How to Make a Stick Tree & Clay Ornaments (Easy & Cheap DIY for Easter Decor)

Sharing all the tips & tricks for how to make an EASY Stick Tree & DIY Clay Ornaments for your Easter Decor with step by step instructions & pictures for just a few dollars!

Easy DIY Stick Tree & Clay Ornaments for Easter

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Raise your hand if you like collecting and decorating with sticks?

Umm… hopefully I am not the only one, ha!

I find sticks and tree branches to be unique and beautiful. 

Their wood is neutral and you can dress them up or transform them to go with any décor.

For this DIY project, I am sharing a stick tree and clay ornaments with an Easter twist.  

However, you can change up the clay ornaments to match any season or holiday year round!

I made this stick tree at home with my kiddos to put out over the season of lent and help remind us of what Jesus did on Easter.

Supplies Needed to Make a DIY Stick Tree & Clay Ornaments

• block of wood (at least 3″ long)
• sturdy stick with lots of branches
• moss (Quality Growers Preserved Reindeer Moss, 108.5 Cubic Inch, Spring Green)
• air dry clay (my favorite is, DAS Air Hardening Modeling Clay, 2.2 Pound Block, White (387500))
• wax paper
• cookie cutters of any shape you chose (I used egg shaped for Easter)
• sanding block or sand paper
• spray paint (if you choose to add color to the ornaments or give them a finished Look
• String (I used thin evergreen string)

Step by Step Instructions for How to Make A Stick Tree

Step ONE – Find the Perfect, Sturdy Stick

I try to find one that has strong branches going in every direction.

I used a stick from the tall oak tree in our yard to use for my stick tree.

Step TWO – Cut a HEAVY block of Wood

Cut a heavy block of wood (any scrap wood would do for your stick tree). 

I used some leftover cherry wood we had in our garage but pallet wood or even a 2 by 4 would work.

Step THREE – Drill a Hole in Your Block of Wood

I drilled a hole in the center of the block about 3/4 inches down for the branch to fit & create a stick tree.

Step FOUR – Sand Down Your Block of Wood

Lastly, I sanded the wood block down with our handy dandy orbital sander.

Step FIVE – Add Clay to the Base of Your Stick Tree

I rolled up a small clay ball and stuck it inside of the hole and placed the stick tree on top of it. 

I placed more clay around the base of the stick tree to help strengthen the tree in kind of a volcano like shape.

It takes a good 24 hours for the clay on the stick tree to dry.

Step SIX – Add Moss to the Base of Your Stick Tree

I covered the base of the stick tree with some moss to hide the clay and give the tree some color, texture and a little more interest. 

You can also use a glue gun to help secure the moss to the wood block.

STEP by Step Instructions for How to Make Clay Ornaments that are Egg Shaped

Step ONE – Roll out Your Clay

Roll out the clay on a cutting board or a piece of wax paper to about 1/8 to a 1/4 of an inch think.

Step TWO – Cut Out Your Clay Ornaments

Cut out your clay shapes using cookie cutters. 

You can use a spatula to separate your clay shapes from the board. 

*TIP – if you rolled out your ornaments on wax paper than this step isn’t necessary… the clay ornaments come off a lot easier from wax paper!

Step THREE – Make a Hole in the Clay Ornament

Using a chop stick make a hole close to the top to make it easier to hang your ornament from later.

Step FOUR – Add Text to Your Clay Ornaments

Using alphabet stamps I stamped out the different verses and quotes I wanted to add. 

Don’t worry too much about the quotes looking perfect. 

I think the handmade imperfections add to the charm of the project.

The kids even stamped some too. 

They chose to write, “He is awesome” and God gives me Peace.”

Step FIVE – Let the Clay Dry

Let your ornaments air dry for 24-48 hours. 

Flip them over halfway through.

I had mine dry out on a paper plate. 

Step SIX – Sand the Edges if the Clay Ornaments

Once dry you can sand any rough edges.

Step SEVEN – OPTIONAL – Paint Your Clay Ornaments

If the clay you are using isn’t the color you want you can paint it. 

I chose to spray paint mine white because I love neutral decor. 

You can also use acrylic paints or even markers to get it to be the color you want.

Step EIGHT – Add Your String & Hang Your Ornaments

Cut string to about 6″ long and knot it around each ornament. 

Hang them up being carefully to distribute their weight equally so the stick tree won’t topple over!

For our church’s women’s retreat this year I was asked to come up with a DIY craft that everyone could make and take home.  Our DIY craft, was this Stick tree & clay ornaments.

One of our theme verses for the retreat was…

“I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.”

John 15:5

The sticks grounded in the wood were to represent our branches when we are joined in Christ and the clay ornaments stamped with joy, love and friendship is the fruit we bear when we abide in Him.

I loved this DIY stick tree craft so much that I decided to make another one for our Easter table.

I hope this inspires you & answers all your questions for to make a DIY stick tree & clay ornaments for your home

by Tara Lehman

Don’t forget to pin my DIY Stick Tree & Clay Ornaments for Easter!

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