Discover Crafting with Moulds | Woodland Stag Decoration

Bring a touch of the woodland indoors with this richly textured hanging decoration, created from air dry clay using the Cosmic Shimmer Medium Log Slice, Stag Head and Maple Leaves Silicone Moulds. Layered leaves, realistic bark detail and the striking stag centrepiece come together to create a piece that feels wonderfully tactile and full of seasonal character

You can keep the finish quick and simple with warm metallic tones, or take a little more time to build natural colour into the wood, foliage and stag. Both approaches create a completely different look, making this a lovely project to adapt for autumn, winter or even festive decorating.

Mould the Log Slice
Lightly coat the Cosmic Shimmer Medium Log Slice Silicone Mould with a very small amount of vegetable shortening, then press in a generous piece of air dry clay, working across the surface until all the detail is filled. Smooth the back, loosen the clay around the edge and carefully release the piece. While it is still soft, decide which way up it will hang and make a hole for the ribbon. Leave flat for several hours, turn over and allow to dry thoroughly – overnight is ideal for a thicker piece like this.

Create the Maple Leaves
Choose three different leaf sizes and press small pieces of clay firmly into the Maple Leaves Silicone Mould. Sheena uses nine leaves – three of each size. Leave them as moulded or gently shape the edges while the clay is still soft to create a little extra movement. Set aside to dry completely.

Mould the Stag
Take a little extra care around the detailed antlers when working with the Stag Head Silicone Mould. Apply a light coating of vegetable shortening and press the clay into the antlers first, making sure they are fully filled so they remain strong when removed. Fill the rest of the head and neck, tidy the edges and gently release the main body before carefully working around the antlers and ears. Lay the stag flat and allow the antlers to settle naturally as it dries.

Colour Option 1: Create an Aged Metallic Finish
This version will be quicker to colour. Use warm shades of Cosmic Shimmer Metallic Gilding Polishes to give the paper clay the appearance of aged bronze. Dry-brush shades of bronze, copper, red and green across the raised details, varying the balance from leaf to leaf. Finish with a light touch of gold along the veins and edges. Keeping some of the darker base visible underneath creates depth and helps the fine moulded detail stand out.

Dry-brush a warm metallic shade around the textured bark of the log slice. Use the same technique on the stag, brushing lightly against the direction of the fur so the metallic finish catches the raised areas while darker colour remains in the recesses. Add a brighter highlight where needed so the stag remains the focal point amongst the foliage.

Colour Option 2: Create a Natural Painted Finish
For a more realistic result, build colour gradually using Cosmic Shimmer Water-Based Inks, watercolours or another suitable colouring medium. You don't need the exact products used in the demonstration to achieve a similar effect.

Start with the maple leaves, using a warm yellow as the base before blending in reds, browns and small touches of green. Vary the colours from leaf to leaf and allow a little water to carry the colour into the moulded veins. Once dry, colour the backs and edges so no white clay remains visible.

For the log slice, apply a diluted warm brown and yellow wash over the centre, working it into the growth rings before lightly blotting the raised surface. Build darker tones towards the outside and finish the bark with a deep brown. If any areas become too strong, tint a little white gesso with your warm colours and lightly dry-brush it over the surface to soften the finish.

Use a photograph of a stag as a simple reference when painting the stag head. Begin with a warm mid-brown, gradually adding deeper brown around the head, neck and shadowed areas, followed by a little black for the darkest details. Once dry, add small touches of opaque white around the muzzle, beneath the eyes and across the chest. A tiny white highlight in the eye brings the face to life, while a light dry-brush over the antlers picks out their texture. Add extra white here if you would like a more frosty, wintry finish.

Assemble the Decoration
If it will be seen when displayed, paint or cover the back of the log slice before adding the decorative pieces. Position the stag fairly high on the background and arrange the leaves around it before gluing. Use a good quality acrylic glue. Taking a quick photograph first makes it easier to recreate a layout you like. Tuck some leaves behind the stag and layer others around the front, allowing a few to extend beyond the edge of the log slice. The paper clay can be gently shaped to give the arrangement a more natural look. Once everything is secure, add ribbon or cord through the hole at the top.

Add a Touch of Sparkle
For a more seasonal finish, add a little clear glitter medium to the tips and raised edges of the leaves. Concentrate it where frost or light might naturally catch rather than covering the whole surface. As it dries clear, the sparkle becomes much more subtle and effective.

Two Finishes from the Same Moulds
The same three moulds can create two completely different looks. Choose metallic tones for a quick antique-style finish, natural colour for a detailed woodland piece, or introduce whites and icy highlights to take the design into winter and Christmas.