11/02 DIY Projects / Seasonal/Holiday

DIY Clay Star Ornaments

Christmas tree with DIY clay star ornaments

I was kind of stressing out about how getting this tree up and decorated for the Michaels Makers Dream Tree Challenge was wayyy too soon, but now that the tree is up I’m like THANK GOODNESS it’s done and I have more time to enjoy the thing (and other things)!!!!  This is the first time in my life I got the tree up well before December and now firmly believe this should be the normal thing.  It’s like I already completed half the things I need to get done this Christmas, although that’s not true at all, but it’s the feeling that counts.

So what constitutes my dream tree?  I’ve never not done a tree skirt in the past, but this year would be the year of the basket. I really could’ve just dropped the mic and been done with it once I found this gorgeous basket.  My dream is a basket, that’s all I’m trying to say.

Christmas tree with clay star ornaments-2

Ok but there’s a whole tree of opportunity to make things more pretty, so why not do some more, sure.  I kept my approach simple, taking influence from Scandinavian design by sticking to a max of two colors (white and gold) and not overcrowding the tree with too many ornaments.  I didn’t know from the beginning that I’d want white star ornaments, but once I considered the idea, it wouldn’t leave me alone.  Good thing they’re really, really easy to make.

clayFirst, roll out the clay with a rolling pin.  I worked on top of a cutting board covered with parchment paper.

star cutterUsing a star cookie cutter (I found this one at Michaels), cut the star shape out of the clay.

star cutter 2Remove the excess clay before removing the the cutter.  I find that this helps keep the edges cleaner and reduces warping of the clay shape.

toothpickUse a toothpick to poke a hole at the top of the star, going in small, circular motions to enlarge the hole.

Bake according to the clay instructions (I baked mine at 275F for 30 minutes).

Once cool, string through and knot a piece of thin ribbon or string for the star to hang from.

Clay star ornaments DIY

DIY clay star ornaments

I first dispersed the star ornaments throughout the tree, then peppered white and mini gold ornaments from Michaels in between.

Simple Christmas tree with DIY clay star ornamentsAnother thing I love about not overcrowding the tree with ornaments is that it brings more attention to the lights.  On top of the pre-strung lights on this tree from Michaels, I added globe lights and it might have been the best decision I’ve ever made.  Those round pops of glowing light bring a magical touch, which is another way of saying they make me very, very happy.

Anyone else put their tree up yet?  Or, do you already know how you’ll be decorating it this year?  Let me know if you’re into making your own ornaments and whether or not you want to see more on that.

To see the dream trees from the 49 other Michaels Makers, visit The Michaels blog!

23 comments on “DIY Clay Star Ornaments”

  1. I love the basket and the white and gold simplicity of your tree!! I admire your “less is more” aesthetic. Mine tends to be more is more is more when it comes to Christmas trees. :)

    1. Thanks, Kristie! I love the more is more approach to Christmas tree decorating, but truth: I can’t help but consider our lack of space and how we just don’t have the room to store a ton of seasonal decor! One day when we have the storage, I’m going to do your approach. <3

  2. This is beautiful! My favorite part is the strand of globe lights you added, it makes the tree seem even more dreamy ;) did you pick them up at Michaels too or a different store? I am totally adding some fun globe lights this year, thanks for the inspiration!

    1. Thank you, Holly! Yes, I got the globe lights from Michaels as well. I used four strings total and just strung them through the front side.

  3. How did you prop your tree up in the basket? Last year I tried and the tree kind of kept tipping over even though I smashed it into a big styrofoam block and put that inside the basket.. :)

    1. I just plopped it in there! The bottom two rows of branches are actually getting squished way up and I think that’s what’s holding it in. Creative idea with the styrofoam, that’s what I would’ve tried.

  4. So glad to see another tree in challenge that isn’t overly decorated, love to be able to see tree among ornaments. I too love more lights and your globe lights are perfect for your tree. Have to keep in mind you used 4 strands for your tree. I always like to read comments, learn so much actually. Your tree is very pretty and I enjoyed looking at it. Nothing wrong with lots on a tree, at this time I’m just in the less is more mode Great job on your tree.
    Love idea of making the clay stars, maybe next year can do that on ours. Maybe can get 15 yr. old grand daughter to help me. This year will be having right shoulder replaced on Dec. 7th. so anything too industrious is pretty much out. Need to keep it simple. Hubs will be doing decorating so have resigned myself to very easy and simple. At our age, 74 and 75, simple and easy is good anyway, regardless of surgery. Getting so having a big mess to clean up and put away isn’t much fun anymore.
    Happy daze

    1. Less is more is definitely the mode I’m in, too. I basically put priority on if I’ll have room to store things, or if something will be hard to clean haha. My mom used to always contemplate those things and I never really understood it until recently (mom knows best.)
      Very heartwarming to know you and your grand daughter can put your tree up together. Thanks for sharing, Jane Ellen!

  5. That is one of the most beautiful trees I’ve ever seen in blogland. Love the simplicity and clean look, as well as that perfect basket. 👌

  6. The tree is so adorable!! I would like to make the stars for my tree.They are so white!! What brand of clay did you use?? And how long did you bake them? Thanks so much!

  7. Its Beautiful….Love the simplicity of it and how it all comes together! I wanted to do a real tree this year
    but hated the idea of the clean up after but this tree looks very real and i love the basket : )

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