You can order unpainted nutcrackers. Which is amazing news for anyone who wants to coordinate with their Christmas color palette, fit a personal theme, or create nutcrackers based on their friends or favorite TV characters. So we asked our talented friends, Hallmark Artist Sam L. and Designer Tuesday S., to inspire us. One DIY nutcracker workshop, coming up…
SUPPLIES FOR DIY NUTCRACKER
- Large or small unpainted nutcrackers
- Acrylic paint
- Paint brushes (including fine tips for details)
- Paint markers
- Faux fur (for hair)
- Gems, sequins, glitter, and other sparkly things
- Fabric trim
- Craft glue
- Hot glue gun
Pro tips for painting a DIY nutcracker
- Make a plan. What’s your color palette? Is there a theme? Do you want to create something traditional or more modern?
- Think about props. Nutcrackers have whimsical headgear and a variety of props. What will yours hold? Do you want to transform a sword or drums into something else?
- Do your research. Dig around on Google and Pinterest to get inspired.
Sam got her inspiration from Sugar Plum Fairies. From the flower-petal eyelashes to the ombré cuffs, her nutcracker was born to sparkle.
There is no such thing as too much when you’re accessorizing a nutcracker.
Don’t feel constrained by traditional nutcracker facial features. Sketch some designs out before you start painting to take full advantage of that kind-of-unnerving open-and-shut mouth.
So. Many. Details. What’s the point of painting a military jacket if you’re not going to embellish the heck out of it?
Nutcracker hairstyles are an important means of self-expression.
Whether wild-maned or fond of fanciful facial hair, every DIY nutcracker is proud to show off his headgear.
Want more inspiration? See Em B.’s hand painted nutcrackers in their natural habitat on her decked-out mantel, here.
This turned out to be one of those opportunities to get out ALL the craft supplies, and you have to love those. We hope you’re inspired to paint your own DIY nutcracker. And, of course, share them with us on Facebook or Instagram.
Where oh where can one buy unpainted nutcrackers of that size? I would love to know!!
We have links in the supplies list!
I do an annual Christmas crafting party and this years theme is Nutcrackers! Thank you so much for this! So many great ideas we can use as inspiration! Where did you get the hair?
The hair is just pieces of fake fur, trimmed and twirled to fit. You can find it at any craft store—and Amazon.com has a great selection. Just search “fake fur for crafts.”