Omar Khalid
Clear plastic ornaments are a fun and versatile item to have on hand. They can be filled with various items, such as glitter, toys, art supplies, mementos, and more, to create unique and personalised decorations. They are also a great activity for children, as they can be filled with small items for a fun motor activity and can be decorated in various ways. In this article, we will explore the different ways to fill and decorate clear plastic ornaments, as well as provide tips and tricks for sealing and displaying them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of plastic ornaments | Clear plastic ornaments |
| Fillers | Glitter, pom-poms, tinsel, dried flowers, small toys, art supplies, mementos, sheet music, photos, etc. |
| Sealing methods | Hot glue, plastic wrap, super glue, hairspray, polycrylic |
| Crafting considerations | Adult supervision for young children, using age-appropriate supplies |
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What You'll Learn
Filling plastic ornaments with glitter
Materials:
You will need clear plastic ornaments, glitter, a plastic syringe or funnel, adhesive or glue, and a small plastic cup. You can also use a medicine dropper and paper towels.
Steps:
- Remove the top cover of the ornament. If your ornament opens at the top, gently pull on the hanger loop until the top pops free. If your ornament opens in half, carefully separate the two halves.
- Prepare your glitter mixture. You can use fine glitter, chunky glitter, or a combination of both. If using adhesive, mix the glitter with the adhesive in a small cup. You can also use glitter glue, which already has adhesive properties.
- Fill your syringe or dropper with the glitter mixture or fill your funnel with glitter and place it into the ornament's opening.
- Gently squeeze the syringe or dropper to release the glitter mixture into the ornament, or pour the glitter through the funnel.
- Shake the ornament gently with your finger over the hole to distribute the glitter evenly. Add more glitter as needed.
- If using adhesive, turn the ornament upside down for a few minutes to allow excess adhesive to drain into a small cup.
- Place a paper towel over the opening and shake the ornament to coat the remaining areas with glitter.
- Once the ornament is coated, dump out any excess glitter.
- Allow the ornament to dry. You can place your finished ornaments in cupcake liners and leave them to dry for about 15-20 minutes.
Tips:
- You can use different colours of glitter to create unique designs.
- To enhance the shininess of the ornament, fill it with cut-up shiny bows or add small bells, jingle bells, or stars to the outside.
- If you want to permanently seal the ornament, run a bit of hot glue around the seam before closing it.
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Using photos and fishing line
If you're looking to repurpose plastic ornaments using photos and fishing line, here are some detailed steps to follow:
Firstly, source some clear plastic ornaments that can be filled. These can often be found at craft stores. Then, gather your photos and select the ones you want to use. Using a drinking glass as a template, cut circles out of your chosen photos. The size of the circle should match the size of the ornament. For example, a 3-inch photo circle for a 3-inch ornament.
Next, cut circles of the same size out of cardstock. You can add names, dates, or sentiments to the cardstock circles using a printer or stamps. This adds a personal touch to your ornament. After that, apply 2-3 strips of acid-free, double-sided tape to the back of each photo. Cut a piece of fishing line, fold it in half, and stick the looped end along the centre of the photo.
Now, it's time to assemble the ornament. Place the loop of the fishing line around the cardstock, so it sits at the bottom of the circle. Hold the two ends of the fishing line and stick the two circles together, sandwiching the fishing line between them. Gently roll the photo into a tube, ensuring the photo is on the outside of the roll. Slide the photo tube into the ornament, being careful not to crease or damage the photo.
Finally, secure the photo in place by threading the ends of the fishing line through the wire holes in the ornament's top. Tie the ends securely, adding knots multiple times to ensure they don't come undone. You can add a ribbon or any other embellishments to finish your ornament. Now you have a personalised, decorative keepsake!
For an alternative method, you can try the technique suggested by Carol Duvall. She placed photos on clear, sturdy plastic, rolling them up to fit inside the ornaments. She then used a bleach solution inside the ornament to remove the colouring, making it easier to see the photo. This method may require some experimentation to perfect.
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Adding dried flowers
If you're looking to add dried flowers to plastic ornaments, there are a few ways to go about it. Firstly, consider the type of flowers you want to use. Flowers with denser petals are ideal for drying as they hold their shape better. Flowers with darker or brighter pigmentation are also preferable, as their colours are less likely to fade. You can use dried flowers on their own or mix them with fresh flowers. If you're using fresh flowers, be mindful of moulding. Check on the flowers periodically and give the ornament a gentle shake to help them dry properly.
Once you've selected your flowers, it's time to start filling your ornament. Remove the top of the ornament and start dropping in your flowers. You can add different types of flowers and foliage to create contrast and volume. Layering will give your ornament dimension, but be careful not to overcrowd it. You can use tweezers to rearrange the flowers inside the ornament and make any necessary adjustments.
