Well, are you already in the Christmas mood and crafting mood? Our Creative Christmas series starts today! On every Sunday in Advent, a DIY or a recipe suitable for the Christmas season awaits you here! Today we start with 3 quick and easy DIY decoration ideas made of modeling clay: Cute Christmas tree pendants, romantic lanterns and a pretty starry light chain!
1. Christmas tree pendant
Materials:
- Modeling clay (we used air-drying FIMO modeling clay)
- Cookie Cutter
- rolling pin
- string
- Scissors
- Shashlik skewer
- Modeling Tool
- possibly Greaseproof paper
Step 1:
Roll out the modeling clay with a rolling pin to a thickness of approx. 0.5 cm. Greaseproof paper can be used as a base if the modeling clay sticks too much to the table.
Just like cutting out cookies, cut out the modeling clay with any cookie cutter shape you like. The leftovers can be kneaded again and rolled out and cut out again.
Step 2:
Make a hole in the mold with a skewer for the cord to thread through later.
Step 3:
Now the Christmas tree pendants have to be hardened. Pay attention to the package leaflet, as this process can vary depending on the manufacturer. Our modeling clay can either be air-dried for 24 hours or hardened in the microwave. We opted for the faster version and after 10 minutes in the microwave at 600 watts, our pendants were nice and hard and dimensionally stable!
Step 4:
Cut a piece of cord about 15 cm long, thread it through the hole and tie it together at the top. The Christmas tree pendants are ready and can be hung on the Christmas tree!
2. Lantern
Materials:
- Modeling clay (we used air-drying FIMO modeling clay)
- Basteltemplate (download here)
- Small cookie cutters
- rolling pin
- Modeling tool or wooden or plastic knife
- Cardboard
- Scissors
- Pen
- Grilled paper
- Tesa
Step 1:
Transfer the template to cardboard and cut out.
Step 2:
Roll out the modeling clay with a rolling pin to a thickness of approx. 0.5cm.
Place the template on the rolled out modeling clay and cut out with a wooden knife.
Step 3:
Cut off the tip with the knife according to the template.
Cut out a few shapes with the small cookie cutters so that the candlelight can shine through later. We have chosen small stars.
If you don't have any small cookie shapes at hand, you can alternatively poke out holes with a straw.
Step 5:
Roll up the cardboard template into a cone with tape.
Put the modeling clay around the cone and cut off the excess edges. It is important that the edges do not overlap too much so that the modeling clay does not become too thick at this point.
Flat the edges smooth with the modeling tool.
Step 6:
The modeling clay must now harden. Follow the instructions on the package insert. When you air dry the modeling clay, use the cardboard cone as a support. However, we let our lanterns harden in the microwave, after 10 minutes at 600 watts they were ready!
Step 7:
Now just put a tea light inside and you can enjoy the cozy twilight!
3. Star String Lights
Materials:
- Modeling clay (we used air-drying FIMO modeling clay)
- Star cookie cutters
- rolling pin
- Fligree chain of lights with wire
Step 1:
Roll out the modeling clay with a rolling pin to a thickness of approx. 0.5cm.
Cut out the rolled out modeling clay with star-shaped cookie cutters. Alternatively, you can also draw stars on cardboard, cut them out and use a cutter knife to cut out the stars along the template. The rest of the modeling clay can be kneaded again and rolled out and cut out again.
Step 2:
Cure the cut out stars according to the instructions on the package insert.
Step 3:
Wrap the fairy lights around a star several times so they are secure. Done!
Step 4:
And you can hang up the fairy lights, they look particularly good on the Christmas tree or on the window frame!
Which DIY do you like best? Either way, we wish you a lot of fun tinkering! Next Sunday in Advent we will continue with our Creative Christmas series, you can be curious what we have prepared for you this time!
Author: Xenia Niernsee