How to Make Plaster Ornaments
Plaster ornaments two ways! So...I made these plaster ornaments back in 2021, and took pictures and everything, but never posted a tutorial because it was so close to Christmas when I made them. It just felt too late.
But then when I got them out again a year later, to hang them on the tree, I felt like they needed something else. So I spent the day painting them with a few colors I already had in the closet. Not sure which version I like better. But either way, here's how I made plaster ornaments (two ways)...
Equipment
- paper mache ornaments
- plaster or joint compound
- small putty knife (optional)
- paint and paint brush (optional)
Instructions
Add compound to ornaments.
- I started by adding the joint compound to the craft ornaments one at a time. At first I used a small putty knife, but I quickly switched too just using my hands. It was just much easier to get the plaster / joint compound onto the ornaments and faster too. The only downside to using your hands is it’s incredibly messy. So that’s some thing to think about before you get started.
- Gloves would be a great option if you knew you wanted to use your hands from the start. In which case, you could skip the putty knife from the supplies list.
Wait for it to dry and add paint if desired.
- Wait for the plaster to dry (I waited overnight). If you like how they look with just the white plaster / joint compound, you are ready to hang them as soon as they're dry. But if you feel like they need a little something extra, grab the paint!
- I did a few different brushstroke patterns to change it up, but I stuck with a limited color palette so that everything would still feel cohesive. The painting process would be a fun activity to get kids involved with too.
- You can seal these at the end if you want an extra layer of proaction. I didn't seal mine because I like the completely matte look and didn't think they needed it.