Too soon? Yes, of course, it’s too soon for Christmas posts, but I am starting to think about Christmas projects and decorations. I really enjoyed making things for Christmas last year and I would like to do more of that this year. I sold the salt dough ornaments I made last year because I was pretty sure they wouldn’t fair well stored in a hot container with our other household belongings, so I will definitely be making more of those things year. I wanted to get some new molds and I decided to shop for them before the Christmas-shopping rush.
Remember these? You can find a recipe and tutorial for making these “gingerbread” salt dough ornaments HERE.
You can purchase the windmill mold HERE and the bird & flower mold HERE. These sold out pretty quickly last year, which is why I am sharing them now.
I also made some traditional salt dough ornaments and you can find the recipe for those HERE.
You can also find my post on how to make dried orange slices HERE. I gave those away at my yard sale, too, and will definitely be making more!
So, I combed through various websites to see what kind of molds I could find. I have been keeping an eye out for vintage and antique ones – butter molds, gingerbread molds, springerle molds, but a lot of them weren’t quite the right size or shape, or the design wasn’t of interest. I came across some molds on Etsy in a shop called the Gingerhaus and I loved their designs, many of which are based on antique molds.
I had at least a dozen in my cart, but I edited the selection down to my very favorite molds. From the top, clockwise – acorn, floral wreath, hiking rabbit, edelweiss, German Christmas tree.
Other than the Christmas tree, I wanted to select molds that weren’t specifically Christmasy for making salt dough ornaments. These were shapes and designs that I was attracted to because they have a vintage look and I could envision them making great ornaments. Can you picture the floral wreath with the center cut out, threaded on a pretty ribbon?
I grew up in Germany and have always loved edelweiss. The flower itself is a fuzzy, strange little thing, but it does make a lovely design pattern. A funny story about edelweiss – when we lived there, it was illegal to pick them. As a young girl, I didn’t know that and I picked one when we were on a hike. My older brother did what older brothers do and terrified me by telling me I would be arrested and go to jail. Tears ensued followed by reassurances from my parents that I would not go to jail, but I shouldn’t pick anymore.
The hiking rabbit reminded me of the cast iron hiking rabbit I have. I guess I have a thing for hiking rabbits?
Of course, the Christmas tree looks like an antique German feather tree with candles, a Dresden angel on top, and traditional toys underneath. Look at the little squirrel! It was hard to resist this mold, especially for making Christmas ornaments.
And the acorn? Well, you just can’t go wrong with classic acorn molds.
If you are looking for other salt dough ornament molds or molds for cookies, fondant, marzipan, chocolate, clay, etc. Etsy is a great place to source some unique ones.
If you can’t tell, I am hopeful about having a house to decorate for Christmas! I was able to fit my large noble fir Balsam Hill Christmas tree in the last container we packed. It was a little iffy for a while if I was going to be able to keep it, but I was glad that I was. We spent a couple of hours cutting all of the prestrung lights off of it in January (you can read a review of the tree HERE) and it’s a gorgeous artificial tree, so I am thankful it fit and I get to decorate it again.
I’m not in a rush for Christmas to come, but I am excited about working on some new and repeat projects and these molds will be fun to experiment with when making salt dough ornaments and other things. I may even try making some actual, edible cookies.
In other preparing-for-winter news, I will be making a Selbu MItten knitting tutorial soon for those who want to make them for themselves or as Christmas gifts. If you want to join in, you can see a list of materials and some tips for beginners HERE.
Eeek! I’ve been a reader of your blog for a few years. Imagine my delight to open this newest post and see Springerle molds! I’ve been collecting new and old molds for a while now. The old molds and rolling pins look so good with the ironstone I have. My grandmother made Springerle and now I continue that tradition in our family. I may try and make some ornaments this year! Thanks!
I think it’s brilliant you are sharing Christmas projects now. I’m sure I’m not alone in thanking you. The closer to the Holidays the harder it is to get supplies in time.
Marian, Thank you ever so much for your postings even when you and your family probably feel like gypsies some days. This is a wonderful posting and I can’t wait to get going on Christmas. I usually start in August if I’m making gifts. Thanks so much for the springerle mold links. I’ve never had a recipe that worked so if you ever think of it could you post your recipe for the cookies.
Loved seeing the picture of your Christmas tree again — it is a beautiful tree! Have you ever done a post about the living room ceiling in your MN home? I have checked your blog for one, but have not found it. Really enjoy all of your postings!
Betsy –
I could never get my Austrian Grandmother to write down her recipe but this one hit the mark. Go to
House on the Hill website. She now only wholesales the gorgeous molds she created but still offers the recipes for springerle and speculaas cookies. She also has a list of the retailers that sell her molds which are gorgeous!
You are always so amazingly generous with what you share with us! It just warms my heart when you say you are making a tutorial for us. Feeling the love over here!
Thank you!
Love that you shared your source(s). I have a major thing for pinecones and acorns but Etsy was a bit out of my budget. But at least now I know what to search for! Thank you!!
I have been using the Iron Orchid Design molds for the last few years and they are wonderful. (Really all the things those two ladies dream up are wonderful!) The molds can be used for air dry clay, resin or with food crafting supplies. They have this great little “micro-rim” along the top edge making it easy to scrape off the excess before removing the material from the mold. That way you end up with a nice clean edge you don’t have to trim up afterwards. They have a great variety of designs, and come out with new ones all the time. ?
Every year I start sewing my gifts in July. This year I’ve ramped up my “Saks by Irene” designs by embroidering ea persons first name on the outside so far I’ve sewn 76 with about 30 more to go. Forgot I even knew that many women ! ! I have a very small family but lots of friends and I sure hope they will love these designs !especially made for them. So when will you land a new home school will be open soon for your boys ?
I was the reader who emailed you to ask for a Selbu mitten tutorial, although, there may have been others. I love that stranded colorwork and felt inspired enough by your posts to sign up at a local yarn store. I’m working now on my first pair and really am enjoying it. No one on YouTube had a tutorial that goes through the fine details necessary like about carrying floats, etc., so I’m sure you’ll be filling that niche online. Great timing on ‘winterish’ posts. It’s always great to begin early for the holidays, for all sorts of reasons! Thank you!
The Springerle mold are also wonderful for paper molds. You can use paper clay (from a craft store) but I use paper pulp to create thin paper impressions. They are lovely as is but are fragile so I tend to mount them on a colored card stock to use as a small framed piece, an ornament or for a card
I loved the ornaments you made last year and have already purchased some molds. We usually start on Christmas crafts in September, so the timing is great. A lot tends to happen between December and September, so I confess to putting a reminder on my September calendar with links to recipes and ideas for the coming year, along with a list of items that I might need to shop early for.
After reading your post this morning I thought “I have one of those molds”. Want to a corner of my kitchen where I have my collection of wooden kitchen utensils and sure enough there it was. And, it was an edelweiss. I love it when you run across something that allows you to view your collections in a new light.
Never too early!! I love the molds. We made our kiddos handprints into salt dough ornaments and they are still one of my favorites!!