Walnut Nativity
Ornament Kit Assembly:
These beautiful, tiny nativity ornaments are made by arranging the tiny figures on the base, and then inserting the base into the walnut half-shell. The walnut shells in the kit have been made with an extra hole at the top for applying the star. Each ornament requires three components: walnut shell, plastic base with holes, and Size A nativity figures.
Preferred Adhesives:
Use a fast-drying glue like super glue, Beacon 3-in-1, or Aleene's Turbo Tacky Glue.
The figures and shell can also be painted. Use an acrylic craft paint designed for use on plastic, or enamel hobby paints. Slightly thinned paints will help to retain the fine details of the figures. You can either paint the figures while still attached to the support (a small clamp or binder clip can be used as a handle for painting.) You can also start by twisting the figures off of the support, and gluing them to the plastic base first. Then you can easily hold the base while painting the figures.
To assemble the pieces:
- Twist the nativity figures off of their supports.
- Apply glue to the undersides of each figure. Affix them to the base by pressing the tiny pegs into the holes. Arrange the figures facing the base's straight edge, orienting the family around the manger.
- Apply glue to the underside of the base, and set the base into the walnut shell with the lip overhanging the front edge.
- Apply glue to the peg on the back of the star's tail, and press it into the hole at the top of the shell. Position it so that the hanging loop can still be accessed.
- You may add a loop of thread through the hanging loop, or use metal ornament hangers to display.
