I have a collection of cherished crochet pieces and lace tablecloths that have been passed down through generations. My mother gave them to me, telling me they had once belonged to her mother. For years, I’ve kept these items, but most are now stained or torn, so they’ve been stored away out of sight. I’ve tried displaying them in my home, but they’re too damaged or fragile to showcase in their original form. That’s when I began experimenting with pressing these heirloom pieces into clay.

For Mother’s Day, I gave my mother and sisters trays featuring lace from these vintage tablecloths, pressed directly into the clay. My mother now has her tray hung on her wall, displaying the lace in a new, yet equally meaningful, way. Inspired by this, I’ve decided to offer custom orders so that others can share in this special gift.

How it works:

Purchase the number of trays you’d like made and drop off your lace article at Atelier (335 W Pierpont Avenue, SLC) within 7 business days. You’re welcome to bring it in at your convenience during business hours before the deadline.

I will press your lace into clay, mold it into your selected tray shape, glaze it, and wrap it for gifting.

All trays will be ready for pickup at Atelier (along with your original lace) within 4 weeks. You’ll receive an email notification once they’re ready.

For this project, I’ve chosen a dark clay and a gloss white glaze to ensure the texture of the lace stands out. Please note: due to the dark clay, it may leave a stain on your lace. While I’ve been able to remove these stains using a stain remover and dish soap, I won’t be cleaning the pieces in case you have specific preferences for how your lace is handled.

Each ceramic rectangular tray measures approximately 9.5” x 6.5”.