DIY Paper Mache Star Ornaments

Learn how to make beautiful paper mache star ornaments in this step-by-step tutorial. Add a creative and personal touch to your holiday decor!

This is the season to create beautiful decorations for your home! We like to keep it simple around here so I have a super easy project DIY Christmas craft for you!

With this easy tutorial you can create custom looking paper mache ornaments for your holiday decor as well as for a special touch to your Christmas gifts!

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supplies:

• paper mache stars
• MMS Milk Paint | Mustard Seed Yellow
• MMS Hemp Oil
• small artist paint brush
• jute twine
• hot glue gun and glue sticks

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Optional paint supplies:

• Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint | Colonel Mustard
• Moonshine Metallics in Gold Digger
• Dixie Belle Gilding Wax | Gold

easy paper mache ideas | star ornaments

The idea is certainly not original. In fact, while scrolling through Instagram one day, I saw that Miss Mustard Seed herself had painted paper mache boxes. They were adorable! She added some beautiful ribbons and used them as Christmas decor.

I’ve also seen other paper mache ornaments including a round bauble and snowflakes!

This was one project I had to do but I wanted to paint something other than boxes. So the Amazon search began!

This was one project I had to do but I wanted to paint something other than boxes. So the Amazon search began!

By the way, if you don’t want to go the old-fashioned route and make your paper mache ornaments using strips of paper and paper mache glue, don’t worry!

There are so many options online for many ornaments shapes so you can still enjoy a wonderful handmade holiday without the mess!

what kind of paint do you use on paper mache?

I have used three types of paint on paper mache projects: craft acrylic paint, milk paint, and chalk mineral paint.

For these paper mache Christmas ornaments, I used Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint in Mustard Seed Yellow. It’s a lovely soft yellow.

how to mix milk paint

Milk paint is usually mixed with a one-to-one ratio: one part water and one part dry paint. Here is a video showing you how I mix milk paint:

One tablespoon of dry milk paint with one tablespoon of water was the perfect amount. In fact, it was a little too much so I am currently looking for something small to paint 😉

how many coats of paint for paper mache?

The paper mache stars soaked up the first coat. The color was still pretty intense but I knew a second coat would deepen the color even more. The stars could be primed before adding the paint if you prefer.

If you are using Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint, you will only need one coat.

what size paint brush for paper mache?

Using a small artist’s brush, I painted the first side of each star. The small brush made it easy to control the paint on such a little star. Each star measures about 3″ so a larger brush would be overkill.

I used a folded piece of card stock to hang the stars on while they dried. The milk paint dries quickly so by the time I finished the first side on the last star, I could start at the beginning and paint the second side.

This is a good time to listen to an audiobook or podcast 😉

Aren’t these turning into the cutest ornaments? And so easy! If you need another easy handmade Christmas tree ornament, try my Orange Slice Ornaments. They are easy and will have your house smelling so good!

The second coat of paint really brought out the fullness of the Mustard Seed Yellow. This is such a pretty vintage shade of yellow!

how to tie a knot for crafts

The gold string used as the paper mache star ornament hanger was just not my cup of tea. The shiny gold is just not my style. I’m more of a jute twine kinda girl for my holiday decor!😉

It only took a couple of tugs to remove the bling.

I cut sections of jute twine the same length as the gold string that came with the stars, only just a bit longer to allow for the knot.

Tieing a knot is simple but I thought I would show you how I get the knot close to the ends of the twine.

Start by bringing the two ends together then make a loop and pull the ends through it.

Begin to pull the knot tighter while holding onto the cut ends. The ends are being held by my left hand so you can’t see them.

Pull the knot and skooch the knot towards the ends slowly moving the knot downward.

Once the knot is close enough to the ends, pull it tighter.

I used hot glue to secure the knotted twine to the star. Doesn’t the twine look better than the gold string???

YouTube video

Just in case you want to watch this whole knot tying process, I have a short video for you! Sorry for some of the blurry shots in the video!

seal the milk paint

The last step is to apply Miss Mustard Seed Hemp Oil to both sides of each star. The Hemp Oil seals and enhances the milk paint.

I mean, look at the difference the hemp oil makes! The color takes on a deeper tone and the hemp oil really brings out the color!

paper mache ideas for tree ornaments

All that’s left to do is hang them on the tree! But my tree isn’t even up yet so I’ll save that for another day!

These painted paper mache stars could also be used for gift wrapping. Just skip the bow and use the star with some ribbon! Sign your name with a fine point marker for a personal touch to the gift perfect for the holiday season!

Dixie Belle Gilding Wax

I decided to add a bit of Dixie Belle Gilding Wax to some of the stars and I love how they look! The wax is easy to apply and adds just the right amount of shine and age to the stars. They take on a vintage metal look, don’t you think?

creative paper mache crafts

Wasn’t this a quick and easy project? It would be a fun time to gather friends around the table, each with their own supplies, and have a little star painting party! Along with some warm cider and fresh-baked cookies and you would have a great time!! 

Children would love to unleash their creativity with this project too. Cover the surface of the table and let them have a blast! Be sure they sign and date the painted paper mache ornaments as a memento of the holiday season!

Omgoodness, that sounds like fun!

Let me know if you do that! I would love to hear about it!

join our journey

Thanks for stopping by for this fun and creative paper mache craft tutorial! If you make these star ornaments, tag me over on Instagram – I would love to see you paint paper mache star ornaments! You can find me at @reinventeddelaware

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Until next time…