How to Make Ceramic Photo Christmas Ornaments

Homemade ornaments may feature photos of past holidays.

Christmastime often reminds us of good memories from past holidays, bringing up cheerful feelings and helping you to enjoy annual traditions. Keep your memories alive and fresh with ceramic photo ornaments. These ornaments can document milestone Christmases for your children, hold group family photos or commemorate special events or lost loved ones. Though you can purchase these ornaments from commercial companies, you can also make them at home with the kids, creating even more memories for future Christmases.

Things You'll Need

• Cornstarch
• White glue
• Large bowl
• Spoon
• Wax paper
• Cookie cutters
• Printed paper photos
• Scissors
• Decoupage glaze
• Paintbrush
• Polyurethane

Instructions

1. Add 1/3 cup cornstarch and 1/4 cup white school glue to a bowl. Stir the two together until you get a thick, doughy paste with no dry cornstarch remaining in the bowl.

2. Turn the dough out onto a sheet of wax paper and flatten it to about 1/4 inch thick with your hands.

3. Cut shapes from the dough with Christmas cookie cutters. Stars, angels, doves, Christmas trees and gingerbread men all work well. Allow the shapes to dry for about 24 hours.

4. Coat your ceramic dough shapes with water-based polyurethane. This makes them shiny, like true ceramic, and protects them from mold and moisture. Let the polyurethane dry for at least an hour.

5. Cut printed paper photos into circles or shapes that fit onto your ceramic ornaments. Brush the back of each picture with decoupage glue and stick it onto a shape. Brush the top of the picture with glue, also. Allow the glue to dry overnight.

References

• Creative Kids at Home: Christmas Ornaments from Dough
• Ben Franklin Crafts: Tile Picture