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    Home » Decor

    July 1, 2022

    Air dry clay star garland (Easy DIY holiday crafts)

    Air dry clay star garland
    Air dry clay star garland

    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

    For your convenience, this website contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, I'll receive a small commission. You pay the same price whether you use my link or not. Thanks so much for your support of Chalking Up Success! Please read my full disclosure here.

    Star garland supplies

    Supplies needed to make an air dry clay star garland, clay stars, ruler and silver wire
    Supplies needed to make an air dry clay star garland
    • 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.

    Wrap wire around the middle of a clay star
    Wrap wire around the middle of a clay star

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

    Measuring the distance between air dry clay stars
    Measuring the distance between air dry clay stars

    Step 3: Wrap silver wire around a second star.

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

    Adding a star to an air dry clay star garland
    Air dry clay star garland

    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.

    An air dry clay star garland with Christmas bells
    Add sparkle to an air dry clay star garland with fairy lights

    ★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.

    Pin this tutorial
    Air dry clay star garland
    Air dry clay star garland
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    Enjoyed this post? Show your support!

    Please consider leaving a comment if you enjoyed this post. I also very much appreciate shares to Pinterest or social media - it helps me a lot and only costs you a minute of your time!

    You may also like:

    A hand holding a DIY air dry clay Christmas ornament with a pattern of evergreen leaves.
    Air dry clay Christmas ornaments DIY
    Salt dough ornaments in the shape of gingerbread men, bells, stars and candy canes.
    How to make salt dough ornaments
    A wooden triangle Christmas tree lit up with fairy lights and decorated with a garland of stars.
    DIY wooden Christmas tree

    Sharing here.

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    1. Janet says

      July 02, 2022 at 6:47 pm

      Can’t believe it’s time to start thinking about Christmas crafts. These are so cute. Katie’s here next week so we’ll have to try making one.

      Reply
      • Jayne Westerholt says

        July 05, 2022 at 1:35 pm

        Thanks, Janet! I'm only thinking of the Christmas crafts that take a little time to make (or in this case, dry out). Summer is the perfect time of year for making anything with air-dry clay. Hope you have a great time with Katy next week!

        Reply
    2. Rachel Harper says

      November 19, 2022 at 11:43 pm

      Jayne,
      This is so cute. I love the idea and I'll share a link on my Sunday, Dirt Road Adventures.

      Reply
      • Jayne Westerholt says

        November 21, 2022 at 5:28 pm

        Thanks so much, Rachel, I really appreciate that!

        Reply

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