This project was sparked by the Art Elements Christmas Ornament Design Challenge. Between the inspiring projects Lesley shared in her initial post and the list of inspiring DIY ornaments I found, I was definitely inspired to create something really spectacular. In fact, I'm pretty sure I combined several of those inspirations to make my own ornament.
I adore working with old, aged, vintage, yellowed, shabby items. One of my favorite pastimes is looking for treasures to incorporate into my work. There's something about these bits and knowing they have their own history that makes me smile. Exploring other ways to use them outside of jewelry is fun too. This project gave me the opportunity to pull out a great many of my hoarded treasures and combine them into a beautiful Christmas Ornament.
It took me almost no time at all to make this ornament, so let me show you how you can too. This is a blog hop, so if you just want to hop on to see the next ornament, please scroll to the bottom of this post!
Start with these tools and materials:
Wooden Spool
Chandelier Crystal
Fiber (lace, sari silk ribbon, rick-rack, etc.)
Buttons (2)
Wire
Sheet music (or other interesting paper)
Paintbrush
Mod Podge
Scissors
Jewelry Pliers (wire cutters, round-nose pliers, chain-nose pliers)
Cut your paper down to size so it fits inside the indent of the spool.
Using Mod Podge or another medium (school glue, gel medium, etc.), glue down and seal your paper on the spool.
Cut about a foot of wire and form a loop (with your round-nose pliers) in the center of the wire.
Slip the chandelier crystal onto the wire, making sure it slides into the loop.
Twist the wire several times to secure the crystal into place.
Cut your fibers and match up their centers with the twist in the wire.
Hold the fibers into the nook of the wire so that the lace is nestled between the two pieces. Squeeze the fibers as tight as possible together and twist the wire so that the fibers will stay in place.
Slide a button onto the wire, making sure that you insert each wire end into a different hole.
Slide spool onto both wires.
Thread another button onto the wire.
Twist the wire together for a couple of inches.
Trim the wire just below where the twist ends and fold over the sharp end, pressing it against the other wire.
Curve the twisted wire on the large portion of your round-nose pliers to make a hook for hanging. You could alternatively make a closed loop and insert a ribbon or ornament hanger.
And, that's it. Your ornament is ready to hang on your Christmas tree or really anywhere.
I made a video of my process to make this romantic ornament in case these instructions just don't do it for you.
Here are a few more pictures of the ornament (please note that I actually made two different ornaments - one in the video, and one for the step-by-step pictures. The video one is the one I used for the first picture and pictures to follow.)
Now, this ornament is part of a blog hop, so here's the list of the other participants in the Art Elements Christmas Ornament Design Challenge. Go see what all these other talented designers made. I know I'm looking forward to it.
Guest Designers
Art Elements Team
Would you keep this baby tucked away especially for Christmas or would you have it out on display all the time? I'll let you decide. If you're interested, I'll give away one of these ornaments. Let me know in the comments and leave your e-mail. Alas, this is only open to US residents. I'll pull a winner on January 5th.
I sincerely hope your Holidays are magical; full of joy, love, and fun.
I've linked this post up at Saturday Sparks Link Party on Pieced Pastimes, Show and Share link Party at Coastal Charm, DIY Salvaged Junk Projects and Funky Junk Interiors, and Recipe and DIY Linky at The Sway.
Very cute ornament - you used your music paper! Nice that you included a tutorial! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Love your upcycled wooden spool ornament. Thanks for participating!
ReplyDeleteCathy, I'm so glad you like it. I had a lot of fun with this "challenge". I appreciate you hopping by! :D
DeleteYour ornaments are beautiful and original Hope - a great combination. Thank you for taking part in our challenge and happy holidays.
ReplyDeleteCaroline, Thank you so much! I'm not sure about original as I feel like I stole ideas from everywhere else. But, I think I made it my own. I had a blast participating in this challenge. I hope you have a wonderful holiday as well! :)
DeleteYour ornament looks a La Vintage. Its sweet without being too girly. Great idea using the button to stop the laces from bunching up.
ReplyDeletePS: I changed your post link on my blog to this one so there is no redirect happening. I hope that's ok
I always love seeing what you create ... and absolutely love your sense of vintage style!
ReplyDeleteIt looks so lovely! :)
ReplyDeleteReally pretty and different, I loved reading how it was created!
ReplyDeleteCaroline, Thank you! It was way easier than the pictures may make it look. It took longer to take the pictures than to make it I think! Ha! Thanks for hopping by!
DeleteGreat design idea. I love how all the different bits and pieces come together to make one sweet ornament.
ReplyDeleteTammy, Yes, I really threw a little of everything into this ornament. I just couldn't help myself. I think it worked out in the end though. Thanks for taking a peek!
DeleteHow pretty! I especially love how the little music paper looks on the spool. Really sweet!
ReplyDeleteSamantha, Thank you! It took forever to get it down to size, but it worked out beautifully. I appreciate you hopping by!
DeleteThis is beautiful! The elements you chose look like they were meant to be together! Love how it turned out!
ReplyDeleteAngela Mullis
dj2isme@aol.com
Thanks so very much! I had a lot of fun picking them out and putting it together!
Deletebeautiful, I love the music reels.
ReplyDeleteThanks Laney! Yes, the music paper seemed to work perfectly for this project. So glad you like it. :)
DeleteThe ornament is so sweet. I would love to own it! Thank you for the opportunity to win!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic way to combine all of those different elements... And oh, the fun possibilities for making more! I really like the way everything fits so well together--the bits of lace, the crystal, the button, the spool with paper. Just lovely! (If it were up to me, I'd probably leave it out all year round... But then again, I have a mini trebuchet in my kitchen, so take that for what it's worth. *grin*)
ReplyDeleteThis is so cute and clever! A great way to use up scraps. Have a Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteHow elegant. I love it. I would definitely have this out all year around I think.. lol Have a wonderful Christmas Hope.
ReplyDeleteCool ornament. I like the sheet music on them. I bet they show up really well on a tree!
ReplyDeleteDenise, Thanks so much! They do show up on my mini tree, we didn't get a read one this year because our puppy's still so rambunctious. But, I can't wait to get one next year. Please let me know if you want to be entered in the giveaway! Thanks again!
DeleteReally cute ornament, great instructions too!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Melissa! I'm so glad you like it. It means so much that you took the time to come by and take a peek. :)
DeleteVintage and romantic it is! I absolutely like it! And I know my overseas comment doesn't count for the giveaway but I still like the ornament ;)
ReplyDeleteYou come up with the most creative things! What a great use for a ton of odds and ends. :)
ReplyDeleteSarajo, You are too sweet! I really just got inspired by browsing other handmade ornaments online and grabbing what I had on hand. It worked out perfectly! I'm so glad you like it too! Thank you so much!
DeleteThe ornament turned out great! Thanks for sharing the tutorial! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteAw thanks, Lina! I appreciate you taking the time to come by and check it out!
Delete