Architectural ornaments

Sunset, Dec, 1997 by Daniel Gregory, Peter O. Whiteley

You can make ornaments of houses, like the New Mexico pueblo at right, with the self-drying modeling clay now available at craft stores. No baking or firing is needed. Once dry, the little facades can festoon packages or hang from the tree. Design: Francoise Kirkman.

TIME

About one hour to make three ornaments, depending on the design, plus drying time (overnight)

WHAT YOU NEED

* Paper outline of a house, about 2 1/2 by 3 inches (see step 1)

* Scissors

* White craft glue

* Lightweight cardboard

* A rolling pin

* White or brick-colored self-drying clay ($8 to $10 for a 5-lb. box, enough to make about 10 ornaments)

* Canvas

* A short paring knife

* A toothpick

* Acrylic paints in various colors

* Paintbrushes

* Assorted nylon-tip pens

* Raffia

DIRECTIONS

1. Photocopy the pueblo shown here, or draw or trace another house shape - ours was inspired by photos in A Field Guide to American Houses, by Virginia and Lee McAlester (Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1984; $21.95 paperback). Cut out the paper house, glue it to a piece of lightweight cardboard, and trim the cardboard to the shape.

2. Roll out the clay on canvas to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Using the cardboard shape as a template, cut the clay with the paring knife. Score the clay facade with the toothpick to make doors, windows, and wall textures (a). Using the toothpick, poke a hole for hanging near the top of the house.

3. After allowing the clay to dry (flip each ornament once as it dries to prevent warping), color the building with acrylic paints and nylon-tip pens (b). Thread raffia through the hole and tie to make a hanging loop.