self taught painter, former forester
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New Round Trays

The Acacia and Resin Trays

 In 2021, we redesigned our bestselling functional art format, the round acacia trays, to make them larger, sturdier and more unique than the originals. We’re excited to partner with a small independent maker who made these acacia trays to Kathryn’s specifications, and you can see the differences here between the old format and the new one. Kathryn uses these as a base for her original resin art. Here’s how they compare to the original trays:

They’re Larger The new design (front) measures 16.4” in diameter, instead of the original 15” at the back.  It’s a better size to sit on an ottoman, but not too large that it’s hard to carry.

They’re Larger and Heavier

The new design (front) measures 16.4” in diameter, instead of the original 15” at the back. It’s a better size to sit on an ottoman, but not too large that it’s hard to carry.

The Wood is ThickerKathryn prefers acacia because it’s a sustainable, fast growing wood.  These are acacia but the wood is thicker and the sides are 0.4” higher than the original version.

The Wood is Thicker

Kathryn prefers acacia because it’s a sustainable, fast growing wood. These are acacia but the wood is thicker and the sides are 0.4” higher than the original version.

The Handles are NewWe updated the new design (top) to a more sturdy and rustic handle, which can support the weight of the larger tray.

The Handles are New

We updated the new design (top) to a more sturdy and rustic handle, which can support the weight of the larger tray.

The Finish is more RusticThese have more variation in grain and a stain that highlights the natural beauty of the wood.  Kathryn likes the more organic style and feel it works better with her nature-inspired designs.

The Finish is more Rustic

These have more variation in grain and a stain that highlights the natural beauty of the wood. Kathryn likes the more organic style and feel it works better with her nature-inspired designs.

Compare Tray Formats

Kathryn’s upgraded trays come in four formats: Round, Rectangular, Square and Mini.

Round Trays

The Round format measures 16.4” round on the outside dimensions, with sides approximately 2.4” high with cutout handles. Tray weights vary due to the design and amount of resin used, but on average the finished trays weigh 3-5 lbs.

Rectangular Trays

The Rectangular format measures approximately 14” x 18” on the outside dimensions, with sides approximately 2” high with cutout handles. Tray weights vary due to the design and amount of resin used, but on average the finished trays weigh 3-5 lbs.

Square Trays

The Square format measures 16” x 16” on the outside dimensions, with sides approximately 2” high with cutout handles. Tray weights vary due to the design and amount of resin used, but on average the finished trays weigh 3-5 lbs.

Mini Trays

The Mini format measures 16” x 6” on the outside dimensions, with sides approximately 1” thick.

Care instructions for functional art

Wipe clean with a damp cloth, and condition small scuffs in the wood with mineral or butcher block oil. It’s ok to take them outside while in use or rinse briefly under the tap, but do not store them outdoors or in damp conditions. The wood finish and resin surfaces are food safe, but they’re not recommended for liquids or immersion in water. Resin is durable but can scratch with sharp objects, so do not use as a cutting board. The resin surface can be cleaned with a soft cloth and glass cleaner or 70% isopropyl alcohol if needed.

Tray packaging

All trays will be shipped with a decorative ribbon and a care card. We endeavor to save packaging waste in every area we can, so we often reuse cushioning materials and boxes from art supply orders. Read more about our sustainability initiatives here.