arts and crafts

Jingle all the Clay: Crafting Your Own Winter Wonderland

Brown, red, pink, and green clay ginger bread winter houses with fake snow and decorations
Craft blog by: @emilee.mitchel on Instagram
Ho, ho, ho...hold on to your crafty hats, festive friends! Are you dreaming of a snow-kissed wonderland? Of frosted rooftops twinkling beneath a wintry moon? Well, gather round the fireplace, because we're about to turn those dreams into a DIY reality! With a sprinkle of creativity, a dash of holiday spirit, and just THREE of OOLY’s crafting essentials, we're creating our very own Winter Wonderland Village that has all of the fun and none of the frostbite!
Time Duration: 45 minutes + time for the air dry clay to dry (hot cocoa break anyone?)
Skill Level: Intermediate
OOLY Products Needed:

Other Items Needed:

  • Hot glue (adult supervision required)
  • Scissors or x-acto knife (adult supervision required)

Directions:

OOLY creatibles air dry clay tubs, with clay that is molded into triangles and squared with sculpting tools. OOLY Craft blog step 1.
Step 1: Roll out the Creatibles Air Dry Clay Kit into 1/4 inch thick mini slabs. Using an x-acto knife, carve out the pieces for your mini homes. You’ll need a front and back wall of the house - each with a triangle peak, 2 rectangular side walls, and 2 snowy white rectangular roof slabs. I also cut some snowy roof accents for the front and back of the house. Let all these pieces dry while you drink some cocoa, wrap some presents, or watch your favorite Holiday movie.
Two hands holding a house shaped clay figure using ooly creatibles clay, with clay tubs on the table. OOLY Craft blog step 2.
Step 2: Once dry, use a hot glue gun to glue the pieces together to build the house. First, attach the walls to the front piece, then attach the back piece to the other side of the walls. Last, attach the roof. It’s okay, if it looks a little messy we can clean that up in the next step.
Creatibles air dry clay tubs on the table, a hand rolling white clay into a long snake to attach to a house made of clay. OOLY Craft blog step 3.
Step 3: Roll out thin tendrils of white clay into frosty little snakes. Drape these over the house where all of the pieces meet.
A hand holding up a small house made out of clay, with OOLY Creatibles clay tubs on the table. OOLY craft blog step 4.
Step 4: Voilà! This frosty addition isn't just practical; it also gives that snowy or frosted touch, making your village all the more whimsical.
Two hands using an Xacto knife to cut details into a clay gingerbread house, OOLY creatibles clay tubs on the table.
Step 5: Using scissors or an x-acto knife, cut out your doors and windows.
A hand painting details onto the gingerbread clay house using OOLY vivid pop markers and rainbow sparkle markers. OOLY Craft blog step 6.
Step 6: Now it’s time to get creative and decorate your wintry homes. I chose to add delightful clay gumdrops and candy colored embellishments. I also used Rainbow Sparkle Glitter Markers and Vivid Pop! Water Based Paint Markers to draw on some enchanting details!
Two gngerbread houses made out of OOLY Creatibles Clay on a table with two trees and an ice skating rink. OOLY Craft blog.
Three gingerbread houses made out of OOLY Creatibles Clay on a table wtih snowmen critters and snowflakes in the background. OOLY Craft blog.
Whether you envision your Winter Wonderland Village as a bustling Christmas market, an enchanting elf playground, or a snug winter hamlet, remember that your village is whatever you make it! And the best part is, it can grow and evolve with each passing year as your kiddos grow older and as each family member finds new and different inspiration. So whether it's lighting up your mantel, making a kiddo's room sparkle, or stealing the show on your dinner table, remember this: you've crafted more than just décor. You've crafted memories and heaps of holiday joy.
We would love to see photos of your craft projects! Tag us on Instagram at @WeAreOOLY using #OOLYcreateyourhappy.

Reading next

A collection of three festive DIY holiday gift bags featuring a colorful holiday lights design, a whimsical reindeer, and a cheerful snowman, all set against a cheerful backdrop. OOLY Craft blog.

3 Easy DIY Holiday Gift Bags using OOLY Markers and Paints

Colorful birthday card on top of arts and crafts supplies

Fun Art Idea for Kids: Watercolor Birthday Card

We believe safety is non-negotiable, and all of our product offerings meet and/or exceed regulatory requirements and safety standards.

We are committed to craftsmanship and raise the standard when it comes to quality and design.

We are always pushing the boundaries of what's possible, crafting unique and trend-forward products that are designed to be both fun and functional.

For almost two decades, we have been dreaming up all kinds of fun and functional products that help people of all ages smile, explore their imagination and express themselves.

Our products are designed in California, a place known for its creativity, innovation, and free-spiritedness.