Omar Khalid
Glitter ornaments are a fun and easy Christmas craft that can be done with kids. You can use glass or plastic ornaments, but plastic is a safer option in a household with small children or pets. To make your own glitter ornaments, you'll need clear ornaments, polycrylic or an adhesive of your choice, and extra fine or chunky glitter. First, remove the top of the ornament and squirt a generous amount of adhesive inside. Gently swirl the ornament so that the entire inside is coated, then drain out the excess adhesive. Next, add your glitter and swirl the ornament to cover the inside. You can place your ornament in a cupcake liner and let it dry for about an hour. Once dry, you can decorate the outside with paint pens, acrylic paint, or vinyl.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ornament material | Plastic or glass |
| Ornament shape | Desired shape, recommended disc-shaped for vinyl decals |
| Ornament colour | Clear |
| Glitter type | Extra fine or chunky |
| Adhesive | Duraclear Gloss Varnish, Beacon's Glitter-It, polycrylic, floor polish, or glue |
| Tools | Baby medicine syringe, flexible disposable cup, popsicle stick, vinyl stickers |
| Process | Remove ornament top, add adhesive, swirl ornament to coat inside, drain excess, add glitter, swirl ornament to coat inside with glitter, cover top with paper and shake, let dry, decorate outside |
| Tips | Use hot glue to prevent glitter from escaping, use a thick enough coat of polycrylic to avoid messiness, polycrylic may change glitter colour, plastic is less shiny but more resistant to breakage |
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What You'll Learn
Use polycrylic for an even glitter coat
Filling plastic ornaments with glitter is a fun and simple craft that can be done by people of all ages. It is also a great way to create unique and personalised decorations for your home or Christmas tree. While there are many ways to make glitter ornaments, using polycrylic is the best method to achieve an even glitter coat and ensure your ornaments last through years of use and storage.
To get started, you will need a few supplies: clear plastic ornaments, polycrylic, fine glitter, a syringe or a flexible disposable cup, and a small funnel. You can find polycrylic at any home improvement store for a reasonable price, and a small can will go a long way—you can make multiple ornaments with just one can.
Once you have your supplies, follow these steps:
- Pour or use a syringe to insert polycrylic into the ornament. You want to create a thin, even coat on the inside of the ornament. Gently swirl the ornament around so that the polycrylic coats the entire inside.
- Tip the ornament upside down and let the excess polycrylic drain into a disposable cup. This step is crucial to achieving an even coat of glitter. Balance the ornament upside down to ensure the polycrylic drains out evenly.
- Use a small funnel to pour a generous amount of glitter into the ornament. You can also create custom glitter mixes by combining different colours or types of glitter in a cup before pouring it into the ornament.
- Swirl the ornament again to ensure the glitter coats the inside evenly, working your way up to the mouth of the ornament. Tap the ornament gently to remove any excess glitter.
- Allow the ornament to dry upright for about an hour. You will know your ornament is dry when the polycrylic and glitter go from slightly cloudy to clear and shiny.
- Reassemble the ornament by carefully inserting the metal top prongs into the neck. Trim longer prongs to prevent scratching the glitter inside.
By following these steps and using polycrylic, you will achieve a gorgeous, even glitter coat on your plastic ornaments. Feel free to experiment with different colours and types of glitter to create unique and personalised decorations.
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Mix fine and chunky glitters
When mixing different colours of glitter, it is recommended to use different glitter weights for the best results. For instance, you can use a fine glitter in turquoise and a chunkier glitter in blue. This will create a unique, sparkly effect with two distinct colours.
To mix fine and chunky glitters, start by removing the top of the ornament. Mix about one tablespoon of extra fine glitter with half a teaspoon of chunky glitter in a small cup. Gently pull on the hanger loop until the top pops free from the ornament. Next, squirt a generous amount of adhesive inside the ornament. Gently swirl the ornament until the entire interior surface is thoroughly coated.
Turn the ornament upside down for a few minutes to let the excess adhesive drain out. You can prop the ornament up against the adhesive bottle and let the excess drip into a small plastic cup. Alternatively, you can place the ornament upside down in an empty egg carton. Once the ornament is dry, you can add more glitter and adhesive to fill any gaps. However, be aware that the dye on the glitter could bleed if you add more adhesive.
Once you're happy with the glitter coating, let the ornament dry upright for about an hour. You can then reassemble the ornament by inserting the metal top into the neck, being careful not to scratch the inside. Finally, place the ornament upside down and gently tap it to remove any excess glitter.
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Use syringes or cups to pour in polycrylic
Filling plastic ornaments with glitter is an easy and fun craft that can be done by beginners and even older children. The use of polycrylic is recommended for making glitter ornaments as it helps the glitter coat thoroughly and evenly, and ensures the ornaments last through years of use and storage.
To fill plastic ornaments with glitter using polycrylic, you can use syringes or cups to pour in the polycrylic. Firstly, take the top off your polycrylic and gently stir it with a popsicle stick. You can then either use a syringe to directly inject the polycrylic into your clear ornaments or pour some polycrylic into a flexible disposable cup and then into the ornament. A standard-sized ornament will require approximately 3.75 mL of polycrylic.
