A few weeks ago, Craftberry Bush did a tutorial on how she made a cute garland out of clay starfish. Super cute.
The other day when I was making my faux coral out of dough, I remembered her tutorial and used up some extra dough to make a couple of starfish. Lucy left her “sea stars” the natural dough color and threaded them into an adorable garland, but I wanted mine to be white.
First, you’ll want to make up a quick salt dough. You’ll need:
2 Cups of whole wheat flour (I like texture it creates, but you can use plain flour too.)
1 cup plain salt
1/2 cup water at room temperature
Mix the salt and flour in a large bowl and then add the water. Knead the mixture for about 5-10 minutes until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and let the dough sit for 20 minutes or so before using.
I took the dough and smushed it into a little disk. I pressed a star-shape into the disk which left me with 5 fairly equal pieces of the dough.

I rolled each of the 5 pieces into little sections, then placed them in a star shape, connecting them at the middle. Smooth your star into, well, um, a star shape… Insert toothpicks or skewers into it if you want to make your starfish a bit more durable. (I am lazy and wasn’t too worried about it.) Take a skewer and poke little holes all over it for texture.



Once they were dry, I took them outside and sprayed them a gloss white, then I took Rustoleum’s Heirloom White and gave a light mist over the top of the white.
When they’re dry, bring them in the house and, um, stick them somewhere….
I have a feeling these will get moved around a lot as I decide where to put them.
But in the meantime, this’ll work.
Really?
REALLY!!
I hope we can we still be friends. You’re so stinkin’ fabulous and crafty and I just buy that kind of stuff already done!
You continue to amaze me!
woah these look so cool! and real! turned out awesome 🙂
SHUT UP!!
That’s awesome!!! They look perfect!
Perfect for the Beach Bash party too are you in on that??
this is really a GREAT Idea 🙂
How seriously hilarious that make a starfish! I was just coming over here to feature your coral and as I was on my way I thought ” I wonder if I could fashion some sort of starfish with that dough? “
Ferris Bueller…you’re my idol.
Wow Viv, that sea star looks like the real deal!
You’re on a dough roll…, or rolling in dough! He, he…, fabulous!!
Totally amazing!!!!
I’m thinking that at some point in your life, someone deprived you of playdough! LOL
Actually…I love all of these ideas…if only my hubby would let me change his bathroom!!
Absolutely fabulous…I wouldn’t expect any less…
Wow! That’s all I’m going to say.
Hugs – Carolyn
Shut up! SHUT UP!! HOW do you do things like this ALL THE TIME??
this is great and just in time for summer!
This is incredible! I LOVE it! I have been really wanting to find a way to make these. I was down in Laguna last weekend and almost gave into their $5 price tag…but at last my senses kicked in and I stopped. I then was at Michael’s with a coupon 2 days ago and gave in…needless to say I am heading over there now to return them and make my own! You really have made my day!
Thanks a bunch and keep up the great work! I can’t wait to see what is next!
Kaitlin
notsosimplehousewife.blogspot.com
I LOVE this! Thanks for linking up to Sassy Sites! XOXO!
marni
Those are SO impressive! I guess you can make anything, it seems to me! But gosh Girl….I’d have been happy to send you real ones, you know! 😉 I live on the shore, for goodness sake. But why ask, right? When you can just, you know… ‘whip some up’. Show off. 😉 lol I’m seriously WOWED.
These are great. I think I’m going to be making some.
Ruth
WOW. You are faking it & making it. Geez woman, slow down, you’re making the rest of us look bad 😉
Those are so cool!
This super cute!
I love starfish!
Since my bathroom and bedroom is ocean themed,I will have to give it a try.
Thanks for sharing!
Wow! This is amazing! I am SO going to make some of these! Thanks so much for linking up to the Summer Lovin Soiree! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Crystal
HomemakerinHeels.com
Wow – these look awesome! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
This is a great idea!! Stopping by from The Girl Creative linky party.
Here is what I shared this week: http://craftybrooklynarmywife.blogspot.com/2011/06/summer-pillows.html
Happy 4th of July!!
So cool! I would love it if you would link up to my Tuesday Confessional link party going on now: http://www.craftyconfessions.com/2011/07/tuesday-confessional-link-up-2.html. I hope to see you soon!
~Macy from Confessions of a SAHM
Okay dude, this is seriously awesome. I am looking for making some clay starfish and I just got the perfect tutorial.
THANK YOU
A teeny question. Is this salt dough or clay?
Hi Viv, I made these starfishes and also mentioned your blog’s URL in mine.
Love
Rukmini
I have been wanting to some decorating with starfish, but I could not get past the idea of the little creatures having given their all for my joy. This idea is awesome, now I can make some.
THank you!
cute…..How long does it take to dry? do u just air dry it or is an oven invol ed? thanks bj