Why This Turtle Tray Earns Its Place on the Table
A sea turtle in mid-glide with the shell plated in distinct segments, flippers extended and reef detail behind is what this Turtle design is about, and the palette keeps to emerald and olive shell segments with turquoise water and warm coral behind. Nothing here overstates its case; the tone is simply slow and serene. Turtle designs are the calmest ocean motif — the slow subject suits a slow craft. It is for makers who prefer a project that improves the room when it is finished. Designed for bathrooms, bedrooms and ocean-toned rooms, it holds up as decor rather than as something you finish and put in a drawer. Reference CP19-2. turtle designs are the calmest ocean motif — the slow subject suits a slow craft It is a small thing, and it is the reason the design holds together.
turtle designs are the calmest ocean motif — the slow subject suits a slow craft. It is why the piece settles into bathrooms, bedrooms and ocean-toned rooms without needing the rest of the scheme to match it.
DOTZSO makes these trays for people who would rather serve on something made than something bought. What is in the box: the printed wooden tray, DOTZSO resin drills, a sorting tray, a comfort-grip applicator pen, a wax caddy and a pictorial instruction sheet.
The tray body is the part that matters. The printed surface is sealed after the drills are seated, so the tray takes hot mugs and plates without marking.
The whole tray face is worked, so no section looks like an afterthought.
Specifications
| Product Type | Wooden Serving Tray Diamond Art Kit |
| Designed By | DOTZSO |
| Reference | CP19-2 |
| Design | Turtle |
| Tray Size | 12.2×16.1 in |
| Format | Rectangular tray with cut-in handles |
| Drill Type | DOTZSO signature resin drills, round |
| Coverage | Full drill |
| Surface | Printed wood face, sealed after completion |
| Canvas Guide | Printed symbols and colour key |
| Colour Palette | emerald and olive shell segments with turquoise water and warm coral behind |
What’s in the Box
- 1 × printed wooden tray with cut-in handles
- DOTZSO signature resin drills, sorted by colour (with extra drills included)
- Diamond painting tray
- Comfort-grip applicator pen
- Wax caddy
- Pictorial step-by-step instructions
How to Make It
- Lay the printed tray face flat and let it settle before starting.
- Find the legend strip and match the first symbol to its drill colour.
- Press the pen tip into the wax caddy, then touch it to a drill – the drill lifts and stays on the tip.
- Set the drill onto the matching printed symbol and press lightly. Work one colour block at a time rather than across the whole tray.
- Continue until the face is covered, then press the finished surface flat with a book for an hour to seat every drill.
- Seal the surface fully before the tray goes into service, or the drills will lift under a plate.
Complete it over a few sessions, then let the tray settle into everyday use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What comes in the box with this Turtle wooden tray kit?
Yes. The Turtle wooden tray kit ships complete with the wooden tray and cut-in handles; you drill the printed face and then the tray goes into service, plus the DOTZSO resin drills, tray, applicator pen, wax caddy and pictorial instructions. Nothing else needs sourcing. Reference CP19-2.
Is the Turtle surface tough enough for daily contact?
Once the drills are seated and the surface is sealed, the Turtle design holds under normal use. The surface is sealed, so it handles mugs and plates in normal use. Very hot pans straight from the hob are another matter — use a trivet, and the sealing step is the single biggest factor in how long the finish lasts. Nothing about the Turtle finish is fragile once it has been sealed.
Does the Turtle finish need any special treatment?
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry immediately. Do not submerge it or put it through a dishwasher — the adhesive layer under the drills is not built for a soak. For the Turtle palette, emerald and olive shell segments tones show dust less than pale grounds, so a light pass is usually enough. Store it dry and the Turtle piece needs very little attention.
Is the Turtle wooden tray kit drilled from edge to edge?
The face is drilled across the whole surface, so the finished tray has complete coverage without bare wood showing. The Turtle artwork is drawn so that a sea turtle in mid-glide with the shell plated in distinct segments reads clearly at any distance. The whole Turtle surface carries the drilled finish.
How many evenings will the Turtle design take?
