Create a Festive Robin Hanging Decoration with Cosmic Shimmer Moulds

Add a handmade touch to your Christmas decorating with this dimensional robin hanging decoration, created using Cosmic Shimmer silicone moulds and lightweight air dry clay. An ornate frame, snowy winter background and layered moulded details come together to create a traditional festive decorative keepsake.

The project combines the Regency Crest Frame, Winter Robin, Fir Trees Silhouettes and Holly Corners moulds, with rich colour, snowy highlights and an antique silver finish. The same techniques can also be adapted with other frame moulds and decorative elements to create your own collection of Christmas ornaments.

Step 1 – Mould the Decorative Elements
Lightly coat the moulds with vegetable shortening or dust with cornflour. Press paper clay firmly into the Fir Trees Silhouettes and Holly Corners moulds, working it well into the detail and keeping the reverse reasonably flat. Take extra care around the thinner holly stems and berries. If any area looks too delicate, return the clay to the mould and add a little extra for strength. Prepare around three holly pieces.

For the Winter Robin, begin with the finer branches and foliage before filling the main bird. Pay particular attention to the narrow connection between the robin and its branch, as a little additional clay here will make the finished piece stronger. Leave all the moulded pieces to dry thoroughly.

Step 2 – Create the Frame
Make two castings from the Regency Crest Frame Silicone Mould. Press plenty of clay into the ornate border, then flatten the centre and reverse as evenly as possible. Because the two pieces will be joined back-to-back, keeping these surfaces flat will make assembly much easier.

Allow both frames to dry thoroughly, ideally overnight. Paper clay shrinks slightly, so drying both under the same conditions helps them stay closely matched.

Step 3 – Add the Hanging Loop and Join the Frame
Bend a short length of 18 gauge jewelry wire around a pencil to create a loop, leaving two short ends beneath it. If necessary, lightly sand the backs of the dried frame pieces to level them. Apply a generous layer of craft glue to one frame making sure the entire surface is covered. Place the wire loop ends at the top and sandwich between the two castings. Press the edges together firmly.

If there are small gaps, mix paper clay with a little water to make a thick paste. Work this into the joins with an old brush or palette knife, smooth the edges and leave to dry before painting.

Step 4 – Paint the Frame and Moulded Elements
Paint the ornate outer frame on both sides with dark graphite or black acrylic paint, keeping the central area reasonably clean for the winter scene. For the robin, begin with tangerine water-based ink on the breast before adding red, then soften the colour towards the pale belly with a damp brush. Use browns and black for the wings, back and tail, keeping darker tones in the recessed areas. Add the eye once the surrounding colour is dry.

Paint the foliage with olive green, shading with darker green and brown. Colour the berries deep red mix, then add brighter red and tiny white highlights once dry.

For the fir tree, mix olive green with black to create a very dark base. When dry, lightly drag white paint across the raised branches to create the effect of snow. Finish the robin with a light white dry-brush over the feathers to bring out the moulded texture.

Step 5 – Create the Winter Scene
Paint the centre of the frame with Mediterranean Blue, adding a little black if necessary for a deep midnight-sky effect. Use a flat brush and work carefully up to the inner edge of the frame, keeping the border neat.

Once dry, use diluted white gouache or opaque paint to create softly curved snowy hills. Add stronger white towards the foreground for extra depth and texture. Finish with small dots of white paint for falling snow, varying both their size and spacing so the scene looks natural.

Step 6 – Add the Antique Silver Finish
Use silver metallic gilding polish to highlight the raised detail of the frame. Take a small amount onto your fingertip, then lightly skim across the sculpted areas. Keep the darker paint visible in the recesses to create an antique silver effect. Take particular care around the central blue scene, as the metallic polish is difficult to remove once transferred.

Step 7 – Assemble the Decoration
Arrange the robin in the centre of the frame, with the holly curving naturally around it. Craft glue will secure most pieces, but 3D gel or silicone glue is useful behind the robin where a little extra height and support is needed.

On the reverse, create a second scene with the snowy fir tree and additional holly. Thread ribbon through the wire loop at the top to finish the decoration. For extra protection, apply a clear matt spray varnish before adding the ribbon.

Make It Your Own
The same technique can be used with other frame moulds and different focal elements to create an entire collection of Christmas decorations. One side could even feature a festive sentiment, name or photograph instead of another moulded scene, making these ideal for first Christmases, anniversaries or personalised family keepsakes.