Christmas Clay Ornaments DIY

The holiday season is the perfect time to embrace creativity and make something special for your home or loved ones. I made Christmas clay ornaments with napkins and resin.

I crafted Christmas clay ornaments using napkin transfers, a fun and simple technique that turns polymer clay into one-of-a-kind holiday decor. These ornaments are great for decorating your tree, adding a personal touch to gift-wrapping, or crafting custom jewelry like earrings or pendants. They also make the perfect Christmas gift.

Assorted decorative tags with red and pink floral and swirl patterns on a white textured background.

Order my book, A HOME to SHARE, here!

A table with assorted decorated cookies in floral shapes and colors, a bowl of roses nearby, and a sofa with pink cushions in the background.

Crafting Clay Ornaments with Napkin Transfers

What’s wonderful about this project is how customizable it is. You can create beautiful pieces that feel uniquely yours with just a few materials and your favorite napkin designs.

As you likely are aware, I love using clay and napkin design. But over the years, I have struggled with finding a finish for my clay projects that resembled pottery and was not “homemade.” I finally found my answer … resin!

Today, I’ll show you how to bring these creations to life and provide tips to make the process easy and enjoyable.

Close-up of various floral and patterned ceramic pendants on a light wooden surface.

The glazed pottery look of these ornaments is perfect!

Supplies You’ll Need

Crafting supplies on a table, including resin kits, palm tree and floral napkins, wooden stir sticks, nail polish remover, and a white device with USB cable.

Before we get started, gather the following materials:

Polymer Clay: A pliable clay that’s easy to work with and bakes nicely.
Edged Rolling Pin: To roll your clay into smooth, even layers.
Decorative Napkins: Choose napkins with patterns or designs that inspire you—holiday motifs, florals, or abstract prints all work beautifully.
Nail Polish Remover: This household staple will transfer the napkin design onto the clay.
Cotton Pads: For applying nail polish remover to the napkin.
Cookie or Clay Cutters: These shape your ornaments into festive designs.

A collection of metal cookie cutters in various shapes, including gift boxes and circles, displayed on a marble surface.

UV Resin: Adds a glossy finish and protects the design.*
UV Lamp: Speeds up the curing process for the resin.*
Protective Gloves: To keep your hands clean while working with resin. You should also wear a mask.

*I bought a kit with the resin and lamp.

On this blog, I may sometimes use affiliate links, which means a small commission is earned if you purchase via the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link.

A package of DAS modeling clay, red and white with a photo of clay being rolled and shaped into a flower. — DAS Air-Hardening Modeling Clay

A wooden dowel rod with two thicker cylindrical ends, laying horizontally on a white background. — Maple Wood Rolling Pin – 1/4″

A bottle of Cutex Care Ultra-Powerful Nail Polish Remover, 6.7 fl. oz. The label highlights its effectiveness on glitter and dark colored polish, with acetone content of 98%. — Nail Polish Remover

Package of Amazon Basics cotton rounds, 100 count, in a clear plastic bag with a resealable top. — 100% Cotton Rounds

Three nested stainless steel cookie cutters shaped like gift boxes with bows are perfect for crafting delightful cookies or even clay ornaments for a festive touch.

Gift Present Box Cookie Cutter

A metal cookie cutter shaped like a gift box with a ribbon on top, perfect for crafting delightful clay ornaments. — Mini Gift Box Shaped Cookie Cutter

A stack of pink paper napkins with large white polka dots on them. — Polka Dots Guest Paper Napkins

A flamingo wearing a Santa hat and wreath stands among palm trees and festive presents. — Christmas Flamingos Paper Cocktail Napkins

Red and white floral pattern with swirling leaf designs. — Peppermint Swirl Christmas 3-Ply Lunch Napkins

Box of six ornament-shaped cookie cutters, each with a unique design reminiscent of clay ornaments, on a red background adorned with snowflake patterns. — R&M International Christmas Ornament Cookie Cutters

Metal cookie cutter shaped like a rectangular clipboard, perfect for crafting clay ornaments or adding unique touches to your baking creations. — 3.2 inch Small Gift Tag Cookie Cutter

A stack of decorative paper napkins featuring a floral design with pink and peach flowers on a white background. — 50 PCS Floral Paper Napkins

Three bottles of UV resin with floral labels, a UV lamp, disposable gloves, wooden sticks, and a silicone cup. — UV Resin Kit

Three bottles of clear UV resin with floral design labels, labeled as fast curing, low odor, no mixing, and measuring. — 300g UV Resin Clear

A hand is carefully placed under a white SUNUV LED nail lamp, its blue light gently curing both the nail polish and delicate clay ornaments waiting nearby. — UV LED Lamp

If you are wondering about my color palette for these ornaments, check back tomorrow to see the colors I used in our family room.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Crafting Clay Ornaments

1. Roll Out the Clay

A wooden rolling pin on a red and white baking mat with rolled-out dough.

