Clay Feather Ornaments Ballard Knock Off

Make these Ballard-inspired clay feather ornaments for your Christmas tree. This copycat version is much cheaper than the real thing. Plus, you can customize these handmade clay ornaments in the sizes and colors that will match with your theme.

Feathers are amazing right? I know I have been lusting after them. So I spotted some bisque feathers in the Ballard Designs catalog. They were gorgeous. They were also $49 for a set of 3. So yes, I had to knock them off!

I love Ballard Designs, but I wanted to try my hand at making a less-expensive replica. Plus, this particular design is no longer available, so my knock-off version will be the perfect substitute!

I’ve created a few other Ballard Designs knock-off crafts: seagrass lamp shade, numbered tags, and a garden stool.

Now let’s compare them to the Ballard Designs originals. I think my version can definitely compete! Plus (are you ready for this), mine were free. Yes I had everything on hand that I needed to make my version. Now you are ready to make your own right? Let’s get started! 

How to Make Clay Feather Ornaments

Supplies to make these clay feather ornaments:

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• air dry clay (you could also use the type of clay you bake) — any you have on hand
• Toothpicks
• Straw
• Some clay tools or a butter knife
• white paint
• white ribbon

I used air dry clay because I had it on hand. Use whatever type of clay you have. Don’t feel like you need to buy anything special to make these. If you need to buy clay, you do not need much for this project. That hunk pictured above would have made a dozen or more of these feathers.

Start by flattening out a piece of clay then cut a feather like shape. Use wax or parchment paper under your project. I am using some plastic clay tools that came with a kit I purchased a few years back. You could use a butter knife instead.

Roughly draw in your feather “stem”. Again use what tools you have on hand. Trim away on one end to make a stem.

Then begin on one side of the stem, using the tool pictured above or something similar, and drag the clay to the edge. I would pull the clay and some would break away. I would just put those pieces in a pile to reuse later. A rough edge is okay. As a matter of fact it is perfect! The rough edge will make your feather look more realistic.

I kept starting in the center and pulling the clay out until I was happy with the shape and appearance of my feather. I then took one of my flat tools and cut the feather away from the parchment paper underneath.

I then used a toothpick to put in the fine details on the feather. The lighter you can go with your toothpick the better. If you use any kind of pressure you will start to remove clay. If that happens, again just remove the material and set aside.

Take a straw and make a hole in the top of your feather for hanging. I then draped my feathers on paint brushes to dry. This gives them more of a three dimensional look.

Let them cure according to the package directions. I then gave mine a coat of white paint on both sides. Please note that my feathers are only finished on one side.

String your white ribbon through the holes you made with the straw.

Please note that these feathers will be delicate and breakable. Note that I had four feathers drying in the picture above and only came out with three to photograph. It also seems that the skinnier you make the feather, the more delicate they become.

Step back and enjoy because your feathers are ready to hang on the tree! What a wonderful and slightly modern addition to any Christmas tree. Now break out that clay and get to work!

Total Time 1 day day 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Clay Feather Ornaments Ballard Knock Off

Make these clay feather ornaments for your tree! These are similar to some that were for sale at Ballard Designs but so much cheaper to make!

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Equipment

• air dry clay (you could also use the type of clay you bake) — any you have on hand

Supplies

• Toothpicks
• Straw
• Some clay tools or a butter knife
• white paint
• white ribbon

Instructions

• Start by flattening out a piece of clay then cut a feather like shape. Use wax or parchment paper under your project.
• Roughly draw in your feather “stem” with a butter knife or clay tools. Trim away on one end to make a stem.
• Begin pressing and dragging the clay to the edge with a butter knife. Repeat on both sides. A rough edge will make your feather look more realistic.
• Use a flat tools and cut the feather away from the parchment paper underneath.
• Then, use a toothpick to put in the fine details on the feather. The lighter you can go with your toothpick the better.
• Take a straw and make a hole in the top of your feather for hanging. I then draped my feathers on paint brushes to dry. This gives them more of a three dimensional look.
• Let them cure according to the package directions. Paint if desired.
• String your white ribbon through the holes you made with the straw.
• Hang the ornaments on the tree.

Notes

Please note that these feathers will be delicate and breakable. Note that I had four feathers drying in the picture above and only came out with three to photograph. It also seems that the skinnier you make the feather, the more delicate they become.

Tried this project?tag us to show off your work!