Every year we make salt dough or corn flour ornaments and unfortunately, they got damp in storage and they were ruined, so this got me thinking about using Air drying clay for a more permanent Christmas decoration.
Initially, I made three from some left over clay we had and decorated them myself without the boys involvement and was really pleased with the way they turned out. So I decided to have a go with the boys.
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Materials:
Air drying clay
Cookie cutters
Plastic roller
Silicon cooking mat
Straw
Clear sealant or modge podge
Decorations (we used buttons and felt)
Nailfile
Ribbon
Glue (we used a craft glue gun)
Method:
I would recommend that you make your ornaments a couple of days in advance to decorating them or buy microwave-drying clay, yes it exists.
- Firstly work the air drying clay well in your hands until it becomes more supple and easier toroll.
- Roll out an amount on the silicone mat (4mm) is an idea depth.
- Using a cookie cutter cut out your decoration shapes.
- Remove the decorations from the mat onto a board to dry.
- Using a straw make a hole in the top to thread your ribbon.
- Also, smooth the sides of your ornaments to make for smoother edges.
- Allow to dry (do not dry over a heat source or they will crack.
- Once dry take the nail file and smooth any rough edges.
- Then apply a clear sealant or modge podge (PVA). I did this with my first set of ornaments.
- Decorate and attach the ribbon.
The second set I did with the boys are a lot more rough and ready, but then they do like to take over and so they should. They decided to decorate them before we even sealed them. However, they look great and I am really pleased with them.
Ooh, they are lovely! I’m planning to make some with my girls as well, must get organised!
These look fantastic! I love the buttons too 🙂
They are beautiful! I’d like to make something like this with The Boy and will let you know how they turn out!
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I am a big fan of modeling clay. When I taught pre-k and Kindergarten aged children, it was the very best “rainy day” or “nothing seems to be working today” activity. My own children loved squishing, rolling, and shaping things with clay. Traditional modeling clay and play clay (homemade and commercially made) was the thing to use! It was fun and entertaining, but also messy and, in some cases, stinky. Crayola Model Magic is just what the name implies, “Magic!” I have no idea how it is made, but it is feather light, dries in a day (small thin objects), and from the time you remove it from its package, it is soft pliable and playable. Even children as young as two can roll it out, squish it, pound it and make something. It is glitterable, paintable, crayonable, and hold the pokes and junk you stick in it! When there is some left over, I make little animals out of it, squash it and make another. It makes a great stress reliever, as well. Great product and Blick makes the fun more affordable! I am now a permanent Blick customer!!!PS: the grandchildren make ornaments with cookie cutters and two days later filled their tree in my house with their very colorful creations! Again, thanks for the bargain!
This look great, I usually make things with air drying clay but they never turn out that great!
oohhh that reminds me! We have some of the clay in the cupboard and loads of cutters. Just need a couple of the other bits and we can make these this week!! I love homemade decorations, they look nicer and add that something special.
These look fab. I have bought the boys some of this clay for Christmas. I am looking forward to making somethings with it in the new year. Will be book marking these xx
These look amazing Jen! Really love the gingerbread men x
They look fabulous – so cute
What a lovely idea I am definitely going to do this craft with my niece.
What a great idea and sounds like a really fun thing to do with the kids. Not sure we have any space on our tree for new ornaments though!
Your ornaments look beautiful love the little buttons and gingerbread, I need a few more for our tree as we went with a colour this time instead of chucking on everything we have haha! x