How to Make Clay Cardinal Christmas Ornaments DIY

Learn how to make clay cardinal Christmas tree ornaments with air dry clay and some easy tools.

These cardinals are a symbol of loved ones, a good omen and bring lots of joy to all that see them and they make the perfect Christmas craft.

Air dry clay dries to a ceramic-like finish and is a great family craft, great for handmade gifts and for DIY holiday decor this Christmas season.

I decided to do a cardinal themed Christmas tree this year because they are just beautiful!

They are a sign of goodness to so many people, they bring hope and the thoughts of loved ones long gone. 

When I lived in the south for 3 years I loved seeing these red bandits flying and perching in my tree.

Making DIY clay ornaments if so much fun and a great way to celebrate the holiday season with family. 

Air dry clay is much easier to work with than salt dough ornaments or oven bake clay--and almost have ceramic ornaments feel. 

Supplies Needed for Air Dry Clay Cardinal Ornaments:

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• Air Dry Clay
• Cookie Cutters
• Rolling Pin
• Clay tools
• Straw
• Tooli-Art Paint Pens (or Acrylic Craft Paint)
• Black and White Bakers Twine
• Cup of water

Step 1: Roll out Clay

Begin by rolling out a handful of white clay.

You can roll it between 2 layers of wax paper or on parchment paper, but I just roll it on a smooth surface until it is about 1/4 inch-thick slab.

Step 2: Cookie Cutters

Use the cookie cutter shape circle...or you could turn it over and make a scalloped shape.

Press the cookie cutter into the clay firmly, I always twist the cookie cutter around to really release it from the rest of the clay.

Step 3: Small Hole

Now remove the excess clay from the circles and use a drinking straw to poke holes in the top of the ornament, about a quarter inch from the edge.

Step 4: Carving

Dip your fingers in some water and smooth out the edges of the clay pieces so they are nice and smooth.
Then use a clay tool with a wire on it to carve out the desired design into the clay.

I'm doing 3 of the same cardinal pattern, but you can get creative and become little ceramic artists...imprinting little hands, using different cookies cutters, and carving different designs into the clay.

Draw simple lines, scooping out a little of the clay as you go, not gouging it too deep though.

Use water and your finger to smooth out the rough edges and lines.

Repeat images, keep them simple, add dots, get as creative as you like.

Step 5: Dry Time

I set my ornaments on a wax paper covered piece of cardboard and once satisfied with my design, I set them aside to dry.

You could set them on a drying rack or a silicone mat too.

The air dry clay Christmas ornaments drying process is about 24 hours to dry completely...this can be a longer time if you have humidity. 

It's better to let them dry slowly at room temperature instead of dehydrating, baking or speeding up the drying time because rapid drying can cause cracking.

Set them aside for a couple days and then gather the whole family for another fun craft day of painting ornaments!

Step 6: Painting

I wanted my Christmas tree ornaments to be simple and mostly natural items, so I just did a little painting.

I used silver paint and splattered it on the dry clay ornaments here and there...I think this gives it a speckled ceramic look too.

Next, I used the Tooli-Art red paint pen and colored the cardinal sections in red.

Then I colored the front of the face black with another paint marker.

Finally I painted in the beaks with the orange paint pen.

Now you have beautiful ornaments ready to decorate! 

There's nothing as great as homemade Christmas decorations to me.

These darling ornaments are easy to make and perfect for younger kids little fingers to help create.
Clay dough is easy to use and not messy.

If this is your first time making ornaments, air-dry clay is a great alternative to salt dough Christmas ornaments.

The best way to hang them is to add some twine through the small hole at the top.

The only thing better than the homemade feel of ornaments is cut out cookies to eat--but these will last from next year and on.

That's it!

Making air dry clay cardinal Christmas tree ornaments is a fun holiday craft and perfect for the whole family to enjoy!

Crafting is my favorite part of the holiday season, and taking a couple of hours to craft together is super memorable.

Think of fun ways to decorate ornaments, make them cookie cutter shapes--a candy cane, Christmas tree, gingerbread man and more.

Make hand prints in the clay to gift to grandma and grandpa for Christmas too!

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