Promise tree ornaments capture the beauty of spring year-round!
Handmade By JOANN
Supplies and Tools
21/2 lb. tub of Crayola air dry clay
Rolling pin
Parchment paper
Template for oval, circle, and trefoil shapes printed on cardstock (PDF)
Pen
Clear Ruler
Multipurpose glue
One X-Acto Knife with #11 blade
Cutting board
One 9" x 12" green foam sheet
Nature elements: seed pods, sticks, flowers, and the like (small artificial leaves and flowers may be used)
Variety pack of brushes
Multi-surface acrylic paint in a variety of colors
Mod Podge
Palette
Small container of water
Feel free to make the crafts your own and get creative with the materials. If there’s anything you can’t find, we encourage you to use substitutions.
Directions
Prep natural elements. If you’re using natural elements, brush them with a thin layer of Mod Podge to ensure that small pieces are not left in the clay after pressing.
Make a stamp of the trefoil. Trace the shapes of a small trefoil and a circle onto a foam sheet and cut them out using an X-Acto knife. Glue the trefoil in the center of the circle and let it dry. Draw a line on the back of the circle that indicates the top and bottom centers of the trefoil. This will be a guide to keep the stamp level when it is applied to the clay.
Roll out clay for the ornaments. On a flat surface, lay a fist-sized ball of clay on parchment paper. Use a rolling pin or other tube-shaped object to roll the clay to slightly less than ¼" thick.
Cut ornament shapes from the clay. Lay templates of an oval and a circle on the rolled out clay and cut around the shapes with an X-Acto knife or a plastic knife. Use a ruler to cut out 2½" squares or 2" x 3" rectangles. Use the handle end of a brush to press a 1/8" or larger hole through each clay shape at the top center, ¼" from the outer edge. This will be a hole for the cording to hang the ornament. Gently pick up the ornament and hold in it in your open hand. With a small amount of water on a finger smooth out any rough edges and imperfections on the front. Put the ornament on a flat surface.
Lay nature elements on the clay ornaments. Determine the desired location for each element. Lay the circle trefoil stamp on the clay and press all parts into it. Remove parts and smooth out any unwanted indentations using a small amount of water on a finger.
Dry the ornaments. Let them dry on parchment paper, aluminum foil, or waxed paper for two to three days. Flip them after one day for quicker drying.
Paint ornaments with acrylic paint. Start with color in indentations, and use a high contrast color for flat surfaces. Apply paint to flat surfaces with a flat brush and a small amount of paint—gently brush in the opposite direction of the indentations. Do not add water to the paint because this will soften the surface of the clay. The paint absorbs quickly into the dry clay, and a second coat of paint may be necessary. White paint may be applied first to the entire ornament to achieve the most vibrant colors. Let the front side dry, then flip the ornament over and paint the back. Let it dry.
Seal the paint. Apply a layer of Mod Podge to the front and back of the ornament to seal the paint and help prevent the paint from flaking off the clay. Let dry.
Attach the cord for hanging the ornament. Cut 1' lengths of cord and fold them in half. Place the folded side of the cord through the back hole of the ornament forming a loop in the front. Place the tails of the cord through the loop and pull the loop snug to the ornament. Tie the cord together ¼" from the ends.
Craft Hack Tips and Tricks
When the ornament is set to dry, ensure that the edges lay flat to the surface. The clay will dry in the position its left in with little if any shrinkage.
A toothpick may be used to help push the loop of the cord through the hole.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Crafting Time: Varies
