4 c. flour
1 c. salt
1 tsp. alum
1 1/2 c. water
Food coloring, poster paints, acrylic paints or markers
Clear shellac, spray plastic or nail polish

Mix ingredients well in a large bowl. If the dough is too dry, work in another tablespoon of water with your hands. Dough can be colored by dividing it into several parts and kneading a drop or two of food coloring into each part. Roll or mold as desired. (If you can't find alum at the grocery store, it is available at the drug store.)

To Roll: Roll dough 1/8" thick on lightly floured board. Cut with cookie cutters dipped in flour. Make a hole in the top, 1/4" from the edge, with the end of a plastic straw dipped in flour. Shake the dots of clay from the straw and press on as decorations. Thread ribbon or wire through the hole to hang ornament.

To Mold: Shape dough into figures (such as flowers, fruit and animals). No more than 1/2" thick. Insert a fine wire in each for hanging.

Bake ornaments at 250 degrees on an ungreased cookie sheet for about 30 minutes. Turn ornaments over and bake another 1 1/2 hours until hard and dry. Remove and cool. When done, sand lightly with fine sandpaper until smooth. Paint with food coloring, plastic based poster paint, acrylic paint or markers. Paint both sides. Allow pain to dry and seal with clear shellac, spray plastic or clear nail polish. This recipe makes about 5 dozen 2 1/2" ornaments.