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Making clay Christmas decorations?

I posted in crafting about where is the cheapest place for Fimo but then thought actually this might be a better section to ask in. For those who make Christmas tree decorations out of some kind of clay what do you use? I used Fimo today but it’s probably going to work out at £1.50+ per a gingerbread man and I wanted to be able to give them to lots of people. What do others use? Also what hook/eye do you add to hang it by if it’s a design where poking a hole in it won’t work. Thank you :Xmas tree: 
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Comments

  • Katiehound
    Katiehound Posts: 8,065 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Would air dried clay work? You can paint it and varnish it but it probably isn't quite as robust as Fimo. Looks like Works  have 1kg DAS  for £4. DAS also comes in terracotta which might almost be gingerbread man colour? That would make a fair number of ornaments- then paint with acrylic paint or for a cheaper option you might try emulsion tester pots.

    A totally different option would be to use salt dough. Very cheap but it degrades over the years because it needs  to be kept in a dry atmosphere. Again you can paint with poster paint, acrylic & varnish. Slow cook in a cool over for a loooong time!!
    Both these methods probably take more time as you need to add colour!

    When I made dough ornaments I used to poke 1/2 paperclip in the top for the loop

    If you google 'cheaper options for Fimo' there are some sets of colours such as Baker Ross  & other Polymer clay kits.
    Being polite and pleasant doesn't cost anything!
    -Stash bust:in 2022:337
    Stash bust :2023. 120duvets, 24bags,43dogcoats, 2scrunchies, 10mitts, 6 bootees, 8spec cases, 2 A6notebooks, 59cards, 6 lav bags,36 angels,9 bones,1 blanket, 1 lined bag,3 owls, 88 pyramids = total 420total spend £5.Total for 'Dogs for Good' £546.82

    2024:Sewn:59Doggy ds,52pyramids,18 bags,6spec cases,6lav.bags.
    Knits:6covers,4hats,10mitts,2 bootees.
    Crotchet:61angels, 229cards=453 £136.4spent!!!
  • Katiehound
    Katiehound Posts: 8,065 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I've typed a comment about 5 times now!, You can make a cheaper alternative with cornflour & PVA glue.
     I think you need to google it because each time I add the web address here it takes me straight  there and I lose this message!!
    Creative Cat has a good video. She cooks it, adds vinegar/lemon as preservative and some oil, then works it with oiled hands. Certainly worth a watch. She also uses many kinds of colourants. I will try to add youtube link below!
    Being polite and pleasant doesn't cost anything!
    -Stash bust:in 2022:337
    Stash bust :2023. 120duvets, 24bags,43dogcoats, 2scrunchies, 10mitts, 6 bootees, 8spec cases, 2 A6notebooks, 59cards, 6 lav bags,36 angels,9 bones,1 blanket, 1 lined bag,3 owls, 88 pyramids = total 420total spend £5.Total for 'Dogs for Good' £546.82

    2024:Sewn:59Doggy ds,52pyramids,18 bags,6spec cases,6lav.bags.
    Knits:6covers,4hats,10mitts,2 bootees.
    Crotchet:61angels, 229cards=453 £136.4spent!!!
  • Katiehound
    Katiehound Posts: 8,065 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 26 July 2020 at 11:51AM
    Being polite and pleasant doesn't cost anything!
    -Stash bust:in 2022:337
    Stash bust :2023. 120duvets, 24bags,43dogcoats, 2scrunchies, 10mitts, 6 bootees, 8spec cases, 2 A6notebooks, 59cards, 6 lav bags,36 angels,9 bones,1 blanket, 1 lined bag,3 owls, 88 pyramids = total 420total spend £5.Total for 'Dogs for Good' £546.82

    2024:Sewn:59Doggy ds,52pyramids,18 bags,6spec cases,6lav.bags.
    Knits:6covers,4hats,10mitts,2 bootees.
    Crotchet:61angels, 229cards=453 £136.4spent!!!
  • Montysmam
    Montysmam Posts: 22 Forumite
    10 Posts
    Thank you for posting this, I'm always looking for new craft ideas and this looks like it could be fun!
  • nic2075
    nic2075 Posts: 3,025 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I used to get Fimo from eBay. It’s been a while, but when I searched for lowest price etc I got some good deals. 
    :santa2::xmastree::santa2:
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