Polymer Clay Danish Christmas Heart Ornament

The image of a Danish Christmas heart takes me right back to my childhood filled with Danish elves and gnomes and Christmas trees with real burning candles dangling precariously on the branches. Dancing around the Christmas tree on Christmas eve, while we singing psalms in each our own off-key tune and tempo. The Danish Christmas heart is synonymous with happiness.

I didn’t have a template when I decided to make these ornaments, so there was a bit of trial and error that went into creating these. But I am thrilled with the finished product. I know you can easily replicate my creations without wasting supplies, using curse words or throwing temper tantrums! Enjoy crafting success when you make these polymer clay Danish Christmas heart ornaments.

[bctt tweet=”#DIY #Danish #Christmas heart ornament #craft! Polymer clay creation that makes a great #gift!”]

Polymer clay Danish Christmas heart ornaments!

Step-by-step instructions to make a polymer clay Danish Christmas Heart Ornament:

Start with two large heart-shaped cookie cutters and make polymer clay ornaments in two different colors. Follow the instructions here.
Cut “an ear” off each of the hearts, as shown in the picture.
Cut a long slice in each of the “heart halfs” and remove the part you cut off in step # 2.
Place the parts as shown.
Start weaving the strands: slide the two red strands between the two other strands.
Slide a light strand under a red. Place the red above the light strand – as shown in the picture.
Finish weaving. Apply a little pressure to make sure the two layers are attached to each other.
Bake and finish according to the instructions listed below.

Supplies and tools used for all these ornaments:

Cookie cutters: I used an assortment of old cookie cutters my grandmother gave me. But these would be perfect for this project.

Polymer clay: I really love the ones with a little shimmer.

Twine

Polymer Clay Tools

Rolling pin

Small straw, pencil or other pointy object (Hopefully there is no need for an image of this.)

Cookie sheet (I will spare you a picture of my old cookie sheets!)

Oven (I won’t add a picture here. I bet you can handle this item without my help!)

Tips for making ornaments with polymer clay:

**Read this before you start!**

Start with a small piece of clay and mold it in your hands. It takes a few minutes to warm up the clay so it is easier to work with. This is a perfect job for little helpful hands.
Note! Some of the bright and colorful clay may temporarily stain your hands (and surfaces).
- Wash your hands when you start working with a new color.
- Protect your working surface with an old plastic place mat.
Keep a package of baby wipes close. They are perfect for a quick clean up, before your messy toddler breaks free and sticks his little grubby fingers all over your otherwise spotless house!
Hopefully this goes without saying, but an adult needs to handle the clay going in and coming out of the oven.

Baking & finishing instructions:

These apply to all the polymer clay ornaments!

Preheat the oven to 275F.
Place your creations on an oven-proof glass or metal surface. An old cookie sheet works perfectly.
Bake for 15 minutes per 1/4” of thickness – MAYBE LESS – watch the oven like a hawk!
I group my ornaments together by size and thickness, and bake the larger ones in a separate batch.
Do NOT microwave
Do NOT over-bake. The clay is NOT supposed to brown lightly on the edge like a pizza – take it from someone who has an entire cookie sheet of “Pinterest-fail” ornaments.
Once the ornament has cooled completely, apply a layer of glaze for that beautiful finished touch.
Thread the twine through the hole, once the glaze has completely dried.
Write the child’s name and year on the back of the glazed ornament with a Sharpie permanent marker.
Voila! Your ornament is now ready to spread cheer throughout the world.