DIY Christmas star from salt dough – quick and easy craft ideas

DIY Christmas star from salt dough is not only a fun and festive activity but it is also budget friendly. These easy crafts are incredible entertainment for children and they will feel that all this is a very important thing. Salt dough is a safe material and even small kids can work with. We know that little ones are very curious and often want to taste, and it is much better if they work with harmless materials. For example, you shall not be worried if they tasted some salt dough but if they ate clay or polymer clay, well… let’s just keep to salt dough!

DIY Christmas star from salt dough tutorial

DIY Christmas star from salt dough ideas begins with a basic recipe. Salt dough is very easy to make and you do not need any exotic or hard to find ingredients. Basically, every woman has flour, salt, and water at home and this is all you need! Rye salt dough keeps the better shape but looks darker but you can use plain wheat flour. Here is What you will need:

Ingredients:

• • 2 cups all-purpose bleached flour (or rye flour)

• • 1 cup salt

• • 1 cup warm water

• • 1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil (optional)

• • food coloring (optional)

• • Rolling pin

• • Star shaped cookie cutters

• • Straw

• • Cookie sheet or flat, strong surface

• • Parchment paper

• Paint markers, stamps for decorating, glitter, glue, etc.

Directions:

• • In a bowl mix the dry ingredients – salt and flour.

• • Pour 3/4 cup of warm water over the dry ingredients. Stir the mixture until it is well combined. If needed, add the remaining water until the mixture feels like cookie dough. For colored dough, you need to add food coloring to the water before mixing it into the flour and salt.

• • If the dough is sticky, add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. The finished dough can be stored in a refrigerator tightly wrapped in plastic wrap.

• • On a very well floured board, roll dough out to 1/4″ thick.

• • Cut dough with cookie cutters into star shapes.

• • Use a straw to create holes for hanging.

• • Remove excess dough from around ornaments and roll out the remaining dough to make additional ornaments. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and place the ornaments on the paper to dry.

• • Flip ornaments every 24 hours until dry. The drying process will take 3-4 days depending on humidity.

• If you want to speed up the process you can dry the ornaments in the oven. Transfer ornaments to cookie sheets and bake at 100C (200F) degrees for 2-3 hours, or until hard. The ornaments should only harden but not brown.

DIY Christmas star from salt dough – decorating tips and ideas

We have selected some interesting DIY Christmas star from salt dough ideas and different ways of using them as decoration. You can arrange them as chair decoration, you can use them as tree ornaments or craft garlands, you can use stamps or colorful pens and customize a star for every member of the family. Of course, handmade stars from salt dough can be the perfect gift topper, so as you see there are numerous ways to use them.

The easiest way is to make a flat silhouette, covered with paint, with or without a pattern. Roll out the dough, cut out the figures and let them dry. When you want to decorate the stars, you can add food coloring to the dough itself or paint the stars afterward. If you paint your ornaments afterward, it will be a good idea to fix the colors with hairspray or acrylic lacquer.

For example, with holiday stamps and an ink pad, you can create unique rustic, vintage-looking designs. If you prefer a more glamorous look, apply a thin layer of glue on the surface of the star and dip in glitter power, nonpareil, sequins or beads. You can use glitter powder in different colors and will have beautiful personalized gifts or magical tree ornaments. Allow drying completely before hanging. Salt dough stars can be crafted in advance and stored. They can be fragile so pack with a tissue when storing.

When you are ready to decorate, cut long pieces of lace or ribbons for each ornament. Thread through ornament holes and tie a knot to secure. Use your DIY Christmas star from salt dough for your festive decor and remember to enjoy yourself!