DIY Clay Leaf Ornaments – Beautiful Christmas Craft

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Use air dry clay and leaves to make simple nature-inspired DIY ornaments.  A festive and simple Christmas craft for all ages! 

We love Christmas crafts especially DIY ornaments! Get ready to make your Christmas tree extra special with these DIY clay leaf ornaments! Using simple air-dry clay and fresh greenery, you can create beautiful, nature-inspired handmade ornaments that capture the beauty of the holiday season.

The leaf imprints add a lovely texture and a touch of the outdoors to your decorations. This easy craft is fun for kids and grown-ups. The finished ornaments make wonderful handmade gifts or keepsakes.

Clay Leaf Ornaments 

• Air-dry clay (this is our tried and trued brand we use and it does a great job!)
• Rolling pin
• Fresh leaves and greenery (such as ferns, holly, ivy, or small flower petals)
• Parchment paper
• Round cookie cutter (or any shape you prefer for your ornaments)
• Drinking straw (for making the hole)
• Watercolor paints (preferably green for leaf imprints)
• Paintbrush

How to make Clay Leaf Ornaments

Step 1: Prepare the Clay

Start by rolling out the air-dry clay to about 3/8 to 1/4 inch thickness. You can use a rolling pin to help achieve an even thickness. It’s helpful to roll out your clay on a piece of parchment paper to prevent it from sticking to your work surface.

Step 2: Press the Greenery into the Clay

Once your clay is rolled out, it’s time to add the greenery! Take your leaves or greenery and arrange them on top of the clay. Make sure they’re placed flat to the surface to get a clear imprint. Then, lay a piece of parchment paper over the greenery and gently roll over it with your rolling pin. This will press the leaves into the clay and leave behind a beautiful, detailed imprint.

Step 3: Cut Out Your Ornament Shapes

Once you’ve pressed the greenery into the clay, carefully remove the leaves and greenery from the surface. Now, use your round cookie cutter (or any shape you prefer) to cut out your ornament shapes from the clay. Be sure to press firmly to get clean edges.

Step 4: Poke a Hole for Hanging

To create a spot for hanging your ornament later, use a drinking straw to gently poke a hole near the top of each ornament. Make sure the hole is big enough for a string or ribbon to fit through.

Step 5: Let the Ornaments Dry

Place your clay ornaments on a flat surface covered with wax or parchment paper to dry. Follow the instructions on your air-dry clay package for drying time (typically 24-48 hours, depending on thickness). Make sure they dry completely before handling or painting.

Step 6: Paint the Leaf Imprints

Once your ornaments are dry, it’s time to add some color! Use a small paintbrush to carefully paint the leaf imprints with green watercolor paint. This will highlight the textures and details of the leaves. 

Step 7: Let the Paint Dry and Add String

After you’ve painted the leaf imprints, let the paint dry completely. Once dry, thread a piece of twine through the hole at the top of each ornament. Your ornaments are now ready to hang on the Christmas tree, or you can gift them to friends and family as unique holiday decorations.

Final Thoughts:

Making Christmas leaf clay ornaments is a fun and creative way to add nature to your holiday decor. Whether you’re crafting with kids or creating ornaments for your own tree, this easy DIY project allows you to show off nature and make something truly special.

The best part? These ornaments are completely customizable – you can mix and match different leaves, paints, and shapes to create a one-of-a-kind set of decorations that will bring festive cheer to your home year after year. Happy crafting, and may your holiday season be filled with handmade joy.