Why This Cat Tray Earns Its Place on the Table
This Cat piece was drawn around a cat settled in profile with tail wrapped forward, fur rendered in overlapping short strokes across the flank and chest, then coloured in warm greys and soft browns with bright eye highlights against a tonal background. It keeps a calm and companionable note from edge to edge. Cat portraits sell because the owner already has a relationship with the subject — the canvas just holds it. It is aimed at people who would rather serve on something made than something bought. Designed for bedrooms and home offices, it holds up as decor rather than as something you finish and put in a drawer. Reference CP17. Cat portraits sell because the owner already has a relationship with the subject — the canvas just holds it It is also why the piece keeps working after the novelty fades.
cat portraits sell because the owner already has a relationship with the subject — the canvas just holds it. That is what lets it hold bedrooms and home offices together with a single calm accent.
DOTZSO builds these tray kits for slow evenings, with a surface sealed for everyday handling. The kit ships with the printed wooden tray, DOTZSO resin drills, a sorting tray, a comfort-grip pen, a wax caddy and printed instructions.
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 base is covered completely, which is what gives the tray its visual weight.
Specifications
| Product Type | Wooden Serving Tray Diamond Art Kit |
| Designed By | DOTZSO |
| Reference | CP17 |
| Design | Cat |
| Tray Size | 7.8×11.8 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 | warm greys and soft browns with bright eye highlights against a tonal background |
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.
Take your time over it, then start using the tray instead of saving it for guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the wooden tray kit packaged with everything for the Cat design?
Yes. The Cat 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 CP17.
Will the Cat wooden tray kit keep its finish with regular contact?
Once the drills are seated and the surface is sealed, the Cat 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 Cat finish is fragile once it has been sealed.
How do I keep the Cat wooden tray kit looking new?
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 Cat palette, warm greys and soft browns tones show dust less than pale grounds, so a light pass is usually enough. Regular light cleaning keeps the Cat finish crisp.
How complete is the drill work on the Cat wooden tray kit?
The face is drilled across the whole surface, so the finished tray has complete coverage without bare wood showing. The Cat artwork is drawn so that a cat settled in profile with tail wrapped forward reads clearly at any distance. Coverage is total across the Cat artwork.
Is the Cat project suited to evenings rather than a full day?
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 Cat design is calm and companionable, which tends to make it easier to work in short sessions. The Cat pattern builds up quickly once the colour blocks start.
What size options are there for the Cat design?
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 7.8×11.8 in format. Reference CP17.
Evelyn W. (verified owner) –
This tray kit felt like a real step up from the flat canvases. Each color was packed generously, I had plenty to spare. I do a section after work with a cup of tea and it’s a nice way to unwind. Took a bit longer to arrive than I expected. Really nice piece to have out when people come over. Overall a good experience.
Stephanie T. (verified owner) –
Exactly what the listing described, no surprises. I’m really proud of how it turned out. You’ll want to seal it yourself if you’re putting wet glasses on it. I’d recommend it with that one note.
Sandra D. (verified owner) –
Finished it over a weekend and it looks great on the ottoman. Size is right for two mugs and a small plate. The drills came in labeled bags, which made sorting painless. It’s become my evening ritual – an hour of this and I feel settled. Looks beautiful on the coffee table with a candle on it. The pen that came with it is a bit flimsy, I swapped in my own. Happy enough that I’d buy another.
Luis G. –
I use mine for morning coffee and it’s held up well. Already ordered another one from DOTZSO. The pen that came with it is a bit flimsy, I swapped in my own. I’d recommend it with that one note.
Ava C. (verified owner) –
Honestly better quality than I expected for the price. It’s a charming kitty piece and everyone comments on it. The base is flat and doesn’t rock on the table. Perfect for winding down before bed, much better than watching another show. Some colors came with barely any extras, though I didn’t run out. Holds two mugs and a plate easily. I’d recommend it with that one note.
