This project is part of The Proper Pinwheel’s holiday series, Mission: Merry 2012.
I don’t know what it is, but I always go back to the grade-school crafts. Remember when we were taught to work with clay? And how crazy awesome it was? Over the years, my tastes have changed and I love really clean decorations. As I was making these clay ornaments, I had paint nearby to fill the indentations. But once I stamped them, I thought they were too pretty to add any color to. That’s what the twine is for! Instead of painting with color, I swept a little silver glitter paint over the surface. It adds a hint of shimmer that I think is just lovely.
To make your own clay ornaments you’ll need:
- air dry clay
- rolling pin
- wax paper
- cookie cutters & alphabet stamps
- drinking straw
- baker’s twine
- glitter paint (optional)
Take a large piece of the wet clay and roll it out to 1/4 – 1/2 inch thick on a sheet of wax paper. Use your cookie cutters to cut out various shapes. Place those shapes on a separate sheet of wax paper to dry. Stamp the front of each ornament with a letter stamp. Use the drinking straw to punch out a small hole at the top middle of each ornament. If desired, paint a thin layer of glitter paint on the surface of each.
These ornaments take about 10-15 minutes to make and 2-3 days to dry. Mine were dry after 1, but I left them for 2 (just to be safe). The clay is dark when it is wet and malleable, but it dries to a very pretty white. Once each ornament is dry, thread a piece of baker’s twine through the hole and tie it in a bow. Hang them on your tree or attach them to gifts. These ornaments can do it all… Except maybe drive a car.
It’s fun to stamp out a person’s name or some cute holiday phrases. Go crazy with it, people!
In other news, we’re attending a fancy holiday party tomorrow. I get to dress up all nice and everything. Guys, this is a big deal. I only ever eat at McDonald’s so this is a BIG DEAL. If you could please do me a favor and check out some of my most recent instagram photos. I’m making a few pieces of my outfit myself and need some opinions!!!! Ack! I mean, this is important stuff…
Lexy is a prop stylist,party enthusiast, and recent transplant from Colorado to Arizona. Her work has been featured by 100 Layer Cake, Style Me Pretty, Daily Candy, Better Homes & Gardens, Country Living Magazine, BuzzFeed, and more! She is the founder of creative event series, EAT DRINK CREATE. 
I love the simple beauty of these + how easy they are to make! I’m going to have Jocelyn (4) make these with me for her friends then stamp the first letter of their name. Perfect kid gift that the parents won’t just feel obligated to keep. ha.
Andrea! So true. My parents always kept my friend gifts to “be nice”. I know they didn’t like them. These ornaments are perfect because they actually serve a purpose! Take a pic when you and Joc are all done so I can see! 🙂
I love these. So simple, but super cute! Can I ask where you get the bakers twine? I’ve been wanting to get some, but I’m not sure where to go. Thanks in advance!
Hi Tanya! I actually buy baker’s twine off of Amazon! It’s so cheap and you get SO much!
http://www.amazon.com/Regency-Bakers-Twine-Cone-white/dp/B004REMVWK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357343396&sr=8-1&keywords=baker%27s+twine
Hope that helps!
adorable! I love the idea… I’m sure it could be adjusted for other holidays too!
Oh heck yeah, it could! These would be fun for the fourth of July. Don’t ya think? Red, white, and blue swirls?!
These are so cute, I remember making these in school too (many, many, years ago)lol. But I do have a question. If you wanted to paint these what type of paint would you use or recommend? Thanks for any help you can give me. Have a wonderful and Blessed day. Also, have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years (just in case I don’t talk to you before).