How to Make a Clay Macaron Ornament
Have fun making these adorable clay macaron ornaments! It's such a great craft for beginners to polymer clay and easy enough for both kids and adults to create. They’re perfect for adding a little sweetness to your holiday decor!
Yield: 1 clay macaron ornament
Cost: $3
Equipment
- Thin tape (3/8 inch wide; or large cookie cutter, etc)
- Clay roller (or rolling pin)
- Round cookie cutter (1-1/2 inch)
Materials
- Pastel polymer clay (one colour, plus cream)
- Metal eye pins (1 inch)
- Jump rings
- Metallic baker's twine
Instructions
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Cut out the cookie half
- Condition a 2 ounce package of light pink clay, working it with your hands until it's soft and malleable.Split the clay into 2 equal pieces.
- Roll 1 of the pieces into a smooth, even ball.
- Place an item that's about 3/8 inch thick (we used a roll of tape) around the ball of clay. This will ensure the clay rolls out to an even thickness.Then roll the clay with a clay roller or rolling pin.
- Place a piece of plastic wrap on top of the clay.
- Push a round cookie cutter into - but not all the way through - the covered clay.
- Keeping the cutter in place, lift the edge of the plastic wrap in towards the center. Use your fingers to rip the excess clay away from the outside of the cutter.
Step 3: Add texture to the cookie
- Use a toothbrush to add a light texture to the lower sides of the macaron. This helps create the "foot" of the cookie.
- Create more texture in the same area by poking the end of a toothpick in lightly and repeatedly.
Step 4: Make another cookie half
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 with the other ball of light pink clay, creating the second half of the cookie.
Step 5: Make the cream filling
- Condition a smaller ball of cream coloured clay (about 3/4 inch in diameter).
- Flatten the ball with your hand until it's just over 1/8 inch thick.Compare the size to the cookie pieces you made and make sure it's the right size for the macaron.
Step 6: Put the cookie together
- Place the filling on the flat part of a cookie. Press the 2 pieces of clay together so they stick to each other.
- Place the other cookie half on top of the filling. Again, press the clay together so it sticks.Be careful not to press too hard or the cookie might become dented.
Step 7: Add the eye pin
- Use needle nose pliers to bend the bottom of a 1 inch metal eye pin. The bottom 1/4 inch should be at a 90 degree angle.
- Insert the eye pin into the filling of the macaron, starting with the bent part. Push it in firmly but gently.
- Use pliers to continue pushing the eye pin in, until the loop is about 1/4 inch above the clay.
Step 8: Bake the clay macaron and add an ornament hanger
- Place the macaron ornament on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake according to package instructions.Our clay recommends 275F and 15 minutes per 1/4 inch thickness.
- Optional: Attach a jump ring to the eye pin using pliers.The jump ring allows you to connect a wider string or ribbon to the ornament.
- Cut a 5 inch piece of metallic baker's twine or ribbon. Thread it through the jump ring and tie the ends together in a knot, creating an ornament hanger.
- Your clay macaron ornament is complete!
- Make them in all their usual colors or add some different ones of your own!
Video
Notes
Looking for more clay crafts? Here's a few of our favourites:
Polymer Clay Earrings
Clay Leaf Bowl
Polymer Clay Beads