DIY 3 Ingredient Clay Ornaments and Garlands: a fun, easy holiday craft
With the holidays just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to dive into some fun and creative DIY projects for decorating your home! I personally love including decor that is handmade and eco friendly. There is something about adding natural and handmade goods into the decor that just drums up such nostalgia for me. So, whether you’re hosting a festive girls' night in or looking for an activity to do with the kids, I think that these clay garlands (or ornaments) are a great way to get crafty together. Not only is this clay super versatile— it’s only 3 ingredients, it’s pure white, and you can dress it up with paint and glitter or keep it simple for a more natural look. Best of all it’s also an eco-friendly and biodegradable alternative to store-bought decorations that usually end up in the landfill.
These clay garlands or ornaments can be a perfect addition to your holiday décor, whether you're going for a minimalist, rustic vibe or something more sparkly and glam. Because the dough is made from cornstarch and baking soda, it’s biodegradable and a great option for those wanting to create sustainable holiday decorations. I hate when blog posts don’t give the recipe right away so grab your favorite cookie cutters and let's get creative!
What You’ll Need:
½ cup cornstarch
1 cup baking soda
¾ cup water
Saucepan
Plastic wrap
Rolling pin
Cookie cutters (any shape you like!)
Bamboo skewer, toothpick, or straw
Parchment paper
Baking sheet
Let’s Get Crafty!
Make the Dough: Combine your ½ cup cornstarch, 1 cup baking soda, and ¾ cup water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously—this part goes pretty quick! You’ll notice the mixture thickening, and once it starts looking like mashed potatoes, it’s ready to come off the heat.
Cool It Down: Turn the dough out into a bowl, onto piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper and let it cool for about 10-15 minutes. You want it cool enough to handle but still workable. After it’s cooled I like to knead it just a little bit to bring it together and get the texture nice and smooth.
Time to Roll: Once it’s cooled and kneaded, roll it out to about ¼ inch thick. This is where the fun begins! Use your favorite cookie cutters to create shapes. Whether you’re making ornaments or a garland, you can really get creative here. For Garlands I like sticking with smaller cookie cutters 1.5” or smaller. The mini star cutter is my go to, but any shape works! Another great options is to make little name tags too!
Don’t Forget the Holes: Use a skewer, toothpick, or straw to poke holes where you’ll string your garland or hang your ornaments. I find that it’s best to flip the shapes over and make sure the holes are fully punch through on both sides before baking.
Bake to Perfection: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, place your clay shapes on it, and bake at 200°F for 1 to 1.5 hours. They’ll harden nicely but still keep that beautiful pure white finish.
Get Stringing: Once they’ve cooled completely, string your shapes together using twine or ribbon to create your garland. You can also leave them as individual ornaments or gift tags if you prefer!
A Few Tips From Me:
Feel free to add a little sparkle with some glitter or paint after baking.
Make sure your clay pieces are fully cooled and hardened before handling to avoid any cracking.
If placing outside in the elements, make sure to seal them before you place them where they would be exposed to moisture. They will melt! (ask me how I know)
This project is perfect for those fall days when you’re looking for a little creative outlet. They really do come together so quick and easy and I promise once you start making these they will quickly become a tradition. Not to mention, these clay ornaments (or garlands) make for amazing holiday décor or handmade gifts!
Let me know if you give this craft a try! It’s always fun to see how y’all add your personal touch to projects like these.