Make Sculpted Clay Poinsettia Ornaments

Hello all! I think this is my first official 100% Christmas post of the season. The Homemade Clay Olive Wreath was almost Christmasy, but I plan on keeping that up all the time, so I guess it doesn’t count. So YAY! Happy Christmastime! The best part is that this post is part of a blog hop. I love blog hops because you and I get to see so many other great projects from amazing bloggers!

We have a rule in this house that the tree doesn’t go up until after Thanksgiving. No exceptions! I am in total agreement with this one because I love Christmas, but you have to keep the Christmas season in the the Christmas season. This is only the second year that we’ve had an artificial tree, so it is super tempting to put it up. But I can’t, and won’t. If I did for pictures I’d end up taking it down. And that would be WAY too much work. So that is why you won’t see these poinsettias on my tree…yet.

Aren’t poinsettias fantastic? Aside from being poisonous, they are gorgeous and they come in all sizes. So I usually buy the big bushy ones at Costco, but this year we have the fluffy goldendoodle, Henri, who eats things he shouldn’t. He eats socks and washcloths and underwear. I’m at the point of watching the girls take off their socks and putting them directly in the laundry basket, with the lid on, to prevent the eating of the socks.  I don’t want Henri to eat the poisonous poinsettias. So, I decided to make clay ones to tie to the tree. I bought a silk poinsettia pick at the craft store, to model my poinsettias after.

THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING IF YOU CLICK ON A LINK AND BUY SOMETHING I MAY RECEIVE A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE SALE AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU.

What you will need to make these gorgeous flowers ~ Sculpey III Polymer Clay, a rolling pin, craft knife,  small gauged wire, toothpick,  Elmer’s e Advanced ProBond Advanced Glue (my favorite glue), aluminum foil, Glass Glitter

Roll out a dollar coin pinch of clay until it is less than 1/4 inch thick. With the craft knife, cut out a variety of sizes of leaf shapes. After studying the poinsettia, I realized that the shapes and sizes of the leaves aren’t uniform (that makes this project way easier!)  Once you have your leaves cut out, lightly trace the vein markings with a toothpick. Then pinch the base of the leaf and scrunch the sides.

I used the plastic veins on my silk model leaf to make the veins in the clay.

When you have 5 or 6 of the same size, put them together like the photo above.

Cut about 6-inches of wire and lay it across the two joined leaves (like the photo above.) Join together the rest of the leaves for the first layer.

Cut out smaller leaves and layer them on top of the bottom layer of leaves. Squeeze them down in the middle. You can use pieces of squished up foil in between the layers to separate the leaves and to give them elevation.

Once you have three layers or so, transfer to a baking pan and bake the clay according to the package directions. Keep an eye on it. This (below) is what happens when you bake the clay too long. Crispy brown at the edges. Still pretty, but not Christmasy. I will either paint those ones, or glitter the brown parts.

Once the flower is cooled, grab your glue and spread it in the middle. For the center of the flower I used a mixture of glass glitter and some left over plastic crystals from one of those Makit & Bakit ornament crafts (see here.)

Let the glue dry, then tie them to the tree!

So I want to write a epilogue to this post. Can I even write a epilogue if this post hasn’t been posted yet?? Anyhow, Henri and Jonesy, the doodles, decided to have a party while the parents were away one night (we were at work.) Out of 13 poinsettias I had made, 4 survived. The rest were in pieces and/or in the bellies of the two beasts. Additionally, they had eaten packs of Sculpey III clay (green to be precise, don’t ask how I know), some glitter, glue, the kids’ homework, library books and part of the sofa. I cried. Both dogs are okay. It’s been over a week and there has been no health issues. But I still want to cry. I may make more to put on my tree. But I may not.

Now the Trim The Tree Blog Hop!

Have you started decorating for the Holidays?  Over 35 of your favorite bloggers have come together to share their fun and festive ideas.  From Ornaments to Tree Skirts,  you are sure to be inspired by all of these amazing homemade ideas to Trim the Tree! 

1. Advent Calendar Pocket 

2. Polymer Clay Poinsettia

3. Yarn Wrapped Ornament 

4.  Vintage Green Paper Ornament

5. Trim the Tree Garland

6. Ribbon Stuffed Ornaments

7.  Wooden Star Ornament

8. Melted Snowman Ornament

9. Felt Christmas Tree

10.  Santa Star Ornament

1. Vintage Map Ornament

2. Yarn Joy Ornament

3.  Embossed Wood Bird Ornament

4. Snow Man Wood Slice Ornament

5. Christmas Garland

6. Tree Skirt for under $20

7.  Star Painted Ornament

8. Neon Christmas Tree Topper

9. Wooden Spool Christmas Tree

1. Gingerbread Cookie Ornament

2.  Wood Etched Cork Garland

3. Bow Christmas Tree Garland

4. Travel Map Ornaments

5. Homemade Glitter Ornaments

6. Felt Candy Ornaments

7. Make Love Ornament

8. How to Decorate your Tree like a Pro

9.  Joy Ornament

10. Glitter Pinecone Ornament

1. Scented Gingerbread Ornament

2. Diy Tree Skirt

3. Pinecone Decorative Tree

4.  Wood Slice Ornament

5. Wood Slice Child Silhouette Ornament

6. Tips for Decorating the Christmas Tree

7. Mason Jar Lid Ornament

8. Gold Basket Weave Ornament

9. Rustic Christmas Tree Garland

10. Starfish Christmas Ornaments

I link up to these great link parties!