This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure statement for details.
In this post: information and sources for handmade air dry clay Christmas ornaments. Includes where to buy them, how to make them, and ways to use them in your decor.
Before we get to the information and sources for the handmade air dry clay Christmas ornaments, I have a short story to tell that will explain why I wrote this post. We need to go back to Christmas of 2014. This blog was just three years old and not making very much money. To supplement my income, I sold handmade home decor items in an Etsy shop. During the holidays, I produced a line of Christmas stockings that sold out as fast as I could make them. To personalize the stockings, my business partner (and treasured friend) decided we should offer handmade clay tags that featured names or monograms.
So, just like that, we began selling handmade air dry clay Christmas ornaments. I was very skeptical, but she was determined and confident. She researched how to make them, and proceeded to produce the most amazing little ornaments all on her own. I handled all the photography, marketing, communication with customers, and shipping. We really were a great team.
Fast forward to Christmas of 2015. We worked very hard, and had a successful holiday season selling stockings, little fabric ornaments, and handmade clay ornaments. As part of my marketing efforts, I promoted the ornaments endlessly on social media, including Pinterest. I bet if you search “handmade clay tags” or “handmade clay ornaments” on Pinterest, our pins will come up.
We were winding down, and preparing to spend the holidays concentrating on our families, when our worlds were forever altered.
A few days before Christmas, my friend’s mother passed away. Then, in February of 2016, I lost my own mother. Sad and shaken, we both felt we needed to sort out our priorities and as a result, we stopped making everything, and closed our online shop. My friend began babysitting for her granddaughter…and I devoted more time to this blog and my dad. At the end of the day, it was the right decision for both of us. By concentrating my efforts in one place, and not spreading myself so thin, On Sutton Place grew and flourished.
Another part of our product promotion was sharing our items here, on the blog. Those posts are now filled with broken links that lead to a shop that no longer exists. I still get emails from people wanting us to make ornaments…or sew stockings. I decided it was best to set the record straight, and write this post in order to explain what happened. I can now redirect all those promotional posts to this one.
*Affiliate links included. Click HERE for my disclosure statement.
How to Make Handmade Air Dry Clay Christmas Ornaments
Just in case you want to try your hand at making your own clay ornaments, I’ve written an easy-to-follow tutorial. Click the link below to take a look.
Air Dry Clay Christmas Ornaments
I also made cinnamon Christmas ornaments that were fun and have the added perk of smelling wonderful. Here is that tutorial:
No Bake Cinnamon Applesauce Christmas Ornaments
Here are some lovely Etsy shops that sell handmade clay ornaments and tags. Many take custom orders and are happy to personalize their items.
Click {HERE} for a gallery of pictures that shows how to use clay ornaments in your decor, as gift embellishments, and more.
I’ve needed to write this post for a long time, and I’m so glad I finally did. I’d like to end by saying thank you to anyone who purchased our ornaments…we appreciated your support more than you will ever know.
Click the image below
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Hi there. I love these clay tags/ornaments. I am curious about the clay…how hard is it once it is dry? Is it like a ceramic or is it softer like some of the air dry clay for kids?
Thank your for posting your tutorial, these are lovely and I look forward to making my own!
Hello,
I was wondering how you got the pattern on your doves and star garland?
One page had your links to the dove cutout, etc, but I closed it and can’t seem to get back. Perhaps it was on that page, and I can’t find it.
Thank you for sharing your how to. My kids are older and I’ve been looking for something age appropriate for them to create, these are beautiful!
Hello! The pattern is made with embossing backgrounds. Here is an Amazon link to an example: https://www.amazon.com/Kwan-Crafts-Background-Decoration-Scrapbooking/dp/B07KQZB6GX/
After the clay is rolled out, place the background on the clay and gently press. Then cut out the ornament. Have fun!
Order the supplies, thank you for your help. Looking forward to doing this with the kiddos! :)
I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my own mother two years ago and I have never been the same. Maybe you and your friend can make memorial clay decorations? Because I know some of us need that. Something with our loved ones name on it? And maybe you have ideas of your own. This might also help you and your friend with the loss of our mothers.
