This project is part of my earlier foam clay collection. Some details may use older techniques, older measurements (including grams), or early versions of my size-based system.
I’m keeping it here for free because many people still enjoy it, but it isn’t part of the updated beginner path or the improved printable library.
Learn how to make your own personalized family ornament and turn it into a Valentines message holder. Replicate your family as a little marshmallow family with this tutorial. You can add as many adult and kids marshmallows as you can fit. Perfect gift for the holidays.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here
MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED:
Bag Balm or Vaseline
Fishing line or other string
STEP 1: Mix your colors
If you don’t have the pre colored clay on hand, or don’t want to open another bag you can use gel food colors and mix your own cookie color. Take a hand full of clay and add 1.5 drops of brown and 1 drop of yellow and mix well.
If you have brown on hand you might want to mix a bit white and yellow to get the perfect cookie shade. I did a ratio of 1:5:10 of yellow:white:brown.
STEP 2: Shape the cookie
If you have the mold this is super simple. An extra tip: add some vaseline or bag balm to your mold to avoid the clay sticking to the mold.
Press the clay into the mold making sure it fills just the mold and not hanging over the edge. Press down to get it into every crevice.
Bend the mold backwards and the clay will start to pop out. Handle the clay cookie gently to not misshape it.
At this time, plug in your hot glue gun to get it ready.
STEP 3: Shape the Marshmallow Family Members
Make as many adults and kids as you can fit on your ornament and as you need to represent the family. Start by rolling the white clay between your palm and into a log then swish it onto your work surface to flatten the ends. Do the same for the kids with much less clay. Get exact measurements when you sign up for my newsletter.
Add the eyes below the midline of the marshmallow.
Apply eyeshadow or use soft pastels to create the roasted effect. Use a soft bristle brush.
STEP 4: Adding Facial details
For rosy cheeks add some eyeshadow or soft pastel to the marshmallows. (We will add the chocolate in the next step)
For the kids eyes use black acrylic and add a white sparkle effect with a very small dotting tool or the tip of a paint brush.
Draw the eyebrows and mouth with a fine acrylic pen.
STEP 5: Add the Chocolate Sauce
Add the chocolate sauce to the graham cracker and marshmallow family members. Then attach them into the chocolate puddle. Add any sprinkles to the sauce before it sets. It takes about 1h to set and 24h to fully cure.
STEP 6: Make the Heart
You can shape the heart or use a silicone mold like this one. Add a little bit of glue on the bottom and add it right in between the two marshmallows.
STEP 7: Make the Message Holder
If you want to make this into a note holder as a valentines gift, then poke a hole into the heart using the end of a bush. It will shrink a bit as it dries, so if you have something to place in there to keep it from getting too small. I used a capsule with a note paper in it.
Let it dry for 24h then put it on its back so the underside can dry too. If you want to seal it, wait at least 1 week for it to fully dry. (Its not necessary to seal it). Write a heartfelt note and roll it up to fit inside the heart.
If you need some inspirations for messages to write, especially if you have a crafty friend that you will be gifting then check out these 30 free messages to download and print. They fit perfectly inside the hole.
Share your creation on social media and tag my page to say hello! I would love to see how it turned out.
Join my Foam Clay Community Here
Looking for more foam clay tutorials? Visit the Learning Hub to explore beginner to advanced projects and techniques.
Leave a Reply