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How to Make Homemade Clay Christmas Ornaments

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(98 Ratings)

Have any hobbyists on your gift list? How about a personalized ornament tailored especially for the fisherman, golfer, artist, photographer or athlete. Whatever the hobby, you can make a dough ornament to suit that particular interest. These ornaments are easy to make from common kitchen supplies and will last for years and years.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Flour
  • Food Coloring
  • Ribbons
  • Cookie sheets
  • Salt
  • Hobby Paints
  • Cookie Cutters
  • Hobby Paintbrushes
  • Glitter
  • White Glues
  • Mixing bowls

    Make Flour-based Dough

  1. Step 1

    Mix 4 c. flour, 1 c. salt, some food coloring and enough water to moisten.

  2. Step 2

    Mix the ingredients, adding water until you have the desired consistency. The clay should be stiff but still hold together when rolled into a ball.

  3. Step 3

    Store in refrigerator to avoid spoiling. This clay dries hard and can be painted or decorated with markers or pens.

  4. Or, Make Salt Dough

  5. Step 1

    Mix 2 c. flour with 1 c. salt and 3/4 c. water in a deep bowl.

  6. Step 2

    Knead it until it's doughy.

  7. Step 3

    Add food coloring or glitter.

  8. Step 4

    Add more water if the dough is too crumbly. If it's too sticky, add a little more flour.

  9. Step 5

    Make several batches in different colors.

  10. Step 6

    Store in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week.

  11. Make Your Ornaments

  12. Step 1

    Form shapes by hand or with cookie cutters. Some suggestions are fish, golf clubs, spools of thread, basketballs, soccer balls, a watering can, a camera or a horseshoe.

  13. Step 2

    Place a loop of wire into the still-soft dough to act as a hanger. You will thread ribbon through this loop when the ornament is complete.

  14. Step 3

    Dry the objects in the oven at 200 degrees F for about 10 minutes. They can then be painted.

  15. Step 4

    Use watercolor, felt-tipped pens or poster paint to decorate your ornaments. Glitter, bits of ribbon or other decorative pieces can be added with a touch of white glue.

Comments  

amylaine said

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on 12/12/2009 I did this last year and sadly the pretty ornaments look very gross this year. With new Christmas ornaments made this year I have learned that it is very important to store in a airtight container.

starrlight said

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on 5/23/2009 A mini-clay (real pottery clay) extruder to make hair, belts, and other various decorations for outfits, eyes, and such. The clay/pottery extruder is called Klay mini extruder and you can find them at any pottery/clay supply store (online or brick/mortar) or check Ebay. They are relatively cheap.You might need to soften your homemade dough w/extra water to make it more pliable so it will pull through the extruder but it will work. My daughter uses a mini Klay Extruder to work on her hand-built pottery, esp when I'm working on the pottery wheel throwing or trimming my work. FYI: If you know someone with a kiln, you can actually use Polymer clay or regular potter's clay to make your ornaments then fire them to a bisque fire, glaze (dunk or paint w/brushes for color) and fire in a glaze fire next. Viola, now you have true ornaments that can be held onto for as long as someone takes exce...

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 12/8/2008 Make a hole in your ornament with the end of a straw before baking. You can use it for hanging the ornament.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 12/8/2008 Press the dough through a garlic press to make strands, which can be used as hair, a beard, etc. Or use a child's play dough press to create shapes for ornaments.

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