DIY Air Dry Clay Ornaments – Christmas Gingerbread

Join us for a delightful journey as we explore the simple and enjoyable process of crafting air-dried clay ornaments.

Have you ever worked with air-dry clay before? I used to be intimidated by clay, but I have grown to love it. 

Air-dry clay is modeling clay that doesn’t require baking or firing in a kiln to harden. It dries through exposure to the air over time.

The ease of this clay makes it a great medium to use when making Christmas crafts. Air-dry clay is suitable for children and adults, making it a popular choice for crafting at home and fun for the whole family.

Have you noticed the popularity of gingerbread this year? I knew I was going to decorate my kitchen Christmas tree with this theme this year, so I was on the hunt very early in the holiday season, and I was shocked at how quickly the stores sold out. So, I knew I would be creating many of my own air-dry clay ornaments. 

So, let’s get started and create some Christmas decorations.

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Materials and Tools Required for Making DIY Air Dry Clay Ornaments

You can purchase most of these items at a local craft store or from the links provided. 

• Air dry clay, white clay, terra cotta clay- the color of your choice  (I used both Crayola and DAS clay. I prefer the color of the Crayola clay. However, I feel that DAS is easier to roll out and work with)
• Cookie cutters in your desired shapes
• Wood cookie molds
• Corn starch
• Wax paper or parchment paper 
• Cookie sheet 
• Drinking straw or chopstick to create a small hole in the top of the ornament 
• Rolling pin 
• Mod Podge (optional if you want to decoupage or seal your ornaments)
• Ribbon or twine to create an ornament hanger
• Paintbrush
• Small knife
• (acrylic paint) if you want to paint them
• Dark Wax (If you want to wax them and give them a darker look like the pinecone)

Step-by-Step Tutorial to Make Air Dry Clay Christmas Ornaments

There are multiple methods to craft these ornaments. While the typical approach involves cookie cutters, I experimented with cookie and silicone molds for my own ornaments. I found that molds offer a more favorable texture and intricate details compared to what can be achieved with cookie cutters alone. However, I had success in using a unique pinecone-shaped cookie cutter.

Follow this easy tutorial, and don’t be afraid to experiment!

• Cover your cutting board with wax or parchment paper. 
• Cut off a small piece of clay from the block and roll it to about 1/4″ thick. 

• Brush the wooden cookie press with cornstarch. You can play with the amount you leave in the mold. I like the effect you get with the corn starch, so I don’t mind leaving a bit of excess in the mold. It gives the ornaments an aged look.
• Press the clay into the mold until you feel you have filled all of the space within the mold. 

• You can roll the clay lightly on top of the mold to get a smooth surface on the back of the ornament.
• For the best results, I remove the clay from the mold while there is still an edge on it. This way, it comes out of the mold easily and does not damage the shape of the new ornaments. 

• Once you have removed the clay, you can trim the excess clay off with a small paring knife. Be sure to make quick and clean cuts.
• If you have rough edges, you can smooth them with your finger and a small amount of water. 
• Create a hole at the top of the ornament with a drinking straw, the end of a paintbrush, or a chopstick. 
• Use a dry paintbrush and brush the surfaces of the ornaments with more or less cornstarch to get the look you are after.

Drying Process for Homemade Clay Ornaments

Allow the handmade clay ornaments to dry for several days. Either leave them on the kitchen counter or somewhere in the house where they are out of your way.

Do not put them in the oven to try to dry them faster as there is a chance they will crack.

Once dry, you can buff them with a dry paper towel to remove some of the cornstarch and create a more finished look. 

Tips for Decorating Air Dry Clay Ornaments

In this post, I chose to keep my ornaments in their natural state as it went with my theme for this year. Nevertheless, there are a multitude of approaches to decorating or personalizing your ornaments.

Here are several suggestions if you wish to add an extra touch to your own ornaments.

Watch it on You Tube

How To Style Your Own Air Dry Clay Ornaments

• Christmas tree ornaments: Add a small amount of velvet or satin ribbon and tie them onto the branches of your holiday tree. I added nothing more and love how my tree looks in the kitchen. 
•  Create a wreath: Arrange ornaments on a wreath frame, securing them with wire or hot glue to create a decorative ornament wreath for your front door or interior walls.
•  Use the ornaments as gift tags: Add extra embellishments or accents to the ornament, such as a small bow, a sprig of greenery, or additional ribbons that complement the gift wrapping.
•  Party favors: Having a small Christmas Party? Use these ornaments as party favors; your guests will love them. 
•  Place card holders: Tie a small name card to the ornament and lay it on the plate on your table.

Caring for and Preserving Air Dry clay Ornaments 

Once the holiday season is over, store your ornaments in an airtight container to protect them from breakage. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the joy and excitement of the holiday season can be beautifully captured in the form of air dry clay ornaments.

With just a few simple steps, you can create unique and personalized decorations that will make your home come alive with festive spirit.

So gather your loved ones, put on some cheerful music, and let your creativity soar as you mold and shape these delightful treasures.

The possibilities are endless, and the memories created while crafting these ornaments will surely last a lifetime.