This is one of my favorite projects. We are going to make some really beautiful ornaments. Once you get the process down, you can make anything.
This is a process to create a mold and then use the mold to cast your own handmade paper ornament.
Materials needed:
Plaster
Clay-fimo or similar
Plastic wrap or a plastic bag
2 Bowls
Ribbon
Handmade paper pulp
Carving tool
Sharp knife
Small paint brush
Petroleum Jelly
Your carving tools do not need to be fancy. You can use toothpicks, a fork, knife or anything else you have laying around the house.
Cut the clay square in half the flat way so that you wind up with two squares that are half the depth. Draw out your design or go right to the clay. If you draw out your design first, then lay your drawing on the clay and run a pencil along it to create an impression in the clay.
Carve the clay to the desired design. Make sure not to go through it.
Line one bowl with plastic and push your clay down into the center. Make sure it is down snuggly.
In your other bowl, mix plaster according to the manufacturers instructions. Pour plaster over the clay to cover it completely plus 1/4 inch.
Allow to dry.
Remove plaster from bowl. Gently remove the clay from the mold. If you make sure there is no plaster in the clay, it is reusable. You can use a toothpick to help you clean up the detail areas.
Now put petroleum jelly all over the inside of the mold using the brush. Made sure there are no lumps of jelly.
Mix up your paper pulp
Push pulp into the mold making sure to get it into all of the crevises. Allow to dry.
Trim as you like, add a ribbon and you have yourself an ornament. You can make one for each loved one. Include motivational words or names.
As always, just have fun.
related articles:
Embossing with Stencil and stylus
History of Christmas Ornaments
Chair decorations for the holiday
Ornaments to use or give as gifts
gift bags for the kids to make
"Copyright 2006, Mary Welling-Bonney & Suite 101. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use will constitute an infringement of copyright."
