There is nothing better than handmade Christmas ornaments! Growing up I remember my cousins, brother, and I would help my great grandma make ornaments, it was so much fun and something I will cherish forever. Not only was I able to make some with her, but I now have all her handmade ornaments that I put on my Christmas tree year after year!
I am so excited to have teamed up with some other talented bloggers, and give you some great ideas and inspiration with the Handmade Christmas Ornament Blog Hop!
Now let me show you the ornament I made for the Handmade Christmas Ornament Blog Hop, and also learn how to make one yourself!
West Elm Inspired DIY Geometric Clay Ornament
My ornament was inspired by West Elm’s Flaneur’s Pocket Geometric Wooden Ornaments.
When I saw West Elm’s Wooden Geometric Ornament, I thought “Oh, I can’t re-create that, I don’t have the proper tools to cut wood in a shape like that.” So it was time to get my thinking hat on. Amazing what a little time and thinking can do. I thought of the idea to re-create it using oven bake Sculpey Clay. Which can be found here or at most craft stores. Love how easy this clay is to use, and you can really create whatever you would like with this. Just use your imagination.
supplies:
- Sculpey clay
- twine
- sharp knife and mini screw driver or sculpey clay tool starter set
- paint
- small paint brush
I used one sculpey clay pack, rolled it into a ball, and tried to smooth it out as much as I could. I found that if you place the ball of clay in the fridge for a few minutes, it made it easier to keep it smooth while shaping it. Just keep in mind that you since you will be cutting off parts of the clay, you will want more clay if you are wanting your ornament larger in size.
Then using your clay knife or just a regular sharp kitchen knife (which is what I preferred using, as it was sharper and easier) start carving your clay until you have your desired look. Then I poked a hole in the top for the twine to go in with a mini screw driver. Or you can use the poker tool in the Sculpey kit. The nice thing about this clay is that if you mess up, you can easily just roll it up in a ball and start all over again!
I had so much fun with this Sculpey Clay that I decided to make a few different fun shapes!
Once I had the shape I wanted, I placed them on a baking sheet and baked them in the oven at 275 degrees for 15 min. The time will vary depending on the size of your ornament. So just make sure to check the directions. Once they were cool, I painted them using gold, teal, and yellow with a really small paint brush.
Even my little guy joined in the fun and painted his own 🙂 He loved it! So much fun when the kids get involved in your projects!
Here is his creation! He gave it a little tie-dye look!
I love the way my West Elm inspired ornament turned out, and I really enjoyed playing with Sculpey Clay for the first time. It is so easy to use – just shape and bake!
Now let’s see the ornaments that all the other talented bloggers created!
You can find me linking up here
I love this! I’ve made a few ornaments this year too. I love the little one participated too, how sweet.
Leslie recently posted…Making Molds: Smile Brilliant
Thank you, Leslie! Whenever the kids can help out with a DIY project, are the best ones!
I love this! So fun!!
Sarah recently posted…Vintage Glitter House Ornament with Template
Thank you so much, Sarah!
When I first saw these I assumed they were wood! Never would have guessed they were made from clay. They are so modern and beautiful. Great job.
Jillian recently posted…How to Assemble a Hot Chocolate Bar
Such a good idea to use sculpey clay! I actually like yours better than the West Elm version. And I love that your little guy made one too! His kind of reminds me of a tooth, but in a good way :).
Amy | Canary Street Crafts recently posted…Handmade Rustic Angel Ornament
Your ornament is beautiful! I don’t often use clay in crafts because it scares me a little, but your ornament makes me want to use it more. Thanks for the inspiration!
Bethany recently posted…Handmade Deer Snow Globe Ornament
What a beautiful ornaments!
Kara recently posted…Apple Cranberry Dump Cake
Very cool idea! I’ve only played with Sculpey clay a little and it hasn’t ended well so far…but I might actually be able to make these!
Kirsten recently posted…DIY Wood Etched Glitter Garland
So cool! West Elm style is dreamy, isn’t it?! I’d love to have you link up with Found & Foraged on Saturdays at 8 pm on http://www.averystreetdesign.com. Hope to see you this weekend!!
Laura Irion // Avery Street Design recently posted…pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting
I don’t think I’m ever going to get sick of geometric decor! Love the colors you used 🙂
I love yours so much more than West Elm’s! So pretty, Tara!
Sarah @ Little Red Brick House recently posted…Think and Make Thursday Link Party- No. 8
This is so awesome! LOVE! Thanks for sharing! Also wanted to remind you about the “Found & Foraged” linky party tomorrow (Saturday) at 8pm. Can’t wait to party with you at http://www.houseofhipsters.com
Kyla @HouseOfHipsters recently posted…Holiday Thrift Store Challenge Blog Hop
This is great! I’ll be featuring it on my blog for Think and Make Thursday tomorrow. Nice pick for a craft!
Karisa | Petite Modern Life recently posted…Heavy Duty Floating Shelves
Thank you so much, Karisa for the feature!
Your so creative my dear!! . I really love this idea. It looks easy and fun to make. BTW, thanks for sharing 🙂
Cheers !!
Thank you so much, Kaila!
Great idea! I’ve only played a little bit of scapular clay and it’s not over yet, but I can really do it. Your jewelry is beautiful! I don’t often use clay in handicrafts because it scares me a little, but your jewelry makes me want to use it more. I’m actually better than the West Elm version. And I love that your little boy made one too! It reminded me of a tooth, but thanks for the inspiration.
Then I poked a hole in the top for the twine to go in with a mini screw driver. Or you can use the poker tool in the Sculpey kit. The nice thing about this clay is that if you mess up, you can easily just roll it up in a ball and start all over again!
Lana recently posted…Places to Explore in Yellowstone National Park
There is nothing better than handmade Christmas ornaments! Growing up I remember my cousins, brother, and I would help my great grandma make ornaments, it was so much fun and something I will cherish forever. Not only was I able to make some with her, but I now have all her handmade ornaments that I put on my Christmas tree year after year!
Moon recently posted…Please Support Our Journey to Win $25,000 From FedEx
me want to use it more. I’m actually better than the West Elm version. And I love that your little boy made one too! It reminded me of a tooth, but thanks for the inspiration.
I got something extra special about handmade Christmas ornaments. Whether you make and keep them as decorations for your own home or gift them to friends and family, there is something so rewarding about a homemade ornament.
Very nice and easy decorating ornaments….. I will this…
My wife loves to create ornaments like this…I need to show her this blog post for sure! Stay awesome Tara!
Pans recently posted…80 Morning Affirmations To Change Your Life
You are so creative Tara! I just removed my christmas tree last week but next year I need to make some of these ornaments for my christmas tree. God bless you
Slybu recently posted…Angel Number 313: Spiritual Meaning & Interpretation – Are You Seeing 313?