Craft An Anchored Chrismon Cross

       An anchor is a device normally made of metal, that is used to connect a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the craft from drifting due to wind or current. The word derives from Latin ancora, which itself comes from the Greek ἄγκυρα (ankura). The anchored cross is a symbol that stands for the Cross of Salvation that prevents the believer from being swept away into a sea or a current of worldly dangers and perilous demise. 
      The Anchored Cross, or Mariner's Cross, is a stylized cross in the shape of an anchor. It is a symbol which is shaped like a plus sign with anchor-like protrusions at the end of each arm, hence the name Anchored Cross. The symbol can be used to signify 'fresh start' or 'hope'.

 A step-by-step collection of photographs illustrating the process of crafting a papier mâché anchored Chrismon cross. 

On the far left above, is the basic stick-like structure that I wrapped and twisted newsprint around in order to construct my anchored cross. Cover the entire surface of your anchor shape with masking tape before mixing and applying the CelluClay. You will need to leave your Chrismon in the sun to dry hard. Cover one side first, let it harden, then cover the opposite side. This will take several days. 

      If you'd like a smoother surface, you can then rub a wood filler on top of your small sculpture, let it dry hard and then sand. I chose to keep my anchor rough and worn. I then added a bit of white glue and transparent glitter to my Mariner's Cross. 

      I wrapped a gold netting with gold wire around the center of the anchor and also caught up a few shells in the netting for added interest, before twisting a white and gold wired ribbon around the top for hanging.

      For this Chrismon ornament you will need to collect the following craft supplies:

• four skewers
• a discarded, cardboard, masking tape roller
• white glitter
• white paint
• gold netting
• a few shells
• fine wire
• masking tape 
• ribbon for a hanger
• CelluClay