Sister's Choice Quilts

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Eva DIY Christmas Gifts

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I can't even tell you the hours Eva and I spent making these little charms.  Two days at least.   I am not sure how we got the idea that we wanted to make little polymer clay charms, but YouTube videos by a sweet Australian girl named Creative Rachy factored into it big time.   

Eva  needed some gift ideas for her parents, uncle, step dad, step mom and step sister.  We started looking on Pinterest, which is a fantastic source of inspiration for just about any DIY project.  We discovered these little charms and were completely hooked.  I ordered the polymer clay, a brand called "Sculpey" and it arrived in two days courtesy of Amazon.  (You can buy a similar product at Joann or Michaels).  We watched endless Creative Rachy videos and chose a few designs we thought were suitable for the folks we needed presents for.

Basically, you form the little figures by hand out of a very stiff clay material, then bake it in your oven at a low temperature for a pretty long time (275 for at least an hour and a half).  You apply a glaze after baking to make a shiny surface, and Bob's your uncle.  We made a Christmas tree, a penguin, two kitty cat presents, two Westies, and Rudolph.

This was a great project for a six year old.  I manipulated the clay into balls or squares or whatever large base shape was required.  The clay is super stiff and hard, and would be difficult for a child to manipulate.  Eva was totally able to handle the tiny bits, as they were smaller and warmed up faster in her little hands for shaping.  She was able to do all the embellishing.  We inserted tiny eye hooks so that the charms could be hung on a little Christmas tree or strung on a ribbon or chain and worn as a necklace.

It was a super fun project, and she is as pleased as Punch to be able to gift such darling little charms to her favorite people.

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I made a few of these little pouches and we had a perfect DIY Christmas gift that a kid mostly made and was super proud of.

 

45 responses to “Eva DIY Christmas Gifts”

  1. They are adorable! Everyone will be thrilled to get such a personal gift. Eva certainly inherited your creativity gene – she did an excellent job with the embellishing.

  2. They are adorable! Everyone will be thrilled to get such a personal gift. Eva certainly inherited your creativity gene – she did an excellent job with the embellishing.

  3. They are adorable! Everyone will be thrilled to get such a personal gift. Eva certainly inherited your creativity gene – she did an excellent job with the embellishing.

  10. now I would love those……..great job ya’ll……..thanks too for sharing. love the pouches for them as well……
    gloria g. Wellborn, FL

  11. now I would love those……..great job ya’ll……..thanks too for sharing. love the pouches for them as well……
    gloria g. Wellborn, FL

  12. now I would love those……..great job ya’ll……..thanks too for sharing. love the pouches for them as well……
    gloria g. Wellborn, FL

  13. That sounds so terrific and fun. They are adorable. Think I will order some for Valentine’s Day! Thx for sharing.
    Mary

  14. That sounds so terrific and fun. They are adorable. Think I will order some for Valentine’s Day! Thx for sharing.
    Mary

  15. That sounds so terrific and fun. They are adorable. Think I will order some for Valentine’s Day! Thx for sharing.
    Mary

  16. If only more adults thought about what a meaningful and confidence building activity this could be for a young child. I would say the true meaning of Christmas is what you are teaching and passing on. What a gift!

  17. If only more adults thought about what a meaningful and confidence building activity this could be for a young child. I would say the true meaning of Christmas is what you are teaching and passing on. What a gift!

  18. If only more adults thought about what a meaningful and confidence building activity this could be for a young child. I would say the true meaning of Christmas is what you are teaching and passing on. What a gift!

  19. Dare I say CHARMING?! What a erfect project for such special gifts and I can imagine Eva’s satisfaction and pride in her accomplishments, with your sweet help. Love the little pouches you made, too.
    You’re nurturing Eva’s wonderful creativity and making good memories with her, too.
    Hugs!

  20. Dare I say CHARMING?! What a erfect project for such special gifts and I can imagine Eva’s satisfaction and pride in her accomplishments, with your sweet help. Love the little pouches you made, too.
    You’re nurturing Eva’s wonderful creativity and making good memories with her, too.
    Hugs!

  21. Dare I say CHARMING?! What a erfect project for such special gifts and I can imagine Eva’s satisfaction and pride in her accomplishments, with your sweet help. Love the little pouches you made, too.
    You’re nurturing Eva’s wonderful creativity and making good memories with her, too.
    Hugs!

  25. Kudos to you for helping Eva create such clever gifts for loved ones! You’re doing so much to make memories with her that will last a lifetime. In my opinion, this is truly the spirit of Christmas!

  26. Kudos to you for helping Eva create such clever gifts for loved ones! You’re doing so much to make memories with her that will last a lifetime. In my opinion, this is truly the spirit of Christmas!

  27. Kudos to you for helping Eva create such clever gifts for loved ones! You’re doing so much to make memories with her that will last a lifetime. In my opinion, this is truly the spirit of Christmas!

  28. “And super proud of” is the key! You are such a patient and wonderful grandma, lucky Eva! How fun it will be to watch her when each one is opened. It’s almost as much fun to watch the expressions & excitement of the little gift giver as the recipient.

  29. “And super proud of” is the key! You are such a patient and wonderful grandma, lucky Eva! How fun it will be to watch her when each one is opened. It’s almost as much fun to watch the expressions & excitement of the little gift giver as the recipient.

  30. “And super proud of” is the key! You are such a patient and wonderful grandma, lucky Eva! How fun it will be to watch her when each one is opened. It’s almost as much fun to watch the expressions & excitement of the little gift giver as the recipient.

  31. What charming gifts! I think that 6yo might have far superior crafting skills to this reader. What a great way to make lemonade out of lemons. Grandma for the win!

  32. What charming gifts! I think that 6yo might have far superior crafting skills to this reader. What a great way to make lemonade out of lemons. Grandma for the win!

  33. What charming gifts! I think that 6yo might have far superior crafting skills to this reader. What a great way to make lemonade out of lemons. Grandma for the win!

  40. I love handmade gifts & these are just wonderful, Nicole! The cute little pouches are perfect wraps ~ the finishing touch!! Merry Christmas to you & your family!

  41. I love handmade gifts & these are just wonderful, Nicole! The cute little pouches are perfect wraps ~ the finishing touch!! Merry Christmas to you & your family!

  42. I love handmade gifts & these are just wonderful, Nicole! The cute little pouches are perfect wraps ~ the finishing touch!! Merry Christmas to you & your family!

  43. They are so adorable! Love that little reindeer! I’m sure the recipients will love them too! Merry Christmas!

  44. They are so adorable! Love that little reindeer! I’m sure the recipients will love them too! Merry Christmas!

  45. They are so adorable! Love that little reindeer! I’m sure the recipients will love them too! Merry Christmas!