Three tips I’ve tried reading tutorials on this type clay ornament: One, roll each one out on a square of parchment paper, press cookie cutter down, remove excess clay and let dry or bake depending on type of clay used. Two, I glued fancy buttons to wine corks and stamped the ornaments. Three, I brushed a thin coat of mod podge and sprinkled very lightly with white glitter.
Your post is too familiar. I lost my mom in 2015, it completely changed everything. My dad really struggled, to the point of having a stroke, it was all so very hard. We’re all back on our feet now, but it takes so long to feel like yourself again. I’m so sorry for your loss, wishing you and your family peace, comfort and healing. <3
I hv only just come across your pun and your story. First of all… thank you for sharing it, it brought tears to my eyes as I lost a daughter 19 yrs ago and was very actively creative up until then. It took me many years to believe I could create something of beauty again. My prayers and love go to you, your dad and your friend. I hv found much strength and encouragement in knowing s Heavenly Father that loves me a lot more than I can imagine.
Thank you for sharing this precious gift of art with us. Stay blessed. X
Hi Ann,
I love your clay tags! I have tried to make them but the edges seem to curl and they come out top sided. Any tips?
Hi Nancy…I’m so sorry for the delay in answering. This question slipped through and I didn’t see it. My best guess is that your clay needs to be thicker. If you are rolling out too thin, the ornaments curl as they dry. I hope this helps…I added a link to my own tutorial if you want to take a look. Happy Holidays!
Adorei tudo!!!!!Obrigada por compartilhar!!!!!
Sweet friend! I’m late in reading this, but wanted to thank you for your heartfelt post. I have the set of 4 mini stockings from you as well as a small ruffled runner. I treasure them! I wish you many happy projects here on your blog and lots of time to spend with your family. Happy Fall!
Susan ~
Dear Ann
Thank you for sharing your story about your online shop. I loved your cute clay tags and the stockings. I kick myself for not buying them when you offered them on your website. I would love it if you decide to do a tutorial on the tags and the stockings!
Many thanks,
Have a wonderful week
Lucy
How many ornaments will a 2.2 pound block of clay make? I think it would be fun to try to make my own ornaments.
I bought your Easter clay tags and I love them! I use them on my table every Easter when I decorate.
Love your blog! Thank you so much for sharing your story! The tags are so lovely, I will try some myself. When you are up to it, I would love to see your instructions on making these charming tags!
Hugs, Melissa
Ann, I was fortunate enough to purchase a few of your heart shaped tags a couple of years ago and I will treasure them more knowing your story. Thanks for sharing.
Good morning Ann, when visions of sugarplums dance in children’ s heads at Christmastime I dream of your grainsack stocking garland you fashioned for Miss Mustard Seed… ! I can understand your decision … I love your blog it’s the real deal…I would love to see more photos of your dining room…it’s my favorite room in your home !
Smiles……Anne
I still all but one of the tags I bought in 2014. Still use them as place cards occasionally. Thanks for the update.
Losing a parent changes our lives forever no matter our age. Live reading your blog.
We would LOVE LOVE LOVE if you would do a tutorial and show us how to make the “Stockings” and the “Tags” because yours are the easiest to understand, always simple to complete! Fingers crossed!
Thank you so much for sharing the information about your clay tags. I discovered your blog after your closed this chapter, so I had no idea you made such pretty little tags! I do an ornament project with my grandsons when I visit at Thanksgiving so that they have gifts for teachers and family. Now that they are 6 and 8 years old, this will be so much more fun than just painting ready mades from the craft store!
Thank you for sharing so much great information! I understand about changing
priorities, I have had to do that myself. I love your blog and all that you share! Thank you! Looking forward to future good things to come from this site!
Ann, I am so happy that I purchased your beautiful handmade items over the years: clay tags, stars and heart ornaments, lavender sachets, and assorted pillows. They all represent your creative talents that you have displayed. I have continued to follow your blog since 2011 and enjoy baking the recipes you have shared. I have appreciated the views of your front porch with my favorite blue door and the transformation of your dining room and sunroom. You took a giant leap into the blog world from the school office and I congratulate you. Enjoy our last weeks of summer. Anticipate fall.
I bought your clay tags and a garland and have used them year round. I adore them. I guess it’s time to try making my own.