Clay ornaments to last if cared for

(Port Townsend Washington)

I have ornaments from the 1990's, which I originally dipped in matte polyurethane and gently stored in zip lock baggies. I enjoy celebrating an event in a friend's life of the past year by making an ornament just for her/him and giving it to them at Christmas. For example, this past year a friend took her first watercolor class. Her ornament is a young person holding a pallet and paintbrush. Another friend was married, another participated in a local symphony. (Please see photos.) I have found accessories may be added to an ornament by first baking the accessory, such as the bride's bouquet, then making the actual bride for a second baking, adding the bouquet in her hands at that time.