If you're using a clear plastic ornament, you can also add other fillers like glitter or paint to enhance the appearance. To add glitter, place the ornament in a small plastic cup and use a funnel to pour in a small amount. Gently shake the ornament to distribute the glitter, and add more as needed. For paint, use a plastic syringe to gently push a small amount inside the ornament. You can also cut out a circle of a photo and secure it inside the ornament using double-sided tape and fishing line.
Finally, you can seal the ornament to ensure the contents stay in place. A dab of super glue or hot glue around the seam will do the trick. You can also use plastic wrap for a temporary seal. Adding dried flowers to plastic ornaments is a creative way to decorate, and you can involve your grandchildren in the process, making it a fun activity for all ages.
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Painting the inside
Prepare Your Work Area and Materials:
Before you begin, make sure you have a dedicated workspace that is well-ventilated, especially if you are using spray paints. Gather all the materials you will need, including your plastic ornaments, paint, paintbrushes, cups, funnels, paper towels, and any other desired embellishments.
Remove the Toppers:
Take off the toppers or caps from your plastic ornaments and set them aside. If you plan to paint the caps as well, separate them by size and colour if necessary.
Choose Your Paint:
Select the paint colours you want to use. Acrylic paint is a popular choice for painting plastic ornaments as it is affordable and easy to work with, and comes in a variety of fun colours. You can also use metallic paint or add glitter to create sparkly ornaments.
Add Paint to the Ornament:
Place the ornament in a small plastic cup, with the opening facing downwards. This will help catch any excess paint. Add a small amount of your chosen paint colour inside the ornament. You can use a plastic syringe, a medicine dropper, or simply pour the paint directly into the ornament.
Swirl and Coat the Inside:
Swirl the ornament around so that the paint coats the entire inside. You can also gently shake the ornament with your finger over the hole to distribute the paint evenly. If you are using multiple colours, you can add them one at a time, swirling between each addition to create a marbled effect.
Remove Excess Paint:
Allow any excess paint to drip out onto a paper towel or into a paper cup. Leave the cap off overnight to ensure all the excess paint has dried. This step is important to prevent dripping and ensure an even coat.
Add Embellishments (Optional):
Before the paint dries completely, you can add embellishments such as glitter. Pour a small amount of glitter into the ornament using a funnel. Gently shake the ornament to distribute the glitter and coat the inside. You can add more glitter as needed.
Seal and Dry:
Seal the top of the ornament temporarily with plastic wrap or glue it shut if you want a permanent seal. Allow the paint and any embellishments to dry completely. You can use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process.
Display Your Creations:
Once your ornaments are dry, it's time to display them! Hang them on your Christmas tree, use them as holiday decorations, or gift them to your loved ones. Enjoy your unique, handmade creations!
Remember, you can get creative and experiment with different colours, paint types, and embellishments to make your painted plastic ornaments truly your own.
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Using them for Christmas
Plastic ornaments are a great way to decorate your home for Christmas. They are versatile, fun, and budget-friendly. Here are some ideas for using plastic ornaments for the festive season:
Filling Plastic Ornaments
Clear plastic ornaments can be filled with various items to create unique and personalised decorations. You can fill them with glitter, pom-poms, tinsel, or small toys. For a more sentimental touch, add mementos, dried flowers, or sheet music. If you want to involve children in the process, have them drop small Christmas-coloured items into the ornaments.
Painting and Embellishing
You can paint the inside of plastic ornaments to add colour and creativity to your decorations. Acrylic paint is a good option, and you can add a few drops of rubbing alcohol to prevent the paint from cracking. You can also pour paint into a small plastic cup and dip the ornament to create a thin layer of paint inside.
To embellish your painted ornaments, you can add a layer of glitter. Use a funnel to pour the glitter into the ornament, and gently shake it to distribute it evenly. Seal the glitter with Polycrylic for a shiny and long-lasting hold.
Adding Photos
For a personalised touch, you can add photos to your plastic ornaments. Cut a circle out of a photo that will fit inside the ornament. Attach double-sided tape to the back of the photo and stick it to a piece of cardstock. You can then add a loop of fishing line to hang the photo inside the ornament and secure it with ribbon or other embellishments.
Crafting with Kids
Plastic ornaments are a great way to involve children in Christmas crafting. They can fill the ornaments with items of their choice, decorate them with paint or glitter, or create unique snowmen and art pieces. It is a fun and creative activity that can become a special tradition for the family.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some creative ways to fill plastic ornaments:
- Filling them with glitter, pom poms, or tinsel.
- Adding sheet music cut into strips for a musician.
- Adding toys, art supplies, or mementos.
- Adding dried flowers.
- Adding photos.
If you want a permanent seal, you can run hot glue around the seam before closing. For a temporary seal, you can use plastic wrap.
You can decorate plastic ornaments by painting them or adding glitter.
