Maya Ellison
Decorating plastic Christmas ornaments is a fun and easy way to get into the festive spirit. Whether you're crafting with kids or creating a sophisticated look, there are endless possibilities for customising plain plastic baubles. From simple techniques like filling them with Christmas-themed items or glitter to more complex methods like marbling or dip-dyeing, decorating plastic Christmas ornaments is a great way to get creative.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Items to decorate | Paint, ribbon, stickers, textured materials, fabric, glitter, pipe cleaners, modelling clay, feathers, buttons, artificial snow, cotton balls, photos, twine, soup mix, CDs, scrapbook paper, cupcake decorations, flowers, pine cones, hairspray, glue, food colouring, alcohol, polycrylic, Mod Podge, gold leaf, tape, syringes, cups, glitter, etc. |
| Techniques | Painting, dip-dyeing, filling, sticking, wrapping, dip-painting, pour-painting, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Using glitter, hairspray and a plastic syringe
Decorating plastic Christmas ornaments is a fun and easy way to add some sparkle to your holiday decorations. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving this using glitter, hairspray, and a plastic syringe:
First, prepare your workspace by placing a small tub or container lined with kitchen roll on your work surface. This will help catch any excess glitter and protect your work area. Then, take your plastic ornament and remove its lid or top. Place the ornament upright in a small disposable cup or container to support it while you work.
Next, we'll create the glittery coating for the inside of the ornament. Take your plastic syringe and draw up about 3.75 mL of polycrylic, a type of gloss or floor polish, into the syringe. You can also use hairspray, but polycrylic is recommended for a thicker, more even coating. Inject the polycrylic or hairspray into the ornament. You can also use a funnel for this step if you don't have a syringe.
Now, swirl the ornament gently to evenly coat the inside, gradually tipping it upside down until the entire inside is coated. You can also rotate the ornament on its side to spread the coating. Once the inside is coated, flip the ornament upside down over a small cup and rotate a couple of times to ensure the top is coated as well. Allow any excess coating to drip into the cup.
At this point, you can add your glitter. Pour a generous amount of fine glitter into the ornament using a funnel or by folding a small piece of paper to create a funnel. You can also experiment with mixing different glitter colours for a unique look. Swirl the glitter inside the ornament, working it up to the mouth. Then, tap the ornament gently upside down over a cup or container to remove any excess glitter.
Finally, let the ornament dry. Place it upright in an empty egg carton or its original packaging to allow it to dry for about an hour. After it's dry, carefully reassemble the ornament by inserting the metal top prongs into the neck. You can now add any additional decorations, such as vinyl decals, ribbons, or decorative ribbon for hanging.
With these simple steps, you can create beautiful, glittery plastic Christmas ornaments that are sure to impress!
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Pour-painting with small Christmas-coloured items
Pour-painting is a simple and inexpensive way to decorate plastic Christmas ornaments. The process is very easy, and the end result is a gorgeous, colourful, glossy ornament.
To start, you will need some clear plastic balls and acrylic craft paint. You can use any colours you like, but red and green are classic Christmas colours. You could also add classic Christmas glitter to the inside of your ornaments. To do this, remove the top cover of the ornament and use a plastic syringe to fill the ornament with polycrylic. Gently rotate the ornament so that the polycrylic covers the entire inside surface, and then add your glitter.
If you want to add small Christmas-coloured items to your ornaments, you could try adding pom-poms, sequins, or small beads. You could also add small Christmas figurines or symbols, such as a Christmas tree or a snowman. Simply pour your chosen paint into the ornament, along with your chosen small items, swirl it around, and drain the excess paint.
If you want to add a marbled effect, fill a large disposable tray with water and spray your chosen colours of paint into the water. The paint will float on the surface. Dip your ornament into the paint and it will adhere to the ball, creating a marbled effect.
Once you have decorated your ornaments, let them dry. Depending on the temperature and humidity, this could take a few days or even a few weeks. Once they are dry, pop the tops back on and use some ribbon to make a loop and a bow. Your ornaments are now ready to hang!
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Filling with white material and decorating with a snowman's face
Filling a clear plastic ornament with white material and decorating it with a snowman's face is a fun and simple Christmas craft. This project is perfect for kids and can be done at home or in a preschool or daycare setting.
To get started, you will need some clear plastic ornaments and fluffy, white cotton balls. You can also use other white filling materials, such as white pom-poms or craft paint. Remove the tops from the ornaments and begin filling them with the cotton balls. If needed, use a pencil or paintbrush handle to push the cotton balls into the ornament. Once the ornament is completely filled, replace the top.
Now it's time to decorate your snowman's face! Cut out a small triangle from orange paper or felt for the carrot nose, and glue it in place. For the eyes, you can use googly eyes or black paper cut into small dots. You can also use a black marker or paint to draw on the eyes and a smile. To add a scarf, cut a small strip of colourful paper or fabric and glue it around the snowman's "neck." Finally, attach a thread or string to the top of the ornament for hanging.
