Polymer Clay Red and Green Swirls Christmas Ornament
I made this ornament by covering a plain glass ornament with red and green polymer clay using spirals and dots to cover it. It was actually a pretty easy project and kind of relaxing since you don’t need to fuss to much about things being perfect. I used two colors but one color would be great too.
You’ll need a glass ornament, green and green polymer clay, liquid polymer clay, and a sharpie (optional).
Step 2 - draw a line around the center
Step 1: Cover the entire ornament with liquid polymer clay. You just need a thin coat. This will help the polymer clay start on the ornament. Bake the ornament for about 15-20 minutes.
Step 2: Add a guide line.
When the ornament is cool, draw a line around the center as guide where the color changes. This helps keep you edge even.
Polymer Clay Swirls
Step 3: Make a Few Basic Shapes
Roll out a few thin snakes, about 1 to 2 inches long and make some spirals or “S” shapes to start. It helps to also have to dots ready to apply to fill in any empty spaces. It helps to make a few to get started but you make more as you need them.
Step 4: Adding Swirls
Step 4: Add Spirals and Swirls
Starting at the bottom of the ball, start by placing a green spiral on the ornament and then another.Work outward, starting by adding pieces in around the edges and making a bigger and bigger circle of spirals and dots
Using dots or smaller snakes to fill in all the spaces. Sometimes it is easier to fill a narrow space, then add a curl.
Two things to keep in mind, keep the snakes a consistent width and don’t over lap the spirals or dots. They don’t need to be all the same size and use your imaginations to make squiggles. Continue with the swirls and dots and even teardrops to fill up all the spaces as you work your way around.
Step 4: Detail of swirls
Step 5: Changing Colors
Step 5: Changing to a new color.
When you have worked your self up to the guide line,it is time to change colors. Be sure you have reached the guide all
the way around. This helps keep it even and then you can put away the green clay and just work with the red.
Continue with the swirls and dots and even teardrops to fill up all the spaces as you work your way around until you reach the top
When you reach the top, bake the ornament according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Red and Green Christmas Ornament
You are all done, add a ribbon and hang it on your tree. I added a light patina after baking to enhance the swirls. Some other variations to try are using all one colors, adding some glitter or mica powders. I think for my next I will try using white clay with a blue patina. That could be an interesting effect. However for now I am just making these for gifts and they aren’t for sale in my Artfire shop, FantasyClay
