Ingredients
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon white craft glue (optional)
- 1 tablespoon dark blue acrylic paint
- 1 teaspoon violet acrylic paint
- 1 teaspoon bright blue acrylic paint
- 1 teaspoon white acrylic paint
- 1 tablespoon silver or iridescent acrylic paint
- 1 piece parchment paper (about 12 inches by 16 inches)
- 1 small saucepan (about 1 quart)
- 1 silicone spatula or wooden spoon
- 1 rolling pin (about 12 inches long) or a smooth glass jar
- 1 round cookie cutter (2.5 to 3 inches wide)
- 1 drinking straw or bamboo skewer
- 1 small star cutter (about 1/2 inch wide, optional)
- 1 sheet of fine sandpaper (220 grit)
- 8 feet cotton cord or ribbon, cut into eight 12-inch pieces
- 1 small paintbrush (about 1/4 inch wide)
- 1 disposable table covering or drop cloth
- 1 pair nitrile or vinyl gloves (optional)
- 1 roll painter's tape (optional)
- 1 wire cooling rack or flat tray
Instructions
- Cover your table before you begin with parchment or drop cloth.
- Add 1 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup cornstarch, and 3/4 cup water to the saucepan. If you want a slightly sturdier ornament, stir in 1 tablespoon white craft glue before heating, but do not add the paint yet.
- Warm the mixture over low to medium-low heat, stirring constantly. After about 4 to 7 minutes, it should thicken into a soft mound that pulls away from the sides.
- Turn off the heat and transfer the warm dough to parchment paper. Let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Knead the dough for 2 to 3 minutes until it looks even and feels smooth. If it sticks to your hands, dust the parchment with a very small amount of cornstarch.
- Divide the dough into four portions. Keep one portion for dark blue, and divide the others for violet, bright blue, and white. Work 1 tablespoon dark blue acrylic paint into the largest portion and 1 teaspoon of each of the other colors into their portions.
- Roll the dark blue dough between two sheets of parchment until it measures about 1/4 inch thick. Pinch off small pieces of other colors and scatter them, then roll once or twice more to blend.
- Press the round cutter into the dough and lift each circle carefully onto the cooling rack or tray.
- Use the straw or skewer to make a hole near the top of each ornament. Leave at least 1/4 inch of clay above the hole.
- If desired, use the star cutter to create stars from white dough or dot with white paint later.
- Smooth any rough edges and let the ornaments dry flat for 24 to 48 hours.
- Once dry, paint tiny silver or white stars with the small brush. Let the paint dry for at least 30 minutes, then thread a piece of cord or ribbon through each hole and tie a knot.
Notes
Keep children supervised during the project, especially when handling the hot saucepan and cutting tools. Proceed cautiously with paint and clean up safely.
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