Feel free to add your own creative touches to your snowman, such as rosy cheeks, a top hat, or even a small pipe made from brown paper or pipe cleaners. You can also add glitter to the inside of the ornament before filling it with the white material for an extra sparkly effect. Enjoy crafting your festive snowman!
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Wrapping with twine and ribbon
Wrapping plastic Christmas ornaments with twine and ribbon is a fun and creative way to decorate your tree. It's a simple process that can be done in a few steps, and you can add your own personal touches to make them unique. Here's a guide to help you get started:
Choosing the Right Materials
Select a plastic ornament that is clear or has a simple design that can be enhanced with twine and ribbon. You can find these ornaments at craft stores or online. Choose a colour and type of twine that complements your Christmas tree's colour scheme. Natural-coloured twine gives a rustic look, while colourful twine adds a playful touch. To secure the twine, you will need a glue gun or an adhesive like hot glue or Mod Podge. For a more luxurious feel, opt for velvet, satin, or silk ribbons. You can also use wired ribbons to create larger, more defined bows.
Wrapping the Ornament
Start by applying a small amount of glue to the ornament's cap or the top edge, and press the end of the twine into it to secure it in place. Begin wrapping the twine around the ornament, keeping the lines close together for a neat look. You can wrap the twine tightly or loosely, depending on the desired effect. If you want to add ribbon as well, leave some space uncovered. Continue wrapping until you are happy with the coverage, then secure the end of the twine with another small dot of glue.
Adding Ribbon Accents
Cut a piece of ribbon, ensuring it is long enough to wrap around the ornament with some excess for a bow. You can either wrap the ribbon over the twine or leave some spaces uncovered by twine for a unique look. Secure the ribbon with glue, then tie a bow at the top, leaving the tails long and flowing or curled, depending on your preference. You can also add a small ornament or gift tag to the bow for extra decoration.
Final Touches
To give your ornament a rustic charm, consider adding burlap ribbon or small twig decorations. You can also fill clear ornaments with small items like felt balls, snowflakes, or holly berries before replacing the lid and tying the ribbon or twine. Be creative and experiment with different colours, textures, and embellishments to make your ornaments truly unique.
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Covering with fabric and painting with Mod Podge
Decorating plastic Christmas ornaments with fabric and Mod Podge is a fun and easy craft that can be done by both kids and adults. It is also a great way to create unique, elegant, and inexpensive decorations for your home. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Preparing the Fabric and the Ornament:
First, you will need to gather your materials. For this project, you will need plastic ornaments, fabric of your choice, Mod Podge, a paintbrush, and any other embellishments you want to add. Cut your fabric into manageable bits or strips using scissors or a rotary cutter. If you want to cover the ornament with fabric completely, cut long 1/2" strips of fabric that can wrap around the ornament. You can also cut smaller pieces to fill in any gaps.
Applying Mod Podge and Fabric:
Remove the ornament topper and set it aside. Apply a generous coat of Mod Podge in a strip from one side of the ornament to the other. Then, place your first strip of fabric and brush over it to smooth it down. Repeat this process, adding more Mod Podge and fabric strips until you have covered four sections of the ornament. Turn the ornament 90 degrees each time you add a new strip.
Filling the Gaps and Sealing:
Once you have applied the four strips of fabric, begin filling in the gaps by adding shorter pieces of fabric and cutting them to length. Overlapping the fabric is fine, and you can even cut tiny pieces to fill in any small gaps. Once the entire ornament is covered in fabric, apply a generous and even layer of Mod Podge to seal everything in. Allow the ornament to dry for at least 6-8 hours or overnight.
Final Touches:
After the ornament is dry, re-attach the ornament topper. You can also spray paint the topper to fit the theme of your project. Tie a string, yarn, ribbon, or fabric to the top to hang your ornament. If desired, you can also add embellishments using craft glue. Your fabric and Mod Podge plastic ornament is now ready to be displayed!
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Frequently asked questions
To add glitter to the inside of a clear plastic ornament, you will need a plastic syringe, polycrylic, and glitter. Remove the top cover of the ornament, fill the syringe with polycrylic, and gently push it into the ornament. Rotate the ornament so the polycrylic covers the entire inside. Add more polycrylic as needed. Set the ornament into a small cup to hold it in place, then add your glitter.
One easy way to decorate plastic ornaments is to use paint. You can paint the outside or the inside of the ornament. If you're painting the inside, you can add glitter to the wet paint for a touch of sparkle. Another simple method is to stick strips of washi tape to the ornament, overlapping and smoothing them as you work your way around.
If you're feeling creative, you can try making mosaic ornaments out of old CDs or crafting ornaments out of colourful feathers. You can also fill clear plastic ornaments with items such as artificial snow, buttons, or ribbons.
To decorate a plastic ornament with fabric, first, measure the ornament and cut out scraps of fabric that are about half an inch longer than the measurement. Paint Mod Podge onto the ornament in rows, then stick the fabric onto it.
