Air Dry Clay Ornaments

 These are the most perfect and easy ornaments to make with your kids.

Skip the salt dough and just buy this.  OK, honestly, I would've done the salt dough, but we had some unused air dry clay around.  It certainly makes it easier.

What you need:
Air dry clay (crayola has tubs and small packages, sold all over)
Paint (we used what we had on hand- crayola washable tempera paint)
Starlite varnish paint (found nearby the specialty paints such as Martha Stewart) $1
Yarn, twine, string of some kind
Cookie cutters
Rolling pin
Wax paper
Toothpick (for hole and back inscription if desired)
Misc. tools desired (fork, knife, straw, etc.)
Sharpie

Roll out the dough on your wax paper.
Cut out desired shapes.

Since I had the playdoh supplies out, C got distracted for a while, but made his own "buttons."

Decorate as desired with misc. tools.
Using a toothpick, carefully poke a hole where you will later put a string for hanging.
Inscribe back if desired using toothpick.

Paint front
Let dry approx 24hrs.

You can see the sparkle better in this photo.

Coat with starlite varnish
Let dry approx 24 hrs.
Use sharpie to inscribe the back if you haven't already.

 

 Our gingerbread family

 I traced C's hand and had him write his name on back!

Tips:

Gloss varnish is also available.

If you're willing to spend more, they have colored paints in the same section that already have the glittery look in them.  It will mean less coats and a better overall finish.