Skill Level
Intermediate
Time to Make
1 hour plus drying time for paints & 24-48 hours drying time for the clay.
Adult Supervision Needed
Yes
How to Make
- Working with a small piece of clay at a time, (so not to dry it out), knead in your hand a little before rolling out with a rolling pin. This helps the clay become less sticky. Roll no thinner than 0.5cm
- Choose a mini cookie cutter or cut a freehand shape.
- Carefully pierce a small hole at the top of the decoration for the hanging string, using a pointed object. Pierce through front and back to have a clear hole.
- If the edges or the decoration are a little rough, smooth down by wetting your finger and gently rubbing and smoothing.
- Place decoration onto a sheet of tracing paper/baking parchment to dry. The paper will stop it sticking to the surface. Ensure the decoration is as flat as can be to avoid it curling during drying.
- Repeat the process for further decorations. Allow the clay to dry between 24 – 48 hours, turning over to allow the underside to fully dry too.
- JOY, LOVE, WISH, SHINE DECORATIONS
- The clay dries an off white colour. You can keep the “natural” look or paint with white acrylic paint to brighten the decoration which will show off the sentiment.
Paint the whole decoration in white acrylic paint. Coat twice allowing the paint to dry between coats.
- Write the sentiment on each decoration in pencil first. Use either gold/silver metallic acrylic paint and a fine detail paintbrush or Giotto metallic deco pens to write/paint sentiment.
- Using either the paint or pens draw on the stripes and for the present paint/colour in the bow and ribbon. Allow to dry.
- Add a small acrylic jewel on the star.
- Thread the decorations with either silver or gold 4mm satin ribbon for hanging.
Top Tip
Rolling the clay out too thin can lead to cracking & breaking once dry. Roll no thinner than 0.5cm. Seal your artwork with a coat of acrylic satin varnish.
