DIY Scandinavian Inspired Star Garland
Hello lovelies! As promised yesterday I've put together a charming DIY Star Garland tutorial for you. This project was inspired by the sweet simplicity of Scandinavian holiday decor and I really love how it turned out. You can hang these vertically, drape them horizontally, or even use them to adorn gifts! I hope you'll have as much fun making these as I did (maybe you'll even make extras to give as presents).
Supplies needed:
- LaDoll Premier Light Weight Stone Clay - I purchased my clay from a local Michael's craft store, but it is also available online here, and here.
- Rolling pin (nonstick) - You can also use your hands to flatten your clay for a less uniform, more handmade look.
- Mini star cookie cutter - I used the insert of a linzer cookie cutter for my garland, but you can use any size cookie cutter you'd like. The clay in this project dries very light weight and will lend itself well to a wide variety of sizes.
- Sequins (optional) - available at craft stores.
- Hot glue gun & glue sticks - I used the hot variety, but I recommend the low heat varieties for safety reasons.
- Baker's twine / twine - Baker's twine can be found just about everywhere online these days (a quick google search should give you plenty of options). Alternately you can use embroidery thread, ribbon, twine, or even dental floss.
- Covered work surface - I used the waxed side of butcher paper to roll out my clay and work on.
Step 1: Roll out a small amount of your clay on your covered work surface until it is smooth and the desired thickness is achieved (there is no right or wrong thickness for this project).
Step 2: Using your cookie cutter begin punching out your shapes. Set them aside and allow to dry. This should take anywhere from 8-24 hours depending upon the thickness of your cut shapes.
Step 3: Once your stars are dry, plug your hot glue gun in and let it heat up. Once heated, apply a tiny dot of glue to the back of a star and place your twine through the middle of it.
Step 4: While the glue is still hot carefully set a sequin on top of the glue/twine and press down lightly to adhere. Repeat this process spacing your stars as far apart from one another as you'd like. Be sure to leave a decent length of twine at both ends for hanging. Your garland will tangle easily so I recommend wrapping it gently around a piece of cardboard (cut a notch at the top and bottom of the cardboard for your garland ends to lock onto).
Your garland (or modified versions of this project) can be used to embellish special holiday gifts too (you can even write or paint on this clay once it has dried)! Experiment with other cookie cutter shapes to make unique gift tags and embellishments...or even ornaments for your tree! xo Ez
53 Lovely Comments | Email Article | found in D.I.Y. + Projects, Gift Giving / Wrapping Ideas, Holiday Inspiration/Projects, Tutorials Print Article | Share This | 
| by Ez Tuesday, November 30, 2010 
Reader Comments (53)
What a great idea - love it! I also love how you've used a ceramic egg holder to hold all the crafty bits - v. clever!
ooh! This gave me so many other ideas!!! I shared this tutorial with a local cookie cutter company here in my town. I think they will love it!
This garland gives so many ideas! Simple and totally festive!
Congrats and thank you :)
It is sooo easy! im doing it as soon as i get some time off from school ;)
thanks EZ!
<3
I've never used the stone clay before. How does it compare to other air-dry clays? I love this idea!
This is so beautiful and such a great tutorial! I will definitely be making this as soon as I'm finished school this semester. Thank you for sharing.
Sarah
Thanks again for all of your lovely comments everyone! Each one truly brightened my day!
@ Alicia - This clay is really nice to work with. It is very smooth and easy to shape/cut. Once dry it is remarkably hard but also lightweight. I've used another paper clay in the past that did not yield nearly as nice of a result as this brand. xo Ez
Thank you very much! I´ll make this project with my daughters in the vacations.
I'm inspired! wow :D I love it,
so simple, so sweet!
super cute. will have to do this.
That is just so pretty & dainty. Fab DIY!
The garland is so lovely and make every gift so special! I will try it out too.
I realy like your blog and the things you do!
Many greetings from Germany.
Mareike
http://casacolorata.wordpress.com/
these are SOOOOO nice and sweet! gonna try them asap!
oh that is DARLING! i must try! i have all materials except the clay.
You are wonderful! I bought some clay a few months ago to make tree decorations but I didn't like how they turned out so I had a packet of clay with no plans until reading this! I'm going to use it to make your wonderful garland!
love this idea so much i had to send the link to my husband (who is crafty - yay! - and will love it too!) so we will have a little project to work on together. fun! thank you!
also, can we talk about that blue egg carton-ish item you have stuff in? i think i might be having a little love affair with it and i'd love to know more about it!
thank you again!
I seriously love this!
Wonderful Ez! Can I ask what you used to write 'Julia' and make the little dots with, as on the clay gift tag in the last photo?
Thank you so much everyone for your comments!
Stephanie - I used a Le Pen by Marvy. Any fine-tipped marker should work though. :-)
Such a great idea. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas.
Hi!
Wanted you to know I posted a link to this tutorial today on my blog, PaperFriendly.
Nancy Ward
PaperFriendly
http://www.nancywardcrafts.com
So cute! I love this idea and your instructions are great!
Kindly, ldh
This is more than sweet! I'll try to make such a Garland and share the result on my blog!
Warm wishes from cold Germany
Anita
Oh, they are just so sweet - adorable! Thanks for posting this too - I've got it linked to my stars post as well today, nice job!
Sweet! Tiny, delicate and pretty :)
So nice stopping by to visit with you!
Kindly, Lorraine