Clay Feather Ornaments Ballard Knock Off
Make these clay feather ornaments for your tree! These are similar to some that were for sale at Ballard Designs but so much cheaper to make!
Equipment
- air dry clay (you could also use the type of clay you bake) — any you have on hand
What You Will Need
- Toothpicks
- Straw
- Some clay tools or a butter knife
- white paint
- white ribbon
Instructions
- Start by flattening out a piece of clay then cut a feather like shape. Use wax or parchment paper under your project.
- Roughly draw in your feather “stem” with a butter knife or clay tools. Trim away on one end to make a stem.
- Begin pressing and dragging the clay to the edge with a butter knife. Repeat on both sides. A rough edge will make your feather look more realistic.
- Use a flat tools and cut the feather away from the parchment paper underneath.
- Then, use a toothpick to put in the fine details on the feather. The lighter you can go with your toothpick the better.
- Take a straw and make a hole in the top of your feather for hanging. I then draped my feathers on paint brushes to dry. This gives them more of a three dimensional look.
- Let them cure according to the package directions. Paint if desired.
- String your white ribbon through the holes you made with the straw.
- Hang the ornaments on the tree.
Notes
Please note that these feathers will be delicate and breakable. Note that I had four feathers drying in the picture above and only came out with three to photograph. It also seems that the skinnier you make the feather, the more delicate they become.