Make them with Polymer Clay, pottery or Air-Dry Clay
These little Santa faces are the sweetest handmade touch for your Christmas tree, gift wrapping, or even as festive garlands. The best part? You can create them in whichever clay you’re most comfortable using—polymer clay for a strong, oven-baked finish, or air-dry clay for a pottery-style look without the kiln.
Materials You’ll Need
- White clay (polymer or air-dry)
- Red acrylic paint or red glaze
- Small rolling pin
- Craft knife or clay cutter
- Sculpting tool or toothpick
- Drinking straw (for making holes)
- Small paintbrushes
- Acrylic paints: black, pink, and red (if not using glaze)
- Optional: clay texture mat or doily for Santa’s beard pattern
Step 1: Roll Out the Clay
- Roll your clay to about ¼ inch thickness.
- Smooth the surface with your roller.
Step 2: Cut the Santa Shape
- Freehand cut a teardrop/oval shape for Santa’s face with a craft knife.
- Each ornament should be roughly 2–3 inches tall.
Step 3: Add Santa’s Hat
- Pinch and shape the top section into a point for the hat.
- If you’re using white clay, you’ll paint the hat red later. If you have red clay, cut and press a triangle onto the top of the face.
- Add a tiny ball of clay at the tip for Santa’s pom-pom.
Step 4: Create the Nose
- Roll a tiny cylinder of clay and press it in the middle of the face.
- Make sure it sticks firmly (a dab of water for air-dry clay or blending edges for polymer clay will help).
Step 5: Add Texture to the Beard
- Use a toothpick, stylus, or texture mat to press in a pattern for Santa’s beard.
- Keep it random and bumpy for a fluffy effect.
Step 6: Make the Hanging Hole
- Use a straw or skewer to punch a hole at the top of the hat for hanging.
Step 7: Dry or Bake
- Air-Dry Clay: Leave flat on a board to dry 24–48 hours, turning once to prevent warping.
- Polymer Clay: Bake according to package instructions (usually 15–30 minutes at 130°C / 275°F).
Step 8: Paint the Details
- Paint the hat red (if not using red clay).
- Paint Santa’s face in a light peach/flesh tone.
- Dot two little eyes with black paint.
- Add pink cheeks with a dry-brushed blush of pink.
- Paint beard highlights with white if needed.
- Add fun hat details—stars, stripes, or snowflakes.
Step 9: Finish & Hang
- Once dry, seal with a matte or gloss varnish for protection (optional).
- Thread with twine, ribbon, or a hook, and hang on your tree.
Tips & Variations
- Add names across the hat band for personalized ornaments.
- Use metallic paint for a sparkly Santa hat.
- Make a whole set and gift them in little fabric bags as handmade stocking stuffers.
