Hand-Painted Ornaments: Crafting A Scenic Holiday Keepsake

Painting your own ornaments is a fun, creative project that can be done solo or with friends and family. It's a great way to unwind and spend quality time with loved ones, and it's perfect for those who want to add a personal touch to their holiday decorations without breaking the bank. With just a few simple supplies and some imagination, you can create beautiful hand-painted ornaments that will be cherished for years to come. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a beginner, the process of painting ornaments is accessible to everyone. In this guide, we'll explore the steps and techniques for painting ornaments, including choosing the right paint, preparing the surface, and adding your own unique designs. So grab your paintbrushes and let's get started!

Choose your ornament: glass, plastic, or salt dough

Glass, plastic, and salt dough are all great options for hand-painting ornaments. Each has its own unique benefits and considerations. Here's a closer look at each option:

Glass Ornaments

Glass ornaments offer a smooth and elegant surface for hand-painting. They are typically found in flattened circle shapes, which makes them easier to paint on and gives them a higher-quality feel. When choosing a glass ornament, consider the type of paint you want to use. Acrylic paint is a popular choice and can be found in various colors. Watercolor paint is also an option, especially if you prefer a softer, more delicate look. To prepare the glass surface for painting, clean it with a dry paper towel or soft cloth to ensure the paint adheres properly.

Plastic Ornaments

Plastic ornaments are versatile and lightweight, making them a great choice for crafting. They come in various shapes and textures, from classic round balls to velvet or sparkly finishes. Before painting plastic ornaments, it's a good idea to remove the cap and set it aside. You can even spray paint the cap to match your desired color scheme. When painting plastic ornaments, it's recommended to apply two coats of paint for solid coverage. After the paint is dry, you can add a coat of Mod Podge and sprinkle on flocking powder for a textured, velvet-like effect.

Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough ornaments are a fantastic option if you're looking for a more hands-on approach. Making salt dough is simple—all you need are pantry staples like flour, salt, and water. Mix these ingredients together, roll out the dough, and use cookie cutters to create your desired shapes. You can make handprint ornaments or cut out any shape you like. Before baking, remember to poke holes in the dough so you have a place to thread string or ribbon for hanging. Once the ornaments are baked and cooled, you can paint them with acrylic craft paint or washable tempera paint, depending on the age of the artists. To preserve your salt dough ornaments, you can coat them with Mod Podge or spray them with a sealer.

Each type of ornament offers a unique creative opportunity, so choose the one that best suits your project needs and artistic vision!

Pick your paint: acrylic, spray, or glitter

When it comes to painting ornaments, you have a variety of options to choose from, including acrylic, spray, and glitter paint. Each type of paint offers unique advantages and effects, allowing you to create different looks for your ornaments.

Acrylic paint is a versatile option that adheres well to various surfaces, including glass, fabric, wood, clay, metal, and plaster. It comes in a range of finishes, such as metallic, glitter, matte, and regular. When using acrylic paint, you can simply pour it into clear glass or plastic ornaments and swirl to coat the inside. You can also create a marbled effect by mixing different colours or using a marbling medium. Remember to use a small amount of paint and leave it to dry overnight.

Spray paint is another option for decorating ornaments. It can be used to transform simple clear ornaments into something more glamorous. Spray paint allows for quick and even coverage, making it ideal for base coats or creating a uniform look.

Glitter paint adds a festive and sparkling touch to your ornaments. You can use glitter paint on its own or combine it with acrylic paint for a glittery finish. To apply glitter, pour acrylic paint into your ornament and swirl to coat the inside. Then, add glitter and shake until the inside is completely covered. Remove any excess glitter by shaking it out, and let the ornament dry upside down for at least 24 hours.

You can also use a combination of these techniques to create unique and personalised ornaments. For example, you can fill clear ornaments with acrylic paint and add glitter for a sparkling effect. Alternatively, you can use spray paint as a base and add hand-painted details or glitter embellishments.

Remember to choose the paint type that best suits your desired effect and always ensure your ornaments are clean and dry before beginning the painting process.

