DIY, Holiday Creative Project, "Beautiful Baubles" , Elegant Ornaments

Elegant ornamentsdecorate within a 48 hour period. Use a solvent
"Beautiful baubles"base cleaner to clean your brushes well.
Hands-on time: Less than two hours per dozen.Eclectic paper collage; Painted glass balls are
Total time: Plus 48 hours for paint to cure.garlanded with assorted scraps of colourful and
Skill: Easy to moderate.white rice papers. Use paper bits and pieces
Cost estimate: Less than $10.00 for a dozen.leftover from other holiday projects. Apply a coat
Materials & tools:of Mod Podge over the surface of the ball.
Clear or frosted glass balls in assorted shapes andRandomly apply and layer tiny paper pieces
sizesaround the ball, leaving some areas exposed in
Vitrail and Porcelaine 150 paints byorder to see its colour. To secure the paper
Pébéocomposition into place, apply a top coat of Mod
Copper leafing and adhesive size by RenaissancePodge and let dry. Once dry apply a coat of
Foil, Detlasparkle glaze to make them glitter and glow.
Micro beadsRenaissance: Apply vertical stripes evenly spaced
Assorted beadsall around the ball with a fine point paintbrush using
Decorative wire in 22 to 25 gaugePorcelaine 150, Vermeil gold. For a majestic look
Assorted colourful and white rice papersapply rhinestones garnishes over the dried gold
Mod Podge by Plaidstripes using metal glue.
Sparkle Glaze by DeltaBaroque: Apply narrow painter's tape to create
Iridescent flakes, rhinestones, tassels, gold stringtwo stripes on the bottom half of a glass ball.
and Fun wool for decorative accentsApply adhesive sizing with soft paintbrush to the
Applicator bottles (small plastic bottles with aarea between the tape stripes. Set the ball a side
nozzle tips)to allow the adhesive to become dry and tacky
Basic tools needed; wire cutter, scissors, painter'sto the touch (15-60 minutes). Place and press
tape, a sea sponge and assorted paintbrushes,copper leaf over the adhesive medium to adhere
and metal glueto the ball. Use a clean soft brush to secure the
*(all above items are available at arts and craftleafing into place and to remove excess pieces.
supply stores)Top off with a wire length fastened around the
This year, deck the halls with beautiful ballcap, bead the ends and add a tassel.
creations in medleys of rich colours and styles.Old world: Apply adhesive sizing randomly around
Make your own holiday ornaments to add amongthe ball and follow the leafing steps as above. The
your cherished oldies and to treasure for years toleafing will only stick to the areas where the
come. Decorating the home with impressivemedium was applied. Apply a length of Terrifically
ornaments has never been easier to achieve,Tacky Tape around the center of the ball. For a
utilizing only a handful of basic craft supplies. Glassgleaming touch, sprinkle iridescent flakes over the
ball ornaments with sophistication from eclectic totape and gently pat it.
elegant designs are painted with brilliant coloursGlistening swirl: Simply dab a colour of Vitrail paint
and magnificently decorated with copper leafing,around a glass ball using a sea sponge. Once dry,
rice paper, beads, tassels and ritzed up with glitz.apply a band of rice paper with a swirl pattern at
Aside from decorating a traditional Christmas tree,the center of the ball with Mod Podge. Apply
ball ornaments make distinguished decorations toglitter glaze around the ball. Wrap a piece of
beautify an entrance, a hallway, or to grace acoloured wire around the cap of the ball and
mantel. Mixtures of solid colours or striped ballsdecorate the ends with beads.
are simply splendid displayed in tall vases, largeBeaded Rococo: Pour assorted metallic Porcelaine
bowls or incorporated into a spectacular150 paints into applicator bottles, one for each
centerpiece.different colour. Using one colour at a time,
If you live in a small space, decorating withsqueeze the bottle to release paint along the sides
ornaments is a fantastic way to add wondermentof the ball, letting some of the colours overlap and
to your décor without incorporating a hugesome areas free of drippings. Let it dry and set
tree. Smaller glass versions are perfect to jazz upfor 48 hours. Garnish the ball with a band of
tabletop trees and to create stylist floralcolourful micro beads using Terrifically Tacky
arrangements.Tape. For an elaborate cap finish use fuzzy wool
Preparing the base of the glass ornaments:and bead accents.
Prepare the glass surface for painting by washingGive older ornaments a renewed look by sprucing
the balls thoroughly with soap and water and wipethem up using the same supplies in order to blend
dry.in with your new ornaments. Each year make and
Attach a decorative string to the metal cap tipsadd new styles of ornaments to your collection.
that come with the glass balls. It makes it easierMake extra ornaments to give as gifts to friends,
to handle the balls while painting and practical toteachers and relatives.
hang them for drying on an ornament stand or aVariations;
coat rack with pegs.Ribbons and fabric remnants make fabulous
Paint the surfaces of the glass balls with a softornament embellishments. For a dazzling look use
bristle paintbrush using Vitrail paints in your choicesequins, glitter glues, and old jewellery odds and
of colours from emerald, red violet to turquoiseends. Modern and minimalist styles of ornaments
blues. I used a rich palette of crimson, brown, andcan be made utilizing materials such as clay, foils,
burnt amber. Since these are decorative itemstinsel, wire, and mesh. For special effects make
only, I used Vitrail solvent based paints becausebasic geometric shapes using textured or snow
the colours are brilliant and they don't need to bepaints. For fine details or to inscribe your dinner
heat set. Once painted hang the balls to air-dry.guests names onto a personalized ornament use
They will dry within hours and be ready toPorcelaine liners or markers by Pébéo.