An alternative to Valentine’s Day flowers

I don’t normally do anything for Valentine’s Day. Roses are not an option for me as they are not in season in the UK in February and I always try to buy seasonal British flowers. However, this year I decided to make a clay heart twig tree using air drying clay and some foraged branches. All very inexpensive and better for the environment than buying roses that have been imported.

You will need:

• White air drying clay

• A large apothecary jar

• Heart shape cutters

• A rolling pin

• Twine

• Foraged twigs

• Wooden skewers

• A small bowl of water

• Sandpaper

Step 1:

Roll out the clay using a rolling pin. I used some wooden skewers to try to keep the thickness of the hearts the same.

Step 2:

Use the cutters to cut out the hearts. I used small and medium sized cutters. Use a small amount of water to smooth around the edges of the hearts with your fingers. Using the flat end of the wooden skewer, make a hole so that you can add the twine once the hearts are dry. I made approximately 50 hearts.

Step 3:

Leave the hearts to dry for around 24 hours. Turn them over a few times to ensure they dry flat.

Step 4:

Once the hearts are completely dry, give them a light sand if required to smooth any rough edges. Then simply add the twine.

Step 5:

Add the branches to the apothecary jar and then add the hearts. A lovely table display for Valentine’s Day and you can use the clay hearts again next year!