Crafts: Dough Ornaments

Salt Dough Ornaments 

Salt dough is a simple and fun way to make all sorts of hand molded or cookie cutter creations.

Note! THIS DOUGH IS NOT EDIBLE.

You will need:

1 cup salt
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup water
acrylic paint in any shade
paintbrush
pencil
ribbon
clear acrylic sealer

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This recipe for salt dough makes a lot of ornaments. If you only plan on making a few, cut this recipe into fourths or in half.

What you do

Preheat oven to 250 F. Mix together, salt, flour, and water until a dough is formed. Knead the dough on a floured surface until the mixture is elastic and smooth. If dough is too sticky, sprinkle with flour, continue to do so until stickiness is gone. BE CAREFUL. Do not add too much flour, this will dry out the dough and will cause it to crack before you get a chance to bake it.

Roll out the dough to approximately 1 inch thick. Use a cookie cutter of any variety, to create the shape you want. Once your shape is cut out, use your fingers to smooth the edges.

! Tip: Use a tooth-pick to carve fancy designs into your dough - being sure not to go too deep into the dough

Place onto the cookie sheet as you cut out each one to avoid trying to move it later, space approximately 3/4" apart Use the point of a pen or pencil to create a hole at the top of the shape for the ribbon hanger.

Bake ornament(s) on cookie sheet for approximately 2 hours.
Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

To decorate, paint the ornament with the paint color of your choice. Paint the back as well. Apply a second coat to both sides, let dry. Finish with a coat of clear acrylic sealer. String ribbon through the hole at the top of the heart and knot it at the top.

No-Bake Cinnamon Dough Ornaments

Note! THIS DOUGH IS NOT EDIBLE.


1 1/2 C. ground cinnamon
1 C. applesauce
1/4 C. white school glue - like Elmer's

1. Mix cinnamon, applesauce, and glue together in a bowl

2. Mixture should have a consistency of cookie dough
! Tip: If it seems hard - add a little water

3. Knead dough for 5-10 minutes, place in bowl, cover with plastic wrap so it doesn't dry out, and let sit for 30-45 minutes

4. Knead dough again until smooth

5. Roll out dough between waxed paper until thickness is 1/8 to 1/4 inch

Use cookie cutters to create trees, gingerbread people, and holiday shapes. Use a straw to make a hole so you can hang the ornament.

Place ornaments on wax paper for drying. Drying will take 3-5 days, turn ornaments over a few times a day in order for them to day flat and prevent curling of the edges. Ornaments will shrink a little while drying.