Morgan Blackburn (verified owner) –
Something about a functional project makes it more satisfying. Solid wood, much better than the pressed board versions. The drilled panel sits slightly proud of the rim. It’s tidied up a spot that had been a mess for months. Small issues, but nothing that would stop me ordering again.
Joan Wheeler (verified owner) –
Really impressed with how solid the tray feels. The drills are bright and consistent in size, no weird off-color batches. This is a lovely cat piece for the price. The tray was smaller than I’d like for a big session. The process was straightforward enough to do while chatting. It looks beautiful with a candle and a book on it. Minor gripes aside, I’d buy it again.
Gladys Delacruz (verified owner) –
This is a genuinely nice kit for the money. There were extra drills left over in every color when I finished. The cat artwork is the reason I clicked. I brought it on a week at the lake and finished most of it there. It holds two mugs and a plate with room to spare. I’d have liked it a size larger. Minor quibbles aside, I’d buy it again.
Dustin P. (verified owner) –
Made this for our coffee table and get compliments on it constantly. The wood is thick and finished smoothly, no splinters anywhere. Great way to slow down at the end of a busy day. The wax ran out before I finished and I had to use my own. Still worth it overall.
Krista Pearson (verified owner) –
My husband picked this out for me and he chose well. I chose this one for the cat look. The instructions were short but covered everything I needed. I take it to my book club and work on it while we chat. Wish it came with a protective finish already applied. Happy with it despite the small stuff.
Norma Snyder (verified owner) –
Made one for my sister and now she wants the kit too. If this style appeals to you, it delivers. Only small gripe is that a few drills had little burrs on them. Everything was bagged and labeled, so setup took five minutes. It’s become a fixture in the living room. Overall a good experience.
Regina Corona (verified owner) –
This was a step up from the smaller kits and I enjoyed it. It sits on the entry table and catches keys and mail. I wish it came pre-sealed. Still glad I ordered it overall.
Esther Lowe (verified owner) –
This was my first tray kit and I’d do another. The drills are bright and consistent in size, no weird off-color batches. I like having a project that doesn’t demand much thought. Handles are a bit narrow for larger hands. Minor quibbles aside, I’d buy it again.
Mildred Terry (verified owner) –
Bought this for our coffee table and it’s become a fixture. The wood is thick and finished smoothly, no splinters anywhere. There were slightly more drills than needed, so it took longer than planned. I set aside twenty minutes a night for this and it’s become a ritual. The kitty detail is impressive up close. Happy with it, with one small caveat.
Jack Wiley (verified owner) –
I’ve done a handful of these now and this one is up there with the best. Gave one as a housewarming gift and it was a favorite. The drilled panel sits slightly proud of the rim. Happy enough that I’d buy another.
Carlos Whitehead (verified owner) –
Been eyeing this one for a while and finally pulled the trigger. The handles are cut comfortably and easy to grip. Instructions were minimal, though it’s easy enough to figure out. I take it to my book club and work on it while we chat. I use it for serving when we have people over. I’d order again, just knowing what to expect.
Ricardo Harmon (verified owner) –
I use mine every morning for coffee. The drills arrived clean, not stuck together in clumps. The cat motif makes it feel special. Only small gripe is that a few drills had little burrs on them. Made one for my mother-in-law and she was delighted. Worth buying, just plan for those small quirks.
Elisa Reese (verified owner) –
This was a fun change of pace from the usual canvas kits. My friends all want one now. Handles are a bit narrow for larger hands. Still a good kit overall.
Fern Cook (verified owner) –
The handles make it feel like real serveware, not just a craft. The drills were sorted into clearly marked bags, which saved a lot of time. I did it in short bursts and it never felt rushed. Instructions were minimal, though it’s easy enough to figure out. Minor things, but I’d still buy it again.
Willard Peterson (verified owner) –
I bought this tray for the bathroom and it made the whole counter look better. I chose this one for the cat look. Handles are sturdy, I can carry a full mug without worrying. The box arrived a bit dented, though nothing inside was damaged. I keep remotes and coasters on mine when it’s not in use. Would recommend it with those notes.