Air dry clay star garland (Easy DIY holiday crafts)

Are you looking for a fun craft project to make for yourself or with the kids? These air dry clay stars are easy enough for kids to make and can be used to make no end of decorations. Today, I'm sharing my step-by-step tutorial for making an air dry clay star garland.

Easy clay project

If you make these air dry clay stars during summer, you will have plenty on hand to make gift tags or decorations for the tree at Christmastime. This easy clay project is also great for making on rainy days when the kids are stuck inside. Also, see my list of ideas for more fun clay crafts to make below.

If you're reading this in winter and wondering if you can still make these easy decorations, don't worry, you can make clay stars any time of the year. The only thing that may be different is the drying time. (See below).

Air-dry clay is such a versatile material and is great for creating air dry clay ornaments and all sorts of home decor. Also, see my air dry clay recipe at the bottom of this post. The kids will enjoy using a cookie cutter shape to make that fun, handmade ornament project.

★Tip★: I have an excellent tutorial with step-by-step directions on making air dry clay Christmas ornaments. I show the entire process from start to finish (including a video tutorial). Because that tutorial is comprehensive and includes a ton of tips for working with air dry clay, I recommend you go and read that first before starting this project. Once you've read that easy tutorial, come back here to make the air dry clay garland.

Table of contents

• Easy clay project
• Instructions for making an air dry clay star garland
• Shop supplies
• Protecting your air dry clay star garland
• Where to use an air dry clay star garland
• Air dry clay gift tags
• More air dry clay ideas
• Traditional salt dough recipe
• Conclusion
• Enjoyed this post? Show your support!
• You may also like:

A QUICK REMINDER: When attempting any DIY project, please take care to undertake the necessary safety precautions. Always follow the manufacturer's safety recommendations when using any product or tool. When following my instructions for a DIY project, you are doing so at your own risk.

Instructions for making an air dry clay star garland

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Star garland supplies

• Air drying clay (white clay)
• Rolling pin or glass bottle
• Small star cookie cutter
• Baking paper/wax paper
• Silver wire/ piece of twine
• Ruler/measuring tape
• Damp sponge (for moistening hands)

Shop supplies

Star garland Instructions

Before starting this project, see my tips for working with air dry clay here.

Making clay stars

1. The first thing you have to do is protect your work surface with a layer of baking paper or wax paper. (This also makes the clay stars easier to lift)
2. Cut or break off a section of the air dry clay with damp hands.
3. Knead the clay with your hands until it is soft and pliable.
4. On a smooth surface, roll out the ball of clay to around 8mm – 5/16” thick.
5. Use a cookie cutter to cut out stars (I made 20).
6. Run a wet fingertip along the edges of the clay ornaments to soften the edges and remove excess clay.
7. Leave the clay stars to dry for around twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Turn the clay stars every few hours to ensure they dry evenly on both sides.

Stringing clay stars into a garland

Step 1: Leaving a length of around five inches at the beginning of the wire, wrap the wire around the first star a few times, following the star shape.

Step 2: With the wire still attached to the first star, use a ruler to measure out around 5 inches of wire.

Step 3: Wrap silver wire around a second star.

Step 4: Repeat with the remaining stars measuring 5" between each one.

Step 5: Measure around 5 inches of wire from the last star, then cut the wire.

Step 6: Create a loop in the wire at each end of the garland for hanging the star garland.

★NOTE★: Air dry clay is not food safe. A wooden rolling pin used in the kitchen, should not be used to create this project.

Protecting your air dry clay star garland

There are different ways to seal air dry clay projects. Some people use Mod Podge for this. I find the best thing to use on DIY projects like this clay garland is an acrylic sealer.

★Tip★: Use acrylic paints to embellish your star garland if you like.

Where to use an air dry clay star garland

• An air dry clay star garland will look stunning woven through mantle decorations or added to some evergreen draped along a banister on the stairs.
• Make an extra long garland to hang on the Christmas tree or decorate an alternative Christmas tree like this one made from wood.
• String your air dry clay star garland along the wall and attach your Christmas cards to it.
• Let your air dry clay garland be the star of the show, draped along the center of the dining table as part of a festive holiday or New Year tablescape.
• Paint the stars on your garland red, white, and blue for use in your Memorial Day or July 4th celebration decorations.
• For my Nordic folks, a fun way to paint the stars would be with a red and white or blue and white Scandinavian pattern.

All the examples above can be made magical with a string of fairy lights added!

Air dry clay gift tags

Air dry clay stars make excellent gift tags. I used some left-over clay stars to decorate my Christmas gifts last year. You can see my sustainable gift wrapping ideas here.

More air dry clay ideas

Triangle Christmas tree with garland

Air drying clay ornaments

Air drying clay Easter eggs

Clay gift tags with wooden beads

Traditional salt dough recipe

If you're looking for more homemade ornaments to make, try this traditional salt dough recipe. In this tutorial, I used cookie cutters to make traditional, handmade ornaments for Christmas. Clay ornaments are easy to make and a perfect project for younger kids.

Conclusion

Whether you're looking for a summer craft or a Christmas craft, you will have so much fun making these air dry clay stars!

Air dry clay garlands are easy to make and are the perfect handmade gift. It's also a great idea to make air dry clay Christmas decorations now, well in advance of the festive season.

Making star ornaments is an excellent project for kids and the best part is that there's not a hot glue gun in sight!

All in all, air dry clay garlands make great gifts and Christmas tree ornaments for the holiday season and beyond.

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