DIY Christmas decoration #2
Christmas sees us doing ridiculous things like decorating the house with fake flora that would never grow in a tropical climate. But we don’t care. Nothing makes us feel more festive than a plastic fir wreath and tree bling. Singing Christmas carols notwithstanding. That said, we’re open to adding a dose of quality yuletide craft to our décor. A bit of Chritsmas DIY is a great way to get the kids acquainted with the spirit of Christmas too – a bit of giving, sharing and contributing rather than just being on the receiving end of things.
So, thanks to our great friend, Claire Dalgleish of design blog Fellow Fellow, we bring you the second in a series of creative Christmas decoration DIY’s: a vibrant DIY Painted Ornament to add some snazz to your Christmas tree. Clear the table, get out the apron and get ready for some (slightly messy) fun.
Go to our craft page for more DIY decoration ideas and DIY gifts.
What you will need
- Oven bake clay (try Art Friend)
- Baking paper
- Rolling Pin
- A round cookie cutter, approximately 5cm (or a plastic cup if you don’t!)
- Xacto Knife
- A drinking straw
- Paint brushes
- Acrylic paint (suitable for ceramics
Step 1:
Using your hands, knead the clay to soften it before placing it between two sheets of baking paper and rolling the clay to an even thickness (approx. 4mm).
Step 2:
Transfer the rolled slab onto a cutting mat. Use the cookie cutter or plastic cup and cut around the circle, keeping the knife as upright as possible.
Step 3:
After you’ve cut out the circles, use the end of a straw to make a hole about 1cm from the edge.
Step 4:
Pop the clay circles in the oven as per the instructions on your packet.
Step 5:
Take those babies out and allow them to cool.
Step 6:
Now, this is the fun part. Unleash your inner Picasso and design the clays however you wish. Remember to paint the sides and do a couple of coats for vibrancy. We prefer using metallic paint too, for a more Christmassy feel. Ask little ones to help out – they will definitely love to see their artwork hanging over their presents.
Step 7:
Once the paint has dried completely, weave your favourite ribbon or string through it and you’re all set to hang them on your tree!