Victorian MOOD COTTON WOOL toys!

Traditional cotton wool Christmas toys have a wonderful old-fashioned charm. Now, when trees are synthetic, they are a wonderful, safe toy to have... They look as though they have stepped out of a Christmas celebration from a hundred years ago. You can make Santa Claus, little angels, snowmen, birds, and woodland animals using simple materials.

Here is a traditional technique for making them.

Materials you will need

• Cotton wool (preferably loose, natural cotton)

• Thin wire for the framework

• PVA glue

• Water

• White tissue paper or kitchen paper

• Aluminium foil (optional)

• Acrylic paints

• Fine paintbrushes

• Thread or ribbon for hanging

• Clear varnish (optional)

Materials you will need

• Cotton wool (preferably loose, natural cotton)

• PVA glue

• Water

• Thin wire

• Aluminium foil

• Newspaper or tissue paper

• Acrylic paints

• Small brushes

• Thread or ribbon for hanging

• Varnish (optional)

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1. Make the skeleton

Shape thin wire into the basic outline of your toy. Create a head, body, arms and legs.

Step 2. Build the body

Use aluminium foil or small pieces of paper to give the figure volume. Wrap the structure with cotton wool. Use gloves.

Step 3. Prepare the glue mixture

Mix PVA glue with a little water (approximately 2 parts glue to 1 part water). Apply it to the cotton wool in thin layers. Classical glue is made from starch.

Step 4. Add details

Shape the face, hands, clothes, hats and other details. Add more thin layers of cotton wool and glue to create texture.

Step 5. Leave to dry

Allow the figure to dry completely, ideally for 24–48 hours, depending on its size and thickness.

Step 6. Paint and decorate

Use acrylic paints for the face, clothes and accessories. Add delicate details with a fine brush. Finish with a little ribbon or decorative thread.