Make your own Salt Dough Heart

How to create a salt dough heart

Another way to make a heart with Salt-dough

Source: © Newman | Stock Free Images

How to create a salt dough heart

Salt dough is used for one of-a-kind creations. Simple is often better with salt dough art. We will make a simple heart wreath using salt dough. This is a quick and inexpensive craft that can easily be personalized for special gifts and mementos.

Supplies:

1 cup Salt

2 cups Flour

1 cup Water

Mixing bowl

Newspapers

Optional:

Red food colouring (if colour is desired)

Acrylic paint (if you wish to add designs, or names)

Tinfoil covered baking sheet

Spray urethane for a complete finish (recommended)

Note: White flour will give your work a smoother finish while whole wheat flour will give your creation a more rustic look.

1 lay out your newspaper for an easy to use and clean work surface.

2 Mix salt and flour together.

3 Add water until dough is fairly firm. Slightly harder then play dough is good. To make dough firmer add more flour, to make it more pliable add more water.

4. At this point your options are limitless, but to focus on a simple heart shaped wreath divide the dough into three pieces.

5. If you wish to colour the dough itself add a few drops to one piece of dough, and a few more drops to another piece of dough. Start with a few drops and add till you get a pink and a red that you like.

6. Roll out the tree pieces of dough to long thin rolls. Then roll or wrap the three pieces around each other. Do not smooth the pieces together but allow them to maintain a braided look. Shape the salt dough ‘rope’ into the shape of a heart twisting it at the bottom to attach the ends.

7. Allow to air dry for 24 hours or put in the oven on the tinfoil lined baking sheet for 12 hours at 200 F. Turn the heat on in the oven after the dough has been placed inside.

8. When you are sure your creation is dry, feel free to paint any decorations such as flowers or names. Keep it simple to maintain the old-fashioned look of the heart.

9. Spray with urethane or other clear finish, let dry and enjoy.

Tips: Dough can be kept for a couple of days if completely covered. Experiment with it, use cookie cutters, or play dough sculpting toys. Use a small heart shaped cookie cutter and cut out one heart for each member of the family. Attach the hearts to the wreath crowded together. Paint each persons name on their heart.