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.
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.
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.
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.
Carefully remove the stems/leaves to reveal your pattern. Then use a cookie cutter to create your ornament shape.
If hanging the ornament, use a straw or dowel to create a hole at the top.
Allow at least 24 hours for the ornament to dry completely.
Once dry, paint the surface of the ornament using acrylic paint.
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.
Add jute twine or string to hang the ornament. As an option, you can add beads to embellish your design.
Angel Ornament
Follow steps 1-7 above. Be sure to use a small dowel to make two small holes in each wing of the angel.
Optional: Paint wooden beads with white and gold acrylic paint, lightly brushing the paint on for a more rustic effect.
Using jewelry wire, attach the wooden beads to the ornament 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.