DIY: Shabby chic Christmas ornaments made from air dry porcelain.

BushcraftZ 2014

This Christmas I decided to make my own shabby chic inspired ornaments. All elements required for this project can be found at home. I combined the ornaments with lace and ribbons from grandmothers sewing treasures to complete the look. These are perfect for the Christmas tree or wreath, use them as napkin rings wound around linen napkins to add a touch of nostalgia to the Christmas table decor or as name tags for gifts.

Porcelain clay:

Materials:

• 200 ml corn starch
• 50 ml clear drying craft glue
• 2 tsp vinegar
• 2 tsp oil (Olive or Baby oil)
• 2 tsp aqueous cream
• Water

Method:

Mix the cornstarch, glue, vinegar, oil and cream. Add a little water at a time until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough until smooth. Cover in cling wrap until you are ready to use it.

Tip: If the clay starts to dry out and crumble while you work, wet your hands with a little water and knead the dough again to keep it soft.

Ornaments:

Materials

• Prepared porcelain clay
• Cookie cutters
• Chrystal tumbler – at any object that has a interesting design at the base.
• Rolling pin
• Drinking straw
• Bronze, silver or gold, craft paint. Craft brush
• Corn starch

Method:

1. Dust your surface with corn starch and roll out the dough to 0.5 cm thick.
2. Dust the base of the tumbler with corn starch and impress a pattern into the dough.
3. Cut out a shape with a cookie cutter. Insert a hole with the drinking straw. Allow to air dry. Depending on the weather this may take a few hours to a few days.

   

   BushcraftZ 2014

4. Load a dry paint brush with a little metallic craft paint. Use a scrap paper to work off most of the paint from the brush. Lightly brush the paint over the relief pattern caching only the highlighted edges. Be careful not to use to much paint otherwise the effect will be spoiled.

   

   BushcraftZ 2014

   
   

   

   BushcraftZ 2014

5. Thread old lace or ribbon through the hole in the ornament to complete.

   

   BushcraftZ 2014

   
   

   

   Add caption