I think maybe you could actually start out by writing a cliche metaphor or simile, like “Her eyes, as blue as the ocean, shone.” Then you can expand upon that cliche metaphor and change it to make it not cliche, while still keeping the same sentiment.
For example, you could write “Her eyes, as dark navy as the boiling sea before a tsunami, glistened in the blooming light.”
That way, you still keep the original idea of the metaphor or simile, but the new metaphor or simile is less obvious and more creative.
So you could write a cliche, very obvious metaphor or simile, then expand upon it and revise it in order to make it more unique.
Also, you could think of objects that are very different yet still have certain parts of them that are similar-like fingers and compass needles. They can both point in various directions. Brainstorm a list of these objects to use, like flower petals and arrows, or umbrellas and hats, or lollipops and a globe.
Make sure they have noticeable, but unique, similarities- like how flower petals are torn off in a game of “he loves me, he loves me not," and when the answer is “not," that hurts the person tearing off the petals, like an arrow will hurt someone when it hits its target.
I hope that helps! Good luck! :)