Plan for a few sessions rather than one. Working a single colour block at a time is faster than moving across the tray at random. The Turtle design is slow and serene, which tends to make it easier to work in short sessions. The Turtle pattern builds up quickly once the colour blocks start.
How do I pick the right Turtle wooden tray kit size?
The range covers 7.8 × 11.8 in, 9.8 × 13.8 in and 12.2 × 16.1 in, so there is a format for a bedside table or a full dinner service. This listing is the 12.2×16.1 in format. Reference CP19-2.
Minnie Murillo (verified owner) –
I keep coming back to this shop because the quality is consistent. The finish looks polished rather than homemade. It looks beautiful with a candle and a book on it. The included pen wore out partway through. Good enough that I’d buy another.
Mable Brantley (verified owner) –
Ordered two of these and gave one away as a gift. The drills came in labeled bags, which made sorting painless. The drills were sorted into clearly marked bags, which saved a lot of time. Perfect for a cozy evening in when you want to keep your hands busy. It’s the piece that made the entryway feel finished. Shipping took a bit longer than the estimate. Minor quibbles aside, I’d buy it again.
NightOwlNotions (verified owner) –
Bought this as a reward for getting through a busy stretch at work. The kit included more than enough drills for the full design. I worked through it over several quiet evenings. Great value for what you get. One small scuff on the wood when it arrived. Good kit — the notes above are minor.
Tyler H. (verified owner) –
I use mine for morning coffee and it’s held up well. Wood feels solid, much better than the thin pressed board I’ve seen. The pen that came with it is a bit flimsy, I swapped in my own. I use it for serving when we have guests and it always gets noticed. Happy enough that I’d buy another.
Jerome Wilkerson (verified owner) –
The handles make it feel like real serveware, not just a craft. It’s become the anchor of the nightstand. I wish the printed legend was a little bigger. Would still recommend it.
Ava M. (verified owner) –
I use mine for morning coffee and it’s held up well. Surface is flat and level, glasses don’t wobble on it. Great gift for anyone who likes hosting. Only small gripe is that a few drills had little burrs on them. Happy enough that I’d buy another.
Sam English (verified owner) –
Picked this up because I wanted a hobby that didn’t involve a screen. Everything I needed was in the box – pen, wax, tray and tweezers. Good quality drills with clean edges, not chipped. The adhesive picked up a bit of dust while I was working over several days. It’s my screen-free hour in the evening. It’s tidied up a spot that had been a mess for months. A solid purchase with a couple of notes.
Margaret B. (verified owner) –
Bought it as a starter kit for myself and it worked out great. Wood feels solid, much better than the thin pressed board I’ve seen. I take it to my book club and work on it while we chat. You’ll want to seal it yourself if you’re putting wet glasses on it. If you like ocean turtle designs, this is a good one to go for. The handles make it genuinely practical, not just decorative. Still worth it overall.
Leta Colon (verified owner) –
Honestly better quality than I expected for the price. It looks like a piece of decor, not a storage solution. The tray was smaller than I’d like for a big session. Happy with it, with one small caveat.
Leonard Cobb (verified owner) –
I took a chance on this and it paid off. Nice finish on the wood, not rough or unfinished. Colors matched the numbers exactly, so there was no guessing. I got through it faster than I thought I would. It’s the kind of thing guests notice right away. I’d have liked it a size larger. I’d order it again knowing what I know now.
Madge Mosley (verified owner) –
Really nice kit, especially for the money. This is a lovely ocean turtle piece for the price. The base is flat and sits steady on the counter. The work is repetitive in a good way. It needed a wipe down before the first use. Still glad I ordered it overall.
Milton Hubbard (verified owner) –
Bought it for the guest room and it looks lovely there. If this style appeals to you, it delivers. The interior surface is smooth and easy to wipe down. It was a pleasant way to spend a slow afternoon. I’ve gotten so many compliments on it. You’ll want to seal it yourself if you’ll set wet glasses on it. Still glad I ordered it overall.
Derek Baker (verified owner) –
Made this as a wedding gift and it was a big hit. It’s become a fixture in the living room. Wish it came with a protective finish already applied. Happy with it, with a few caveats.
