• Home
  • The Blog
    • Crafts
      • Floral
      • Paper
      • Sewing
      • Seasonal Crafts
    • Home & Garden
      • Everyday Decor
      • Seasonal Decor
      • Garden
      • Parties
    • Recipes
    • Free Printables
    • Gift guides
  • About
    • About Crissy
    • VIP Newsletter
    • Disclosure
  • Contact

First Day of Home

Crafts - Decor - Inspired Living

  • Home
  • Crafts
    • Floral
    • Paper
    • Sewing
    • Seasonal
  • Home & Garden
    • Everyday Decor
    • Seasonal Decor
    • Garden
    • Parties
  • Recipes
  • Free Printables
  • Become a VIP
  • About
    • About Crissy
    • Disclosure
    • Contact

Last updated: February 20, 2021 in Arts & Crafts· Seasonal Crafts

How to Make Simple Air Dry Clay Ornaments

Jump to How-To
Please support this site by sharing!
  • 189
    Shares

There’s something special about a handmade ornament. Once you learn how to make these simple air dry clay ornaments, you’ll find yourself wanting to include them as stocking stuffers for the whole family.

Air dry clay ornaments in circular shape and angel shape decorated with pressed flowers and paint with text overlay reading "How to Make Air Dry Clay Ornaments"

This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. For more information, please see my disclosures.

How to Make Clay Ornaments

For a step-by-step tutorial on making these DIY ornaments with air dry clay, check out this short video.

Air dry clay ornaments with impressions from stems and leaves
Subscribe to my YouTube channel


What to Know About Air Dry Clay

If you’re new to working with air dry clay, here are a few things to know about the medium before you get started.

  • The air dry clay used in this tutorial takes about 24 hours to dry and does not require baking.
  • If your clay begins cracking, simply add a few drops of water with your fingertips to create more moisture and pliability.
  • The clay is safe for all ages to use, so grab the kiddos and have some fun!
Air dry clay ornaments with leaf pattern and jute twine string with wooden beads

Kids might especially enjoy making my air dry clay gnomes, which has another step-by-step tutorial on tbe blog.

If you want to make your own clay with household ingredients, try my no-fail salt dough ornament recipe. You can bake it in the oven for 2 hours, which is convenient. However, it’s more difficult to make imprints like you can with air dry clay.

How to Press Flowers for Clay Ornaments

If you’re interested in pressing flowers, I highly recommend this microwave flower press. You can use my coupon code FIRSTDAY10 for 10% off your order.

Pansies and rose petals on microwave flower press waiting to be dried
Pansies and rose petals before pressing in microwave

I have a step-by-step tutorial on making DIY pressed flower art with this same press if you do end up buying one.

I also have a complete tutorial on how to press flowers if you want to explore other methods as well.

Continue to Content
Air dry clay ornaments painted and texturized with natural stems in round and angel shapes

How to Make Air Dry Clay Ornaments

Yield: 20
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Active Time: 20 minutes
Additional Time: 1 day
Total Time: 1 day 25 minutes
Difficulty: Beginner/Easy
Estimated Cost: $10

Make beautiful air dry clay ornaments using items commonly found in nature. Learn how to paint and decorate your ornaments with various techniques including acrylic paint and pressed flowers.

Materials

  • Air dry clay
  • Natural stems
  • Flowers
  • Mod Podge, matte
  • Acrylic paint
  • Jute twine or ribbon
  • Jewelry wire (for hanging beads on angel ornament)

Tools

  • Glass bottle or rolling pin
  • Paint brushes
  • Straw or dowel
  • Flower press (optional)

Instructions

Standard Round Ornament

  1. Begin rolling out a small handful of air-dry clay using a glass bottle or rolling pin until the clay is about 1/8-inch thick. You can use wax paper underneath for easy lifting.
  2. Add a few drops of water with your fingertips if the clay begins cracking while rolling. You will need to continue to add moisture the longer you work with the clay.
  3. Place stems or leaves onto the clay. Gently roll over the stem with the bottle or rolling pin to imprint the pattern onto the clay. Imprinting a stem onto air dry clay
  4. Carefully remove the stems/leaves to reveal your pattern. Then use a cookie cutter to create your ornament shape.Cutting shapes in air dry clay
  5. If hanging the ornament, use a straw or dowel to create a hole at the top.
  6. Allow at least 24 hours for the ornament to dry completely.Round air dry clay ornament with imprint of cedar branch before drying
  7. Once dry, paint the surface of the ornament using acrylic paint. Painted clay ornament with imprint of cedar stem
  8. If desired, you can press flowers and then use Mod Podge to adhere a flower to the ornament. Apply a top coat of Mod Podge onto the flower and let it dry for 20-30 minutes.Pansy flower pressed onto clay ornament
  9. Add jute twine or string to hang the ornament. As an option, you can add beads to embellish your design.


Angel Ornament

  1. Follow steps 1-7 above. Be sure to use a small dowel to make two small holes in each wing of the angel.
  2. Optional: Paint wooden beads with white and gold acrylic paint, lightly brushing the paint on for a more rustic effect.Wooden beads ready to be painted with white paint
  3. Using jewelry wire, attach the wooden beads to the ornament to hang.Air dry clay ornament in shape of angel with painted wooden beads to hang

Notes

For best results, dip your fingers in water and smooth out any rough edges on the ornaments before air drying.

