Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

Ornament Thursday

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o1.JPGToday’s project is a simple ornament that can do double duty as a gift tag.  I love embellishing gifts with a little something extra!

Materials:

polymer clay (I used scrap colors in red, olive, teal and white)

vellum paper

ribbon

wet/dry sandpaper (optional)

tools: pasta machine, cutting blade, scrapbooking scissors, paper punch

1. Layer the scrap clays together to form a rectangle, put contrasting colors next to each other.  Warm the clay between your hands, compressing it and compacting the edges of the scraps.

2. Roll the clay through the pasta machine on the thickest setting. 

3. With the cutting blade, trim to form a long rectangle. Starting at one end, roll up the clay to form a spiral.  Trim edges.

4. Roll out a sheet of green clay on the thickest setting of the pasta machine.  Slice off thin layers of the spiral and stick it on the green clay.  Run the sheet of green clay through the pasta machine on the thickest setting one more time. 

o2.JPG5. Trim with scrapbooking scissors. Bake, sand if desired.

6. Print out holiday greetings on vellum with your home printer.  Trim and punch a hole with with the paper punch.  Punch a hole in the top of the polymer clay tag.  Add vellum to clay tag/ornaments with ribbon. 

o3.JPG

See what other crafty goodness those Ornament Thursday designers have come up with this week:

Christmas cookie – Jennifer Heynen

Christmas tree finger labyrinth – Hali Chambers

Ring in the New Year – Kriss Cramer

Quilty pieced snowman – Linda Augsburg
Simply striking sparkling spheres – Margot Potter

Beaded memory wire – Elaine Luther

Wire & beaded tree – Lynn Kvigne

 Beaded sun catcher – Debba Haupert

Jolly and yummy ceramic candy – Melanie Brooks Lukacs 

 Polymer snowflake embedded in resin – Melissa Lee

Beaded candy canes – Candie Cooper

Polymer clay gift tag/ornament – Heather Powers

Twisted blues – Lampwork Diva aka Cindy Gimbrone  

Holiday spiral tree & party pixie – Art Bead Scene  

Wire bird’s nest – Rebecca Peck

Plush gingerbread doggie – Jenny Harada

Swell ornament – Alexa Westerfield

Holiday paper crafting – Brandy Lung Gill

Shaving cream & chipboard ornament – Michelle McGee

Easy needle-felted orb – Katie Hacker

Lisa Liddy’s Lovely Ornament

[tags]polymer clay, holiday crafts, christmas projects, ornament Thursday[/tags]

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Have you read?

Etsy Feature – DIY Face Planter Pottery Template

Quirky, fun, and full of personality—this DIY Face Planter Pottery Template is the kind of project that makes everyone smile. Planters are already a favorite for potters because they’re so versatile, but when you add a playful face into the mix? You’ve got a conversation starter, a gift idea, and a cheerful addition to your home all in one.

What It Is

This template guides you step-by-step in slab-building a face-shaped planter. You’ll get the form sorted out easily, leaving all the creativity in the decorating stage—think glasses, freckles, funny noses, bright lips, or even exaggerated cartoon features. It’s essentially a blank canvas with character built right in.

Why It’s Fun and Functional

  • Customizable: Each planter can be as unique as the person making it—no two faces will ever be the same. 
  • Beginner-Friendly: Templates take away the guesswork, letting you focus on the fun. 
  • Gift-Worthy: Perfect as a handmade present for plant lovers or anyone who loves whimsical décor. 
  • Practical: A planter you’ll actually use, not just display. 

Creative Ideas for Your Planter

  • Add bright glazes to create bold personalities. 
  • Use matte neutrals for a more modern, sculptural look. 
  • Give each face a “hairstyle” with trailing plants like string of pearls, ferns, or succulents. 
  • Try a family set—different faces for different family members or moods. 

Why You’ll Love This Project

This planter template is more than just pottery—it’s playful art. The finished piece brings life and laughter into any space, and because you can customize it endlessly, it’s the kind of project you’ll want to make again and again.

You can find it here: DIY Face Planter Pottery Template on Etsy.

This post is part of my Etsy Feature series, where I highlight clay templates, tools, and creative projects that make pottery fun, approachable, and full of charm. This one is especially delightful because it gives you permission to play and be silly with your clay.

13 DIY Hanging Planters You Can Make At Home [Home and Garden]

12 Plants To Put In Your Bedroom To Help You Sleep [Bath and Body]