First impressions

Clay decorations with a touch of gold will make for a stylish tree You will need

White modelling clay

Small rolling pin

Greaseproof paper

Crystal glasses with cut bases and sides to make patterns Plain circular biscuit cutters Thin straw

Sharp knife

Fine paint brush

Liquid leaf original gold paint Gold thread or coloured ribbon

To Make

Take a ping-pong-sized ball of clay and roll out to approximately 3mm thick on a sheet of greaseproof paper. For the circular decorations, imprint a relief pattern by impressing the base of a crystal glass or vase into the clay. Cut around this with a circular biscuit cutter in the same size or slightly smaller than the impressed design. Using a straw, make a hole at the top of the circle.

For the rectangles, roll the clay out as before, and then roll a glass over the clay to imprint a design. Cut a rectangle from the printed area with a sharp knife and make a hole in the top centre of the decoration with a straw as before.

Allow the clay to dry according to supplied instructions. When completely dry, paint sections of the decorations with gold paint. Attach a length of thread or ribbon to each decoration through the hole, ready to hang in position.