For a lightly brushed painting technique, make sure you dab off any excess paint before applying it to your ornament.

There is no need to seal painted ornaments (except when applying flowers), but you do have the option of applying a coat of Mod Podge for a more finished look.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • DAS Air-Hardening Modeling Clay
    DAS Air-Hardening Modeling Clay
  • Ann Clark Cookie Cutters 7-Piece Christmas Cookie Cutter Set 
    Ann Clark Cookie Cutters 7-Piece Christmas Cookie Cutter Set 
  • 22-Gauge Tarnish Resistant Gold Wire
    22-Gauge Tarnish Resistant Gold Wire
  • 100pcs Natural Wooden Beads (20mm) with 2 Jute Tassel and Jute Rope 
    100pcs Natural Wooden Beads (20mm) with 2 Jute Tassel and Jute Rope 
  • Microfleur 9" Microwave Flower Press
    Microfleur 9" Microwave Flower Press
  • Mod Podge 8 oz, Matte
    Mod Podge 8 oz, Matte
© firstdayofhome.com
Project Type: DIY / Category: Arts & Crafts
First Day of Home signature
Continue to Content

More Christmas Crafts

How to Make Salt Dough Ornaments with Your Kids

Make lasting memories with the kids creating salt dough ornaments with this easy recipe.

How to Make Easy Wood Slice Ornaments Two Ways

Learn how to make rustic wood slice ornaments with paint or photo transfer medium.

How to Create the Best DIY Wrapping Paper Ever!

Turn your kid's artwork into wrapping paper with this fun DIY project!

How to Make a Farmhouse DIY Christmas Card Holder

Display your holiday cards in style with this farmhouse Christmas card holder.


Please support this site by sharing!
  • 189
    Shares
  • 189
    Shares

First published: December 21, 2020

Previous Post: « How to Create the Best DIY Wrapping Paper Ever (with Kids Art)!
Next Post: The Printable 2021 Calendar and Planner is Here! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. ornaments says

    April 13, 2021 at 12:27 am

    I look forward to trying my hand at them! We have a Christmas tradition that my mom started and I’m walking. What a special tradition. I’m very passionate about myself, so I love the idea of giving your grandchildren a gift to enjoy for many years to come. And very careful to make these earthen ornaments from garden items.

    Reply
    • Crissy says

      April 16, 2021 at 11:02 am

      Thank you! I hope you enjoy making them.

      Reply
  2. Kay Shelton says

    March 6, 2021 at 4:57 pm

    I am so looking forward to trying my hand at these! We have a Christmas tradition that my Mom started and I am carrying on…finding or making Christmas ornaments for each of the grandchildren so that when they are grown they will have Christmas ornaments for their own tree in their own homes. Cheers!

    Reply
    • Crissy says

      March 7, 2021 at 1:05 am

      I’m so glad to hear that, Kay! What a special tradition. I’m very sentimental myself, so I love your idea of giving grandchildren a gift to enjoy for many years. I know they will treasure your creations. I hope you’ll consider sharing some photos when you’re done! Best wishes, Crissy

      Reply
  3. Susan says

    December 27, 2020 at 12:34 pm

    What guage of gold wire did you use? Thanks for the tutorial!!!

    Reply
    • Crissy says

      December 27, 2020 at 1:30 pm

      Hi Susan! Here’s the gold wire I used: https://amzn.to/37Ta0oZ. I hope this helps. So glad you like the tutorial!

      Reply
  4. Julie Briones says

    December 22, 2020 at 11:10 pm

    These are SO pretty, Crissy! And so smart to make these clay ornaments with items from the garden! Love those beaded hangers, too! Pinned!

    Reply
    • Crissy says

      December 25, 2020 at 10:58 pm

      Oh, thank you so much, Julie! I always appreciate your support and kind comments. I hope you had a blessed Christmas. Hugs, Crissy

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Meet crissy

Welcome to my blog! I'm so glad you're here. Crafting, decorating and DIY projects are my jam, and I love collecting new hobbies like nobody's business. If this sounds like you, pour yourself some coffee...you've come to the right place! Read More…

let’s connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Trending Posts

Spring centerpiece with basket tray containing candles, bunny figurine, egg cloche, candles and fresh hydrangea floral arrangement on coffee table

Spring Home Tour 2021

Birdhouse and floral arrangement centerpiece for spring table decor

Spring Table Decor Ideas

Easter table decor with spring garland, bunny statues and bunny place settings

Easter Table Decor

Categories

Looking for something?

Feminine WordPress Themes using the Genesis Framework by Restored 316

Copyright Notice

We love it when you pin content from this site or share it on social media! However, please be aware that all images and text are the property of firstdayofhome.com and may not be reproduced, edited or altered without express permission. If you would like to feature our content, please contact us here.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Email

Footer

More about Crissy

Welcome to my blog! I'm so glad you're here. Crafting, decorating and DIY projects are my jam, and I love collecting new hobbies like nobody's business. Read More…

Let’s Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Looking for something?

First Day of Home participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. See disclosures for details.

Copyright © 2021 · Market Theme · Disclosure

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to use this site, we'll assume you consent.Accept
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

SAVE & ACCEPT