diy clay conversation hearts (with arrows)

conversation hearts.

i wonder how they ever got started, 

as i remember them when i was little girl 

a looooooong time ago.

guess i could always google the history of 

conversation hearts or even go buy me a 

box but i don't like the taste of 'em.

so what's a non-conversation-heart-eater like me

supposed to do when i still like the 

cuteness of conversation hearts?

i make them with clay 

except i include an arrow in it. 

like this:

to make these, first up you'll need air dry clay and 

a valentine mold, both of which you 

can find at michael's.

just smoosh the clay in the mold and compact 

it as tight as you can then smooth 

out the back with your hand.

flip the mold over to be sure the 

front of the heart looks smooth.

this clay is really awesome because it doesn't stick 

to your hand and with just a little coaxing, 

is actually easy to remove from the mold and 

still be a little pliable to work with 

before it completely dries.

no worries about the letters being a little indistinct, 

as we can fix that after it dries.

anyway, since it isn't completely dry yet, 

we can do this:

now you need your arrow.

that way you can get a heart with a 

straight arrow like so:

now grab your paint and go to town with all the colors.

i stuck the hearts on a stick while i painted them.

this way it's easier to turn the hearts while 

painting and not get your fingers in the way.

then stick the stick in a styrofoam block or 

a lollipop holder like i have to dry.

when the paint dries,

go over the raised letters with a red sharpie.

and then enjoy all the little colorful 

arrow conversation hearts.

don't forget to add your twine or ribbon or whatever.

i hung these on a fake tree plant in my dining room.

so there you have it.

you can hang these on a string as a garland, 

or as a gift tag, a trinket for your sweetie pal, 

leave the holes outta them and glue to cardstock 

and make a pic, turn them into kid jewelry, 

put them in a bowl for display,

make a card outta them, 

wrap them around flatware in napkins,

glue them on a gift package, 

stick them in a jar, 

or or or...

all of the above.

or just look at these and add them to 

pinterest to make who knows when. lol