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I posted some folk art Santas over on Instagram and Facebook during the Christmas season and I got hundreds of messages.  I made them almost 30 years ago and have pulled them out almost every Christmas since.  Originally used as ornaments for the Christmas tree, I had to come up with a different way to use them since I keep my trees bare.  I ended up stringing them all together on a piece of cotton yard and hung them in my office.  I loved to see them every day.  I also loved to see lots of your own version of them.

I must have inspired one of my friends over on Instagram to try something different.  Because she made a heart garland out of all the same products.  So, basically I got inspiration from her.   What better time to do this project since Valentines is coming up.  BUT, I think hearts can remain up year round.  When I see hearts, I think of love and love doesn’t have a season.  Here is how I made my rustic heart garland.

Rustic Heart Garland

Supplies:

Paper Mache (Either Fast Mache or CelluClay works)

Bobby Pins

Tin Foil

Instructions:

Bend the sides of the bobby pins outward so it will have a little more strength and won’t pull out of the top of the heart.

Wrap the foil around the pins into the shape you desire.  I wanted mine a little thicker.  I’m pretty sure if you want your hearts flat, you could maybe skip the foil.  They don’t have to be perfect heart shaped because you will used the paper mache to perfect that shape.

Mix paper mache according to directions.  This box makes a heck of a lot.  I think I made 16 larger hearts and I have over half of a bag left.  You just start smashing the paper mache onto the tin foil into the shape of a heart.  I used a little water on my fingers, once I got my desired shape, to smooth out the texture a bit.  And then you let them dry.

Adding Beads

You can use as ornaments or string the hearts on some twine or cotton yarn if you want to make a garland.  I decided to go all out.  ???? I ordered some wooden beads to string along with them because I wanted something a little different and with more texture to it.  I really like the way they turned out.  Although I like where I hung them here, I have another idea.  But you will for sure see it over on Facebook and Instagram the second I move it.

Keep me posted if you try this project.  It was really easy and fun to do.  And without dry time, didn’t take long at all.  This would be a fun little project for kids and grandkids.