handmade ornament galore!

not totally sure if it was the smartest thing ever,
committing to an ornament swap that is.
but, i just couldn't help myself.

after being at Janne's and messing with DAS
i decided that this was going to be my medium for this year's ornament.
here is the one i did last year.

first i made little armatures out of tin foil.
i probably didn't have to do the arms and legs but it made it easier in the long run.
making the armatures also cuts down on the amount of DAS you have to use and makes the drying time much quicker.
then i proceeded to wrap the clay around the armature. (the foil stays inside)

i used my hands and a sharpened pencil for the shaping.
i think some simple carving tools would have made things go quicker and easier.
next time!

they'll naturally air dry in a few days.
i was running out of time so on the second day i popped them in the oven with the door open at 200º for about 20 minutes.

i squeal with delight at how each one inherently ends up with their own personalities.

sorry i didn't take more pictures of the process. :(
for paint i used acrylic's. slightly watered down and layered.
instead of glitter i opted for a bit of Golden's Interference Gold which gave them a nice subdued shimmer.

i've always hated having to use shiny metal in my art.
a few years ago i learned about this awesome product that takes that away.
just make sure that your metal items aren't coated or galvanized and it'll work beautifully.

my mom made the cute hangers for me.
probably cause it was midnight and she wanted me out of her house! ha!

using a hot glue gun i warmed their necks with felt scarves.

and if you're making ornaments, don't forget to put your name and the year.
the recipients will appreciate it as forgetfulness sets in over the years.
(speaking from experience!)

all wrapped and ready to send out in cute gnome bags from ikea.

i'll post the other ornaments from the exchange as soon as i receive the rest of them.

xoxo,
michelle

Comments

[Tee]

Great tips and awesome ornaments!

[La Marquesita]

me encantan son preciosos!!!!!

[lindsay christ]

can i be invited to your ornament exchange!!!!!!!!!! love these sooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!! you are awesome !!!!!

[Gis]

beautiful!!!

[annette]

darling Michelle! made w/ love : )

[Debra Johnson]

Absolutely adorable!! I LOVE these little snowman! Wonderful job – those lucky recipients!! OOooo – I’m very inspired, I think I’ll have to find an ornament swap or create one myself…my mind is whirling! Thanks for sharing!! I needed a good dose of inspiration today – so glad that I stopped by! Debra

[Julie]

oh my word. you are brilliant. too cute.

[Anne Leuck Feldhaus]

Adorable Michelle! I'm going right out to buy some of the DAS after the holiday madness is over, thanks for sharing that product with us. I love that you can have such quick results and use paint instead of glaze!

[Valerie]

Awesome ideas! Can't wait to try it! Super fun!

[movezerb]

They are so cute and so "Michelle-style" ! :)
I love them ♥

[Spindelmaker]

They are super-cute! You are so talented, and I am so lucky to be receiving one of them! Yiippie!!!

[Chelsea]

cute cute cute! Love them!

[april]

thanks for the sneak peak girlfriend - can't wait to see mine in person.... gotta post my firefly ornament process tomorrow:)

[Anjanette]

Ooohhhh I want one! those are so adorable!!! I really want to get my hands on DAS....

[mom]

So fun and creative... and I loved hanging out with you while you finished them!

[Zime]

They are so lovely Michelle!!!
(^v^)

[Shelley]

Ho. Lee. Crap. Those are the cutest things EVER!! Now I want go out and buy some clay.

[Elizabeth]

You are WAY TOO KEWL!!

[lisa kaus]

those are too fun!!!

[aimee]

precious! these must have taken a load of patience. oh, your lucky recipients!

[miz katie]

Best ornaments EVER!!! OMGosh!! I love these.

[lyneen]

I love your ornaments... they are AMAZINGLY CUTE! When I saw the first pictures i was thinking, YIKES. All painted and dressed with scarf they are darling. TFS

[Dina Marie]

That DAS ornaments looks so cute! We already set up our Christmas tree with ornaments last Sunday. Guess what? I'd love to learn how to make homemade ornaments in someday. Great to have them to be added to my "family" ornament collection. : )

[Tammy]

Seriously? You are out of control sister. I LOVE THEM.

I may have to move next door to you.

That is all.

::grin::

PS -- how are you?!!

[Jennevieve]

Those are so cute! I just watched The Nightmare Before Christmas, those little guys are very Burton-esque!