Creating medallions is a rewarding craft that combines artistry with practical decoration. Whether you’re looking to add elegant touches to your home, create unique gifts, or explore a new creative outlet, learning medallion making opens up endless possibilities. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods and materials to help you craft stunning medallions from scratch.
Understanding What Makes a Great Medallion
A medallion is essentially a decorative circular or oval ornament that can serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. Before diving into the creation process, it’s helpful to understand what distinguishes a well-made medallion. The best medallions feature balanced proportions, clear central designs, and appropriate materials for their intended use. They can range from simple paper decorations to intricate clay or metal pieces.
Essential Materials for Making Medallions
The materials you choose will depend on your medallion’s purpose and your skill level. For beginners, paper medallions offer an excellent starting point. You’ll need quality cardstock or decorative paper, scissors or a craft knife, adhesive, and embellishments like ribbons or beads. More advanced crafters might work with polymer clay, air-dry clay, plaster, or even wood.
Gather these basic supplies before starting your project:
Base material (paper, cardstock, clay, or wood)
Cutting tools (scissors, craft knife, or circle cutters)
Adhesives appropriate for your materials
Decorative elements (paint, markers, stamps, or embellishments)
Protective sealant if needed
Templates or compass for creating circles
How to Make Paper Medallions
Paper medallions are perfect for party decorations, scrapbooking, or wall art. They’re budget-friendly and allow for quick experimentation with colors and patterns. To make a basic paper medallion, start by cutting multiple circles of varying sizes from your chosen papers. Layer these circles from largest to smallest, securing each layer with adhesive at the center.
For a more dimensional look, try the rosette method. Cut a long strip of paper and fold it accordion-style with even pleats. Once folded, bring the ends together to form a circle and secure them. Gently fan out the pleats to create a beautiful radiating pattern. Add a contrasting circle in the center to cover the connection point and create a polished finish.
Advanced Paper Medallion Techniques
Once you’ve mastered basic paper medallions, explore more complex designs. Try combining different paper textures like crepe paper with cardstock, or add dimensional elements like buttons, vintage book pages, or fabric flowers to the center. Scalloped edges created with decorative scissors add an elegant touch, while metallic papers bring sophistication to your designs.
Creating Clay Medallions
Clay offers durability and versatility for medallion making. Polymer clay is ideal for beginners because it’s easy to work with and bakes in a home oven. Roll out your clay to an even thickness, then use circular cutters to create your base shape. Before baking, add texture using stamps, carving tools, or household items like lace or textured fabric pressed into the surface.
For the central design, you can apply additional clay pieces, carve patterns, or press in small objects. Remember to create a hanging hole if you plan to display your medallion. After baking according to the manufacturer’s instructions, you can paint, seal, or leave your medallion in its natural state.
My Journey with Medallion Making
I stumbled into medallion making quite unexpectedly while planning my daughter’s birthday party. The store-bought decorations felt generic, so I decided to create paper medallions in her favorite colors. That first batch was far from perfect—some had wonky circles, others wouldn’t stay folded properly—but the process was so enjoyable that I couldn’t stop.
Over time, I’ve created medallions for weddings, baby showers, and home decor. Each project taught me something new, whether it was discovering that scoring paper before folding makes crisper pleats or learning that a dab of hot glue works better than tape for securing rosette ends. The best part has been watching friends and family members try their hand at making medallions after seeing mine, each person adding their own creative twist.
Step-by-Step Guide to Make a Basic Medallion
Here’s a straightforward method to create your first medallion:
Begin by selecting your base material and deciding on the final size. For a 6-inch finished medallion, cut a circle that’s at least 6 inches in diameter from sturdy cardstock. This will serve as your foundation and provide structural support.
Next, cut additional circles in progressively smaller sizes—perhaps 5 inches, 4 inches, and 3 inches. Choose complementary colors or patterns that work well together. Layer these circles on top of each other, slightly offset if desired, and secure them with adhesive in the center.
Add your central focal point, which could be a decorative button, a stamped design, a photo, or another small medallion. This element should draw the eye and anchor the entire piece. Attach any additional embellishments like ribbons, pearls, or die-cut shapes around the layers.
Finally, if you plan to hang your medallion, attach a ribbon loop or string to the back. For wall mounting, consider using foam adhesive squares or picture hanging strips.
Design Ideas and Inspiration
The beauty of making medallions lies in their versatility. Create patriotic medallions with red, white, and blue papers for Independence Day celebrations. Design elegant gold and cream versions for wedding decorations or anniversary gifts. Seasonal medallions featuring autumn leaves, winter snowflakes, spring flowers, or summer beach themes can refresh your home decor throughout the year.
Consider making medallions as gift tags by creating smaller versions with the recipient’s name in the center. They transform ordinary wrapped presents into something special. For children’s rooms, make colorful medallions featuring their favorite characters, animals, or hobbies.
Tips for Professional-Looking Results
Achieving polished results requires attention to detail. Always use sharp cutting tools to ensure clean edges. When working with circles, invest in a quality circle cutter or use multiple sizes of circular templates for consistency. If hand-cutting, take your time and rotate the paper as you cut rather than moving your scissors.
For paper projects, scoring fold lines before creasing helps create sharp, professional pleats. Use a bone folder or the back of a butter knife to score along a ruler’s edge. When layering materials, start from the center and work outward to avoid trapping air bubbles.
Don’t rush the drying process. Whether you’re working with glue, paint, or sealant, allowing adequate drying time prevents smudging and ensures durability. If you’re making multiple medallions, create an assembly line by completing the same step for all pieces before moving to the next step.
Troubleshooting Common Challenges
Even experienced crafters encounter issues when making medallions. If your paper rosettes won’t hold their circular shape, try using heavier cardstock or reinforcing the center with a cardboard circle. When layers won’t stay adhered, switch to a stronger adhesive like hot glue or double-sided tape designed for crafts.
Warping can occur when working with paper and liquid adhesives. Minimize this by using glue sparingly and pressing materials firmly while they dry. For clay medallions that crack during baking, ensure your clay is properly conditioned before use and that your oven temperature is accurate.
Preserving and Displaying Your Medallions
Proper care extends the life of your handmade creations. Paper medallions should be kept away from direct sunlight to prevent fading and stored in dry conditions to avoid moisture damage. If displaying paper medallions long-term, consider spraying them with a protective sealant designed for paper crafts.
Clay and plaster medallions benefit from a clear sealant that protects against chips and makes cleaning easier. Display medallions away from high-traffic areas where they might get bumped or knocked down. When storing, wrap each medallion in tissue paper and place them in a sturdy box to prevent crushing.
Expanding Your Medallion Making Skills
Once you’re comfortable with basic techniques, challenge yourself with more complex projects. Try combining materials—perhaps a wooden base with clay embellishments and fabric accents. Experiment with mixed-media approaches that incorporate painting, stamping, and collage techniques.
Consider learning complementary crafts that enhance your medallion making. Basic jewelry-making skills allow you to create wire-wrapped elements or beaded borders. Calligraphy or hand-lettering adds personalized messages to your designs. Even photography skills help when you want to showcase your creations or create instruction guides for others.
Conclusion
Making medallions is an accessible craft that welcomes beginners while offering endless possibilities for experienced artists. Whether you choose to work with simple paper or explore more durable materials, the process allows for personal expression and creates beautiful results. Start with basic designs, practice your techniques, and gradually experiment with new materials and methods. Most importantly, enjoy the creative journey and the satisfaction of making something beautiful with your own hands.
