Botanical Imprint Clay Heart Ornaments

Using air dry clay, a cookie cutter, and a few sprigs of dried flowers I created the prettiest botanical imprint clay heart ornaments. They could be hung individually or in a bunch.

Making Clay Heart Ornaments

Looking for a pretty way to use air-dry clay? Let me show you how I used dried botanicals and a heart cookie cutter to make lovely ornaments that can be hung separately or in a cluster.

These heart ornaments can be used for Valentine’s Day, a bridal shower favor, on a Christmas tree, or attached to a wreath.

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Supplies

To make the clay hearts I am going to use Crayola air-dry clay, This is my first time working with this brand but I really liked it!

I am also using a larger-sized metal heart cookie cutter, this project can be made with any shape cookie cutter that you would like, and I think a staggered set of heart cutters would look so pretty!

To make the botanical imprints I am using dried baby’s breath and dried seeded eucalyptus. Any smaller-sized flowers or leaves would work for this project.

Another option is to use a piece of lace or even a paper doily to make imprints.

• Air Dry Clay
• Rolling Pin
• Heart Cookie Cutter
• Botanicals (Fresh, Dried, or Artificial)
• Jute Twine or Thin Ribbon

Roll Out the Clay

To make it easier to work with the clay I put a silicone baking mat underneath the clay before I rolled it out. It’s one of my favorite tricks when working with any kind of clay I’m cutting shapes out of.

For the clay heart ornaments, I think having the clay 1/4 inch in thickness is perfect. The hearts come out sturdy but not so thick that they will take ages to dry.

Make Flower Imprints

After the clay was rolled out, I placed the botanicals around the clay.

There are two ways to make the botanical imprints for this project: either using a rolling pin and going gently over the flowers or using your fingers to press them gently into the clay.

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Cut Out the Shapes

Next, I took my heart cookie cutter and cut out the shapes. Taking in mind to place the cutter strategically over the botanical imprints to create the design that I wanted.

For some of the hearts I had the imprint in the middle of the clay and for some, I had it more to the edges. Just to get a different look on each one of the hearts.

When I ran out of room to cut another heart I rolled up the clay and repeated the process. It will be up to you how many ornaments you want to make.

Finishing Touches

Make sure to cut a hole in the top center of the clay (right under the bow of the heart) if you want to run jute or ribbon through them for hanging.

The best way to do this is with a straw. It’s super easy and the clay with come right out when you lift the straw.

Also, if you want a smoother look on the edges of the ornaments the easiest way to do that is to grab a small cup of water and dip your finger in it then run it around the edges of the hearts.

This also works if you see any cracks in the clay or lines you want to smooth.

Let Clay Dry

I placed all of my clay hearts on a rack to dry so the air could circulate and speed up the process.

You will be able to tell when the clay is completely dry by the look and feel of the hearts.

Paint the Heart Ornaments

For this project, I used glossy white spray paint. It is the quickest way to paint the ornaments.

Feel free to use a glossy acrylic craft paint…and also any color will work. I am going for a more neutral vibe with mine.

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Making the Ornaments

For extra detail, I painted unfinished wood beads with blush-colored paint.

My trick for making it a bit easier to paint the beads was to put them on a toothpick. Then I poked the toothpicks into a small pine cone to dry. That way they all stayed slightly airborne.

To make a way to hang the hearts I chose to use jute twine that was thin enough for me to string the wood beads through.

This part will depend on how you want to use your ornaments. If you are planning on using them separately on a tree then you will need to cut the jute twine in smaller lengths.

If you want to make a set of hanging hearts then cut the jute pieces about a yard long (you can adjust the length accordingly afterward).

Fold the jute in half and string the bead through the two ends, thread the closed loop of the jute through the hole on the ornament then tighten the jute twine by pulling on the ends until the bead ends up at the top of the heart.

To make a hanging set of clay hearts gather an odd number of the ornaments. I will show you what it looks like with 5 and then 3 hearts.

I gathered 5 hearts and staggered them in length so that when they are hung up you can see each heart.

Once I figured out the length I tied a simple know near the top of the jute. Then I added a bow made out of pink chiffon ribbon.

I love the look of something hanging on an old mirror like this one. First I hung a delicate artificial piece of greenery onto the mirror before hanging the clay hearts.

For a simpler look, I made a hanger with the other 3 clay hearts. Both ways looked so pretty, it just comes down to personal preference.

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