Why Handmade Ornaments Matter
Commercial Christmas ornaments are mass-produced, fragile, and interchangeable. Handmade pottery ornaments are durable, unique, and irreplaceable. They survive being dropped by children, knocked by cats, and stored in attics for decades. Each one carries the texture of the maker's hands and a story. Over time, a collection becomes one of the family's most treasured possessions.
Stephen Jepson made pottery ornaments for friends and family for decades. He sees them as tiny sculptures — each one an opportunity to practice form, surface decoration, and glaze in miniature.
Ornament Ideas
Stamped Slab Ornaments
Roll a thin slab — about a quarter inch thick — and press stamps into the soft clay. Cut shapes with cookie cutters: stars, trees, bells, angels, hearts. Punch a hole near the top for hanging cord. Bisque fire, then glaze or paint with underglazes. A single afternoon can produce dozens of ornaments.
Small Thrown Bells
Throw tiny bells — two to three inches tall. A small closed form with a slit cut in the bottom and a clay clapper inside. They produce a gentle, muted clay tone. Charming, unusual ornaments that add sound to the tree.
Miniature Vessels
Throw or hand-build tiny vases, bowls, mugs, and teapots — one to two inches tall. Glaze in holiday colors. These miniatures showcase your skills in adorable scale.
Personalized Year Ornaments
Stamp or carve the year into a slab ornament along with a family name or milestone. Over the years, these create a timeline on the tree. Start this tradition and the family will expect one every year.
Nature-Pressed Ornaments
Press actual leaves, ferns, or evergreen sprigs into soft clay slabs. The plant material burns away in the kiln, leaving a perfect impression. Cut around the design, punch a hanging hole, and fire. Glaze with a wash that highlights the natural textures.
Making Pottery Ornaments
Clay and Thickness
Use smooth stoneware or porcelain — grog makes small pieces feel rough. Roll slabs to a quarter inch or slightly thinner. Very thin ornaments are lighter but more fragile. Very thick are heavy on branches. A quarter inch is the sweet spot.
Hanging Holes
Punch the hole before the clay dries. Use a drinking straw or small cutter. Make the hole at least a quarter inch for cord. Position so the ornament hangs at the desired angle.
Glazing Small Pieces
Thread a wire through hanging holes of multiple ornaments and dip the batch. Or brush individually for control. Use bright, festive colors. Metallic lusters add holiday sparkle but require a third firing.
Ornaments as Products
Pottery ornaments sell extremely well at holiday craft fairs and online from October through December. They are lightweight, inexpensive to ship, and priced at eight to twenty dollars. Personalized ornaments command premium prices. A potter can produce hundreds from a few bags of clay.
Learn from Stephen Jepson
Stephen's pottery video lessons cover slab work, small forms, surface decoration, and glazing — all the skills needed for ornament production. One-time purchase, lifetime access.