DIY Antler Place Card

“People are partying, songs are being sung, Sugarplums are dancing, all in holiday fun. Presents are under the tree, reindeer fly high above, peace on earth, goodwill to all, sending joy and love!” D.M. Dellinger

For Christmas, I am decorating with plaid and faux antlers. I made a bunch of large papier-mâché antlers for a style shoot, and I have been in love with (faux) antlers ever since. I figured since I have these antlers, why not use them again, but this time as decor for the holidays. I then decided antler place card favors would be a nice addition to the holiday dining room tablescape.

What you’ll need:
• Molding clay (air dry)
• Craft paint: white, cream, beige, brown, gold
• Small paint brush
• Hot glue gun + hot glue sticks
• Bakers twine (or ribbon)
• Cream card stock
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Black pen

Instructions:
1. Take a small clump of clay and roll it into a skinny snake shape, approx. 3″ long (this will be the main beam of the antler). Take 4 small clumps of clay and mold them into the 4 small skinny snake shapes of different lengths (these will be the points on the antler).

2. Attach the 4 small pieces to the large piece by scoring the clay and wetting the clay water from your paintbrush. Smooth out any bumpy areas out with your fingers and paintbrush.

While the clay is still soft, shape the antler into the appropriate shape.

If you need to, prop up the antler so that the points + beam dry properly and don’t bend over from their weight.

3. Paint the antler white. Let dry.

4. Take your glue gun and create a large base for the main beam. Then create small bumps + lines along the main beam.

5. Paint random parts of the antler cream. Let dry.

6. Paint the areas around the small hot glue bumps + lines in beige. Let dry.

7. Paint the small hot glue bumps + lines that are located near the large hot glue base in brown.

8. Paint the ends of all the points gold. I like to paint them all at different angles.

9. Take your card stock and cut it into a small rectangular tag and punch a hole on one end. Thread bakers twine through the hole and attach the twine to the base of the antler. Write your the name of your guest on the tag.

10. Place an antler on each plate or on the table for each guest.