You can create this Valentine’s Day centerpiece in just 5 steps. It’s sweet-but-simple, inexpensive, and you’ll be able to use it for more than one season. Hint: you’ll need sticks from your yard. Notice I did NOT say expensive flowers, I said STICKS.
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And once Valentine’s Day is over, remove the ornaments and put a simple strand of battery-powered microlights on the sticks. Or add some sparkly snowflakes. Instant winter ambiance.
Easter? Hang some bunnies or egg ornaments.
Fourth of July, try patriotic ribbon ties.
Thanksgiving? How about a gratitude tree?
You get the idea.
Step 1: Shop Your House for a Container
We’re going to start with my favorite design tip: Shop Your House. Look around your house and find a container for your sticks– I chose this glass bottle, but you could use a large mason jar or a vase.
Step 2: Shop Your Yard for Sticks + Arrange
Next, we’re going to use another tip: Shop Your Yard. Go outside and collect/cut some sticks from your yard. I chose these Russian sage branches, because they turn a gorgeous ash gray in the winter and they still have dried buds and a lovely scent. They are also nice and flexible, so the ornaments aren’t going to break the sticks. Bare branches from anything will work just fine. Place them in your container and you have the foundation for this centerpiece.
Step 3: Roll, Cut + Stamp Air Dry Clay Ornaments
The ornaments are so easy to make and you don’t even have to bake them– just use air dry modeling clay.
Start by tearing off the desired amount of clay. You’ll want to knead it a bit to soften, then roll out. Flip over and roll the other side. My ornaments are just under 1/4″ thick. Use whatever cookie cutter you’d like. For this set, I used a simple heart.
Remove the excess clay outside the cut lines and repeat until you have your batch of ornaments.
Use letter stamps to personalize or write your sentiment. These stamps are awesome, they connect and lock in place so you don’t have to worry if your letters are straight. They’re also food safe and come with a little bag for storage.
I used a juice box straw to cut a small round hole that I will put my ribbon through. Just give it a twist for a clean cut.
You don’t have to bake them or do anything special. I left mine on wax paper for a few days. Each day, flip them over and by day three they’ll be solid and completely dry. Once dry, you can sand the edges with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth out rough edges.
Step 4: Paint Ornaments
I wanted my ornaments to look like conversation hearts, so once dry, I painted with pale pink chalk paint. Chalk paint is great because it’s thicker and won’t break down the clay. You could also sponge on acrylic, but I wouldn’t recommend watercolors.
Make sure you get into the grooves of the lettering and you can use a toothpick to get out any excess paint. You could also use a fine point marker in the letter grooves if you wanted them to be a different color.
Use a thin twine or ribbon and tie for ornaments. Tip: use a toothpick to push through your ribbon. Tie and hang your ornaments on your Valentine’s Day centerpiece.
We made these ornaments at Christmas and used them on a garland for the staircase. They are also gorgeous on a wine bottle or gift bag.
Either way, they are even more fun when you make them with or for the ones you love.
Socially distant hugs and air kisses,
