It has been almost a year since I restarted this blog, so it’s high time for another Christmas ornament post. I wanted to showcase some of my most precious dough ornaments, which I understand to have been shaped from a salt dough, baked and sealed with a clear acrylic. This seems more accessible to a hobbyist than ceramic requiring a kiln.
These three we bought at a craft fair in Watseka and are signed “D. Harries” on the back. The artist’s dust name may have been Debbie if I recall correctly. My mom’s favorite was the baby pig, but I love the detail on Santa’s beard!
This gave us the idea to make dough ornaments at home, sometime around 1982. The below photo of Mom, Aimee and I may document the making of the dough ornaments, or it may be another baking occasion. This was at the Byman farmhouse we rented around 1981-1984. Click through to view the comments from Aimee.
This is the Santa that I painted from a cookie cutter shape. Aimee made a little Santa too which I hope she proudly displays each year like I do!
Etsy has some wonderful vintage salt dough ornaments and there are many recipes to be found. I never made dough ornaments with Simon, but I’ll put it on the list of things to do with my grandkids someday.
Update: Aimee does have her Santa and sent me a photo, with the comment “Mine is currently serving 10-15 for armed robbery.”
Ha! What a treasure, mostly for the memories they bring to mind each Christmas. The ornaments are precious and that must be some tough veneer you added to keep them from crumbling over the years. And signed by the artist in some cases! I love how each has its own character. Love your blog post.