Joshua J. –
Made this for our coffee table and get compliments on it constantly. Handles are cut well and comfortable to actually carry. Not something I’d put in the dishwasher or soak, obviously. The colors work beautifully with the room. Happy with it, with a few caveats.
Marie Byrne (verified owner) –
This tray is the perfect size for the kitchen island. The kit included more than enough drills for the full design. I set it up next to the window and do a few rows whenever the light is good. It came out better than the product photos suggested. Took me a while to get the hang of the multi-placer tip. Would recommend it with those notes.
Candace Moran (verified owner) –
Made this for our coffee table and get compliments on it constantly. Symbols on the chart are printed clearly enough to follow without guessing. I’ve been doing it in the evenings with my partner, we take turns on sections. One small scuff on the wood when it arrived. It looks like something from a home decor shop. Minor quibbles aside, I’d buy it again.
Pat Stone (verified owner) –
I’m a repeat DOTZSO customer at this point and this kit did not disappoint. The finished piece looks far better than I expected. The wax was a little stiff at first. I’d order again, just knowing what to expect.
Nettie Dawson –
Ordered two of these and gave one away as a gift. The ocean turtle motif makes it feel special. The pen that came with it is a bit flimsy, I swapped in my own. It looks like something from a home decor shop. Would order again despite the small issues.
Chris Jarvis (verified owner) –
This one caught my eye on the new arrivals page. There were extra drills left over in every color when I finished. It’s my screen-free hour in the evening. Great gift for anyone who likes hosting. The corners collect a little dust that’s fiddly to reach. A solid purchase with a couple of notes.
Sammie Mills (verified owner) –
So glad I added this one to my cart. I’m already planning my next one from this shop. Wish it came with a protective finish already applied. Small issues, but nothing that would stop me ordering again.
Deborah B. (verified owner) –
Heavier and nicer in person than it looked online. Handles make it easy to carry from the kitchen to the couch. Perfect for a cozy evening in when you want to keep your hands busy. The adhesive picked up a bit of dust while I was working over several days. I keep remotes and coasters on mine when it’s not in use. Happy enough that I’d buy another.
Tracey Cartwright (verified owner) –
Ordered two kits, this was the one I finished first. The drills came in labeled bags, which made sorting painless. The wax and pen that came with it worked fine right out of the box. Only one finish is available, which is limiting. The repetitive motion is oddly satisfying, one of those simple pleasures. The finished look is polished and put together. A solid purchase with a couple of notes.
Steven Reilly (verified owner) –
The wood base makes this feel like real decor. Glue coverage was even, no dry patches anywhere. I brought it on a weekend trip and finished most of it there. Wish it came with a protective finish already applied. Small issues, but nothing that would stop me ordering again.
Marcos Crowe (verified owner) –
Made this as a wedding gift and it was a big hit. Handles are sturdy, I can carry a full mug without worrying. The finished work looks considered, not like a craft project. The sea turtle palette works really well with the design. The box arrived a bit dented, though nothing inside was damaged. Overall happy, just a few small things.
Lester Wise (verified owner) –
Heavier and nicer in person than it looked online. Definitely ordering more as gifts. The packaging arrived a little dented. Small issues, but nothing that would stop me ordering again.
Selma Cobb (verified owner) –
The tray format is such a nice change of pace. The ocean turtle artwork comes together beautifully as you work. Handles are a bit narrow for larger hands. It holds far more than I expected. Happy with it, with a few caveats.
Leta Adkins (verified owner) –
Ordered this on a quiet Sunday and it arrived faster than expected. The handles are cut comfortably and easy to grip. The canvas had a faint mark from the printing on one edge. Gave it as a housewarming gift and it was the favorite present. I’m a sucker for anything sea turtle-themed. A good buy, with one or two caveats.
Pablo Ashford (verified owner) –
Something about a functional project makes it more satisfying. The tray has real weight to it, feels like serveware. It’s my go-to when I want something enjoyable that doesn’t take much thought. The wood arrived with one small scuff on the side. It looks like something you’d buy, not something you assembled. Still a solid purchase.