Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on November 25, 1970.
Ornaments Can Be Worn As Jewelry
This year make ornaments that the Christmas tree can wear now and you can wear later as jewelry when the tree is long gone. You’ll be right in the swim of the Seventies, giving vent to self-expression. And it's a project for the entire family, from youngest to oldest, for even the crudest renditions will have that “now” flavor.
Here’s how to proceed. First, you make a clay which is concocted of two of your household staples, baking soda, and cornstarch. Combine thoroughly in a saucepan 2 cups of the baking soda and 1 cup of the corn starch; then add 1¼ cups cold water.
Mix until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly. Cook a minute longer or until the mixture resembles moist mashed potatoes (overcooking makes clay crumbly). Remove from heat immediately, transfer to a plate and cover with a damp cloth until cooked enough to handle.
Knead a little and store all but what you’re about to use in a closed plastic bag.
Roll out the clay on waxed paper to ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters for your basic shapes, stars, triangles, circles. For bas relief effect cut out smaller pieces with aspic cutters or bottle caps or mold freehand moisten and press into pre-cut larger shapes Etch patterns with tip of a knife.
While clay is still soft, insert a twisted loop wire into one edge for hanging, Ornaments will harden overnight. To speed up the process, place on a wire rack in a warm (350 degrees) turned off oven for a half-hour.
Paint in smashing shades with watercolor tempera; and for a ceramic-like finish, dip in clear shellac, spray with clear plastic, or brush on clear nail polish.
Now onto the tree they go, gay, carefree (they’re fireproof) ornaments. And when dismantling day comes ‘round, instead of packing them away in a carton for yearlong hibernation wear them strung on a chain as a pendant, or with a pin glued onto the backside as a brooch.
The smaller pieces can dangle from ears, hooked onto five-and-dime-bought earring backers.
Ornaments Now: Ornaments that your tree can wear now and you can wear later as jewelry are made from clay concocted of kitchen shelf baking soda and cornstarch.