyebrow razor, to get the stand as smooth as possible. Then, she goes in with acrylic paint, covering the exterior in a few coats of white, and using red paint for the heart in the center. To seal everything, Angela covers the Polaroid display with UV resin and allows it to sit under a UV light. (She recommends using gloves and a mask while doing this to protect from the chemicals and fumes.) An alternative to resin could be using a brush-on gloss glaze, or even covering your Polaroid holder with clear nail polish.
Once the item is properly glazed and dried, it’s ready to showcase your favorite Polaroids. You can also follow these instructions to create your own designs.
Find A Pre-Made Clay Polaroid Display
Etsy is a great place to find similar Polaroid holders, along with a variety of different air-dry clay designs.
This post was a collaboration between Dorm Therapy and Apartment Therapy and originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: This Easy Decor DIY Is the Cutest Way to Display Your Favorite Photos (Perfect for Polaroids!)
