Moon phase wall decoration DIY

In the Scandinavian countries there is a word: "Pyssel", which basically means small, enjoyable often creative activities....something to do..

This little project pretty much falls under this category:

I made this decorative wall hanging, inspired by the varying phases of the moon, for Mia's new look room (See my One Room Challenge posts, in the sidebar--->)

And it perfectly compliments the DIY feature wall I did, but more than that: This is  a quick , easy and enjoyable  "pyssel"....something to do: And it looks great!!

It adds a bit of fun and interest on Mia's wall...

Fancy having a go??

Here's how:

You will need:

Black polymer (Ovenbake) clay

wooden beads (I painted some of mine)

Embroidery thread/ cotton cord (You may need a needle)

Jewelery chain and jump rings

Wooden curtain ring

Rolling pin

Baking paper

Glass

Craft knife/tool

pencil

Fine grade sandpaper

wirecutters

Pointed pliers

Knead the dough until soft and pliable, then place it between two sheets of baking paper and roll out thin (5mm or less). Remove the top sheet of baking paper and, using a glass as a template, cut out 2 circles and two crescent moons with a craft knife/ sharp tool. Cut one of the circles into two halves.

Keep the shapes on the baking paper and transfer onto a baking tray.

Preheat the oven to 150 degrees centigrade.

Use the tip of a pencil to pierce small holes in your clay-shapes. These are for attaching the chain to later.

Cover the clay-shapes with another piece of baking paper, then place another baking tray on top and weigh it down with something heavy (I used a heavy casserole) . This is to ensure your clay-shapes cook flat. Place in the oven for 10-15 minutes. (The general rule when cooking polymer clay is 15 minutes per 5mm thickness)

Take out of the oven and leave to cool down with the weighted baking tray still on top.

 Whilst you are waiting for the clay to cool down, get your thread and make a tassel:

Cut out a piece of cardboard and wrap your thread around as shown above.

Thread one of the jump rings onto the thread as you wrap it around the cardboard, so that it ends up at the top of the tassel. Finish it off by wrapping come thread around the top of the tassel and tie tightly.

Using a bit of fine sandpaper, gently sand back any rough edges and any bumpy-ness on the surface of your moon-shapes. (Don't worry about getting it super smooth, just a little tickle will suffice!)

Take them outside and give them one or two coats of clear lacquer...

Whilst you are waiting for the clear lacquer to dry, attach the wooden beads to your tassel to make the bottom of your wall decoration:

Tie another piece of thread through the jump ring at the top of your tassel and thread on the beads. Then tie the beaded tassel to the end of your chain, as shown above. Tuck the end of the thread back into the beads for a neat finish.

When the varnish has dried on the clay-moon-shapes, bring them in to attach them onto the chain.

Using wire cutters, cut the chain up into 4 equal small lengths to go between each moon shape + the beaded tassel end and a longer length for the top.

Using the pointed pliers manipulate the jump rings into the holes in your shapes and attach the chain before squeezing the jump rings shut. Assemble the wall hanging in this way, then finally attach the wooden curtain ring at the top to use to hang the wall decoration from:

Make it as long or short as you want....Perfect for those awkward little spots on a wall that's just screaming out for a bit of added interest!

I love the graphic black moon shapes against Mia's new pale grey wall...

And the beaded tassel at the bottom adds a bit of colour and fun!

Easy, cool and cute...I'd actually quite like one for our living room!

What do you think?

You up for a bit of "pyssel"??

Please vote for me for best DIY blog