Begin by rolling your polymer clay into a flat sheet. I used my rolling pin with a raised edge to ensure the clay was the same thickness on the entire sheet. Aim for consistent thickness—about 1/8″- ideal for sturdy but not heavy ornaments.

2. Prep Your Napkin

A white paper napkin is partially unfolded, revealing its patterned underside with a red floral and swirl design. A measuring grid is in the background.

Separate the top printed layer of your napkin from the plain backing layers. Only the thin, printed layer is needed for this project. Handle it gently to avoid tearing.

3. Position the Napkin on the Clay

A square piece of paper with an intricate symmetrical pink and white floral pattern on a textured surface with red measurement markings.

Lay the napkin design side down on your rolled-out clay. Position it carefully, as this will be the visible side of your ornament. Gently rub the napkin into the clay for a smoother design.

4. Attach the Design

A white cotton pad is placed on red and white patterned fabric, next to a measuring guide with metric markings.

Dab gently over the napkin using a cotton pad soaked in nail polish remover. The remover will adhere the napkin’s design to the clay’s surface. Avoid rubbing, as this can distort or tear the napkin—light tapping works best. You’ll see the pattern start to adhere as you work.

Do not lift the napkin off of the clay. Leave it on.

5. Cut Out Shapes

Red and white patterned cookie cutters on similarly patterned fabric.

Red and white patterned cookies are shaped like gingerbread people and circles, arranged on a baking mat with circular measurements.

Use cookie cutters or specialized clay cutters to create your desired shapes. Holiday-themed shapes like stars, snowflakes, or trees are always a hit, but circles, hearts, or abstract shapes work beautifully, too.

Press down hard so the napkin and clay are cut through. This will make it easier and prevent tears in the napkin. As soon as you are done cutting, remove the excess napkin on the scraps so you can reuse the clay.

Craft pieces with red floral and swirl patterns on a white surface, including round and gift-shaped cutouts.

If you plan to hang your ornaments, punch a small hole at the top to thread the ribbon or twine through.

6. Bake Your Clay

Handmade clay ornaments with floral and polka dot patterns are laid out on a flat surface.

Transfer your cut pieces to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in your oven at 225°F for about 15 minutes, or follow the specific instructions for your clay brand. This will harden the clay and set the transferred design. Flip them over and bake for another 10 – 15 minutes or until the back side is dry. (I don’t recommend using a baking rack as the clay will emulate the design from the rack surface. I know this from experience. Oops!)

Let them cool completely. This is crucial before applying any finish to ensure the pieces stay intact.

Red floral pattern with various flowers and leaves on a white background. — 100 Floral Party Napkins, Pink

Watercolor painting of green leaves and red berries, arranged in a diagonal pattern on a white background. — Party Napkin Pack, 5″ x 5″, Cranberry Wreath, 20-Count

7. Add a Glossy Finish

A bottle of UV resin and decorative pieces are arranged under a UV lamp for curing.

Apply a thin coat of UV resin to the surface of each ornament to give them a polished, professional look. Be sure to wear gloves and a mask and use a lighter or heat tool to remove any air bubbles that may appear.

When crafting with resin, you should take safety precautions to protect yourself from the resin, its fumes, and sanding dust:

Apply resin in a thin layer: Thick layers can cause the resin to crack or not cure properly.
Wear protective gear: Wear gloves, goggles, and a mask. You can also wear a long-sleeved shirt and an apron or overall.
Work in a well-ventilated area: If you can’t work in a well-ventilated area, wear a respirator.
Avoid skin contact: Resin is not water-soluble, so you should use a waterless skin cleanser to remove it. If you get hardener on your skin, wash it off with soap and warm water.
Don’t eat or drink: Don’t eat or drink while working with resin.
Dispose of resin responsibly: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for disposing unused or leftover resin.
Take breaks: Take breaks regularly.
Stop using resin if you react: If you develop a reaction, stop using resin and see a doctor.