If you are using a syringe, a leftover syringe from children's medicine can work perfectly for this project. You can also use plastic disposable pipettes, which are used with essential oils. If you are using cups, a flexible disposable cup like a Dixie cup is recommended.
Once you have poured in the polycrylic, gently swirl the ornament around so that the polycrylic coats the entire inside of the ornament. Turn the ornament upside down for a few minutes to allow any excess polycrylic to drain out. You can prop the ornament up against the cup and allow the excess to drain back into the cup, which you can then reuse for the next ornament.
After coating the inside of the ornament with polycrylic, you can fill it with glitter and tap out the excess. Let it sit for 24 hours and then add a vinyl design on the outside if desired. Depending on the kind and quality of glitter used, the dye on the glitter could bleed slightly if you add more polycrylic. You can add more polycrylic and glitter to fill any gaps once the ornament is completely dry. Your ornaments are ready to be reassembled when the polycrylic and glitter go from slightly cloudy to clear and shiny.
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Seal the ornament with hot glue
Filling plastic ornaments with glitter is a fun and easy craft that can be done with kids. It is important to seal the ornament with hot glue to prevent glitter from escaping. Here is a step-by-step guide to sealing your glitter-filled plastic ornament with hot glue:
Gather Your Materials
You will need a hot glue gun, hot glue sticks, and a safe surface to work on. It is important to use a glue gun with a low-temperature setting to avoid any burns or accidents.
Prepare Your Ornament
Before sealing, ensure your plastic ornament is completely dry. This may take an hour or longer, depending on the coating and glitter used. You will know your ornament is dry when the coating and glitter go from slightly cloudy to clear and shiny.
Apply Hot Glue
Once your ornament is dry, it's time to apply the hot glue. Place a small amount of hot glue around the lip of the ornament, where the cap will be screwed on. Work quickly, as hot glue dries fast. You can use a toothpick or similar tool to spread the glue evenly.
Secure the Cap
After applying the hot glue, quickly screw on the metal cap of the ornament. Ensure it is tightly secured. The hot glue will act as a sealant, preventing any glitter from escaping through the small gap between the cap and the ornament.
Additional Tips
If you are concerned about glitter escaping through the hanging loop, you can apply a small amount of hot glue to the inside of the cap, being careful not to use too much, as it could affect the ornament's ability to hang straight. You can also trim the wire from the top piece to prevent scratching the inside of the ornament when securing the cap.
With these steps, your plastic glitter ornament will be securely sealed, and you can enjoy its sparkle for years to come!
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Use stickers and vinyl decals
Filling plastic ornaments with glitter and using stickers and vinyl decals is a fun and creative way to make personalised gifts or decorations. You can use stickers and vinyl decals to decorate the outside of your glitter ornaments, adding a unique touch to your creations. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Prepare Your Materials:
First, gather your supplies. You will need clear plastic ornaments, fine glitter in your desired colours, polycrylic or a similar adhesive, vinyl decals or stickers, a plastic cup or container, transfer paper, and rubbing alcohol. You can find most of these materials at craft stores, especially during the holiday season.
Glitter Your Ornaments:
Start by adding a small amount of polycrylic or adhesive to your ornament. Rotate the ornament slowly to coat the entire inside, then set it upside down in a plastic cup to drain excess liquid. Once the adhesive stops draining, pour in your glitter and gently swirl it inside the ornament for even coverage. Place the ornament back in the cup to dry for about 24 hours.
Design Your Vinyl Decals:
While your ornaments are drying, you can design your vinyl decals. Use a Cricut machine or similar cutting tool to create your desired shapes or letters. You can also use pre-made stickers if you prefer. If you're using vinyl, cut slits in the transfer tape to help it adhere smoothly to the curved surface of the ornament.
Apply the Vinyl or Stickers:
Before applying your vinyl decals or stickers, clean the outside of the ornament with rubbing alcohol to remove any grease. Then, place the transfer paper over the ornament and line up your design. For vinyl, start by pressing down the centre of the decal, then work your way outwards, smoothing the vinyl carefully to avoid wrinkles. For stickers, simply peel and stick, ensuring the edges adhere well to the ornament.
Finishing Touches:
Once your vinyl or stickers are in place, you can add any additional decorations, such as ribbons or bows. If you plan to hang your ornaments, attach a hook or string at the top. Your glitter ornaments with vinyl decals are now ready to display or gift!
Remember to share your creations with others and enjoy the sparkle they bring to your holidays!
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to fill plastic ornaments with glitter is to use polycrylic. First, pour the polycrylic into the ornament, swirl it around to coat the inside, and then fill it with glitter.
You should use a finish of polycrylic that is satin and glossy. Avoid anything with a matte or flat finish as it could dull the sparkle of the glitter.
You can use both fine and chunky glitter. However, if you are using plastic ornaments, be aware that more glitter loss has been reported.
You can use hot glue to plug up the hole in the metal cap and around the lip of the ornament to prevent glitter from escaping.
