Merry Little Owl Holiday Ornament Tutorial

This may seriously be the cutest thing I've ever made.  I hear Jack Nicholson in my head yelling, "You can't handle the cuteness." And he's right, I can't! I need to make more right now.  Okay, well maybe I can wait until this afternoon when I host my annual ornament making party with the fam. 

With just a few crafty materials you can whip these up.  You can get fancy with handmade hooks or keep it simple with waxed linen or cord.  I have several variations that I'll dish about down below.  If you make some of these you MUST show me! It's required.  By law.  Okay, it's not, but I would love to see what cutie pies you create.  You can share them on my Facebook page with me.

Supplies:
White polymer clay*
Acrylic paint - I use Folk brand craft paint (several colors plus raw umber)
Paint brushes
Plastic mechanical pencil
2" brass headpins
Pewter bead caps in different sizes
Waxed linen
Paper towels
Alphabet stamps (rubber stamps or metal stamps)
Wire cutters
Round and chain nose pliers

Optional - Clay sculpting tool with a fine point for carving details, you can find them in the polymer clay section at craft stores.  The ends kind of look like a dental tool.

*I like Sculpey for these kinds of projects.  It's easy on the hands and has a great matte finish that takes the paint nicely.

Safety:

• Work surface - cardstock, glass, tile - don't work directly on a table, polymer clay can eat the finish.
• Don't use kitchen items with clay, you must have a dedicated polymer clay pan. (Hello Dollar Store.)
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling clay
• Keep on eye on baking clay and use an oven thermometer to make sure you have the correct temperate.  

Make the Owls
1. Roll a 1" ball of clay in your hands.  Don't worry about measuring, just guesstimate.  Pinch the clay on one side to form a point for the ear, repeat on the other side.

2. Use the end of paint brush to make the eyes.  

3. Create a triangle with a tiny piece of clay. Press it onto the face of the owl, smooth out the edges with your finger.

4. Press the tip of the pencil (with the no lead) to create dots around the eyes.

5. Use the sculpting tool or headpin to create an oval shape for the wings. Trace out little feather shapes in the wing area with the sculpting tool.

6. Stamp words onto the belly with letter stamps.

7. Poke a hole through the length of the owl with the headpin. Bake according the manufacturers suggestions.

The last 3 photos show a few variations.

1. Use the tip of the pencil to create a feathered belly instead of stamping a word. 

2. Make a pointed nose and then press it down.

3. A simply nose option is to form a flat triangle instead of a pointed one. 

Painting:

1. Paint the owl the main color all over.

2. Antique the owl with brown paint, whip off immediately.

3. Paint the words a different color, whip off excess paint.

3. Touch up the color around the face and body of the owl. 

3. Paint around the eyes with just a little bit of paint, almost a dry brush.

4. Paint the feathers on the wings several different colors.

Wash your brush when switching colors and dry it completely each time.

 Finishing:

1. After the owl is dry, add it to a headpin.

2. String on two bead caps, upside down.

3. Trim the wire to 1/4" with wire cutters and form a simple loop.

4. Tie on waxed cord.

Each one will have his own personality! Create them in the colors that match your holiday decor.  I could see some in metallic colors too.

Remember if you make some, I'd love to see what you create!

This post has been added to the Art Bead Scene's Ornament Blog Hop, check out the great line up of creative ornaments here.