DIY, Holiday Creative Project,

le>base cleaner to clean your brushes well.
Elegant ornamentsEclectic paper collage; Painted glass balls are
“Beautiful baubles”garlanded with assorted scraps of colourful and
Hands-on time: Less than two hours per dozen.white rice papers. Use paper bits and pieces
Total time: Plus 48 hours for paint to cure.leftover from other holiday projects. Apply a coat
Skill: Easy to moderate.of Mod Podge over the surface of the ball.
Cost estimate: Less than $10.00 for a dozen.Randomly apply and layer tiny paper pieces
Materials & tools:around the ball, leaving some areas exposed in
Clear or frosted glass balls in assorted shapes andorder to see its colour. To secure the paper
sizescomposition into place, apply a top coat of Mod
Vitrail and Porcelaine 150 paints by PébéoPodge and let dry. Once dry apply a coat of
Copper leafing and adhesive size by Renaissancesparkle glaze to make them glitter and glow.
Foil, DetlaRenaissance: Apply vertical stripes evenly spaced
Micro beadsall around the ball with a fine point paintbrush using
Assorted beadsPorcelaine 150, Vermeil gold. For a majestic look
Decorative wire in 22 to 25 gaugeapply rhinestones garnishes over the dried gold
Assorted colourful and white rice papersstripes using metal glue.
Mod Podge by PlaidBaroque: Apply narrow painter’s tape to
Sparkle Glaze by Deltacreate two stripes on the bottom half of a glass
Iridescent flakes, rhinestones, tassels, gold stringball. Apply adhesive sizing with soft paintbrush to
and Fun wool for decorative accentsthe area between the tape stripes. Set the ball a
Applicator bottles (small plastic bottles with aside to allow the adhesive to become dry and
nozzle tips)tacky to the touch (15-60 minutes). Place and
Basic tools needed; wire cutter, scissors,press copper leaf over the adhesive medium to
painter’s tape, a sea sponge and assortedadhere to the ball. Use a clean soft brush to
paintbrushes, and metal gluesecure the leafing into place and to remove
*(all above items are available at arts and craftexcess pieces. Top off with a wire length
supply stores)fastened around the cap, bead the ends and add
This year, deck the halls with beautiful balla 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 needpaints. For fine details or to inscribe your dinner
to be heat set. Once painted hang the balls toguests names onto a personalized ornament use
air-dry. They will dry within hours and be ready toPorcelaine liners or markers by Pébéo.
decorate within a 48 hour period. Use a solvent