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This crafty process is a little fiddly, but the beautiful product and easily available ingredients is worth it.
I love how the homemade clay dries into a strikingly white and surprisingly durable keepsake, reminiscent of porcelain.
We have only made hand and footprint keepsakes as gifts for grandparents using this method, but you can get creative and apply this method to a wide swath of ornament endeavors.
Materials
- 2 cups baking soda
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 1/4 cups water
- Paint, craft glue, glitter for decorating and string for hanging
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring all the while.
- When the mixture thickens into a mashed potato consistency, take it off the heat, spoon into a damp towel, wrap and let cool.
- When the clay is cool enough to work with, roll it out into a thin sheet and cut out your ornaments. Make sure to punch holes for hanging!
- Carefully help your little one press down gently to make a handprint keepsake. (Make extra—some are sure to crack!)
- Let air dry OR bake in oven at 200 degrees for 30ishmins per side, monitoring closely. They are more likely to crack when baked. We baked ours, and about half of them cracked!
- When dry, paint and decorate! I used glitter and craft glue to decorate these.
My little artist decorated his own set of ornaments when we made these, and unfortunately I did not snap any photos.
I hope you are able to try out this process to make some sweet handmade gifts. Enjoy!
