Gift Tags, Bags and Bows
Clay Casting Projects
Use a painted clay casting from a Rycraft cookie stamp design
to decorate gift tags, bags and bows for the holidays!
Christmas Tree Gift Bag, Noel Stocking
Gift Bag, Santa Claus Gift Tag
Materials Needed
1 Rycraft cookie stamp or craft stamp of a Christmas design (we used #030 – Christmas Tree, #031 – Noel Stocking, and #001 – Santa Claus)
Clay – we recommend Creative Paperclay® which is non-toxic and air dries to a paintable white
1 clay casting* from your cookie stamp (see Basic Clay Casting Instructions)
1 2-inch round cookie cutter
Sandpaper or emery board (fine grit)
Acrylic primer (optional)
1 gift bag (large or small) or kraft paper cut into a gift tag (as shown)
Different colors of paper to use as backing behind the casting, cut into different sizes of squares or rectangles (as shown)
Acrylic clear varnish (optional)
Acrylic paints in Christmas colors
Hot glue or tacky glue
*Note: Alternately, the casting for this project may be made from paper instead of clay (see Basic Paper Casting Instructions).
Instructions
1. While clay is still wet, cut out casting with cookie cutter. Let dry.
2. Smooth the edges with a very light sandpaper if needed.
3. Optional: Apply a coat of primer and let dry.
4. Apply paint to details of the design, one color at a time, and let dry between coats so the colors won’t run into each other. let dry.
5. Optional: Apply a light coat of spray varnish to seal in paint. Let dry. Apply a 2nd coat of varnish if desired for more sturdiness. Let dry. Note: Varnishing will give the casting a more glossy finish. You can also varnish the back of the casting for more protection.
6. Cut the papers into squares so that they fit together (see examples shown). For the Christmas Tree bag, the red paper is 4 1/4″ square, the green/gold paper is 3 3/4″ square, the gold paper is 3 1/2″ square, and the green paper in front is 3 1/4″ square.
7. When you are satisfied with the way the pieces fit together, glue the papers to each other and let dry.
8. Glue casting to center of font paper or to the center of the gift tag and let dry.
9. For a bag, blue the papers with the casting in the center onto the gift bag and let dry.