Box of CarePlus small vinyl gloves with one glove displayed. The box highlights they are powder-free, latex-free, and for general purpose. Contains 100 single-use, ambidextrous gloves. — Disposable Gloves for Crafting

Three bottles of Nurture Rinse-Free Body Cleanser with aloe and vitamins B5 & E. Labels highlight no water needed, residue-free, non-sensitizing, and non-allergenic features. — Waterless Foaming Cleanser

Gray apron with adjustable straps and three front pockets, one holding a phone and others holding paper and pens. — Apron

25-Pack, Particulate Respirator N95 Face Masks

Clear and black anti-fog safety glasses with red accents, shown from side and front angles, with a tag reading "NoCry Anti Fog Safety Glasses. — NoCry Clear Safety Glasses

A black KN95 mask sits elegantly in front of a box labeled "KN95 Lement Foldable Protective Mask, Non-Medical, 50 PCS, GB2626-2019," almost like a piece from a collection of finely crafted clay ornaments. — KN95 Face Mask

8. Cure the Resin

UV lamp curing floral resin pieces on a cloth surface.

Place your resin-coated ornaments under a UV lamp to cure them. Most UV resins will harden within a few minutes, leaving a smooth, glossy surface that protects the design. I left the lamp on each ornament for about four minutes and then let them all dry on a cookie rack.

10. Add Final Touches

A floral ornament with a pink flower design hangs on a snowy Christmas tree branch adorned with lights.

A floral-patterned plate with a folded napkin, tied with a pink ribbon, rests on top. A small decorative tile with a rose design is placed on the napkin.

Thread a ribbon or decorative twine through the hole to create hanging ornaments or attach earring hooks for wearable pieces. This final step brings your creations to life, ready to adorn your tree or be given as heartfelt gifts.

A spool of pink and white twisted twine, wound tightly in a cylindrical shape. — Wrapables Cotton Baker’s Twine

Three spools of dusty pink velvet ribbon in wooden reels are partially pulled from a cardboard box labeled "Vividchart Velvet Ribbon," perfect for those seeking the finest material on how to tie a bow with elegance.

Gold Velvet Ribbon

Five rolls of sheer ribbon in maroon, red, green, teal, and gold are elegantly arranged in a row, perfect for adding a touch of flair to gift wrapping.

5 Rolls Holiday Color Organza Ribbon

Creative Ways to Use Your Clay Ornaments

Cozy living room with white armchairs, a decorated Christmas tree, pink flowers, and a table with pink and white cookies.

These clay ornaments are as versatile as they are beautiful. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

Tree Decorations: Hang them on your Christmas tree to add a personal, handmade touch.
Gift Toppers: Tie them onto wrapped presents for a special finishing touch.
Holiday Jewelry: Turn smaller designs into earrings or pendants for festive accessories.
Year-Round Decor: Use floral or abstract napkin designs to create ornaments you can display long after the holidays.
Unique Gifts: These ornaments make thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts for friends and family.

Tips for Success

Handmade clay ornaments featuring pink floral and swirling patterns are scattered on a light wooden surface.

Choose High-Quality Napkins: The better the print quality, the more vibrant your design will look.
Work on a Clean Surface: Dust and debris can easily stick to polymer clay, so tidy your workspace.
Handle Resin Safely: Always wear gloves, a mask, and work in a well-ventilated area when using UV resin.
Experiment with Colors: For a different effect, try using colored clay or layering napkin designs on top of pre-colored bases.
Store Properly: When not in use, store your ornaments in a dry, cool place to keep them looking their best.

Why Handmade Ornaments Bring Joy

A pink napkin with a decorative pink ribbon and ornament is placed on a red and white floral plate.

There’s something magical about creating your holiday decor. Handmade ornaments are more than just decorations—they reflect the thought and care you put into your holiday celebrations. Crafting these clay pieces lets you personalize your tree, gifts, and home with meaningful designs.

This project is also a wonderful way to spend time with loved ones. Whether crafting with friends, kids, or alone, the process is as enjoyable as the finished product.

Celebrate the Season with Handmade Creations

Making clay ornaments with napkin transfers is an easy, creative way to add personality and charm to your holiday decor. With just a few materials and time, you can create stunning pieces perfect for gifting, decorating, or wearing.

So why not give it a try? Let your imagination run wild, and enjoy the joy of creating something special for the holidays. Happy crafting, and may your season be filled with creativity and cheer!

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