Prepare the surface: use stencils, a Sharpie, or rubbing alcohol

Stencils are a great way to create a unique handcrafted finish on your ornament. They are easy to use and can be reused many times with simple care and proper storage. You can stencil on almost any surface, but it is important to prepare the surface before you begin. If you are stencilling on wood, use medium-fine grit sandpaper to smooth the surface and create a good base. Then, wash the wood with a cleaning solution and let it dry. For metal surfaces, wash with a cleaning solution and let it dry. If there is rust present, scrub the metal with vinegar and baking soda first to remove any loose bits. For walls and furniture, remove loose or cracked paint by lightly scraping or sanding the surface. Then, wash with a cleaning solution and let it dry. Fabric surfaces should be washed and dried without fabric softener, as this can create a barrier between the material and the paint. Finally, glass or ceramic surfaces should be washed with a cleaning solution and allowed to dry.

Another method for preparing the surface of your ornament is to use a Sharpie and rubbing alcohol. First, wipe your ornament clean with rubbing alcohol to remove fingerprints and other debris. You can then start drawing small circles of colour with the Sharpie and dropping or spraying rubbing alcohol on top. The alcohol will cause the colour to spread and become more diffuse. You can experiment with the volume of alcohol to create the desired effect. Just be careful not to add too much, or the colour will run down the sides and drip off the bottom.

Rubbing alcohol, also known as isopropyl alcohol, is a versatile and effective option for preparing surfaces for painting. It is a colorless liquid commonly used as a disinfectant and cleaning agent. Its fast-drying and degreasing properties make it ideal for removing grease, grime, and dirt from surfaces, ensuring proper adhesion of the paint. Rubbing alcohol is safe to use on various materials, including metal, plastic, and wood. However, it is important to test it on a small, inconspicuous area first, as some surfaces may be sensitive to rubbing alcohol. Always work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling the fumes.

Painting techniques: shake, swirl, or squeeze

Painting techniques vary depending on the desired effect. Here are some methods to try when painting ornaments:

Shake

This technique is perfect for creating abstract swirl effects. First, squeeze a small amount of craft paint into a container and add water. Shake well to mix. For a more textured look, you can add baking soda to the paint. You can also try this method with clear ornaments—simply add some paint, shake, and swirl. If you want to add more than one colour, pour the paint in one at a time and gently blow through a plastic straw to blend the colours.

Swirl

Swirling paint can create beautiful, vibrant effects. Choose a few acrylic colours and blob thick amounts onto your surface. Using a circular motion or a swipe technique, blend the colours together with a brush. You can also try the multi-colour swirl technique by squeezing stripes of alternating colours next to each other and using a hair comb to create swirls.

Squeeze

Squeezing paint directly from the bottle can give you more control over the amount and placement of paint. This technique is useful when creating swirls, as you can squeeze the paint directly onto your surface in the desired pattern.

Finishing touches: add ribbon, jingle bells, or baking soda

Once you've painted your ornament, it's time to add some finishing touches! Here are some ideas and instructions for adding ribbon, jingle bells, or baking soda to your hand-painted ornament:

Ribbon

Adding a ribbon to your ornament is a simple way to add some extra colour and texture. You can use any type of ribbon you like, such as a thin satin ribbon or a wider grosgrain ribbon. Simply tie the ribbon in a knot at the top of the ornament, leaving enough length to form a loop for hanging. You can also add a bow to your ribbon for a trendy touch. If you don't have time to add ribbon before putting your ornaments on display, you can always add them when you take your ornaments out of storage for next year.

Jingle Bells

Jingle bells are a festive way to add some extra cheer to your ornament. You can attach the bells to your ornament with hot glue, or thread them onto a pipe cleaner and secure them with a twist. If you're using pipe cleaners, bend the cleaner in half and twist to form a loop for hanging, then thread the bells onto the cleaner and secure them with twists. You can add as many bells as you like, and even create a cluster of bells at different heights.

Baking Soda

Baking soda can be used to create homemade ornaments or to add a snowy texture to your painted scene. To make baking soda ornaments, combine baking soda, cornstarch, and water in a saucepan, whisking until the mixture resembles velvety milk. You can also add scented oils and food colouring if desired. Cook the mixture over medium heat, constantly whisking, until it thickens into a paste. Remove from heat and transfer to a plate to cool. Once cool, knead the dough and sprinkle with cornstarch if it's too sticky. Shape the dough into your desired ornament shape, then dry overnight using the air-drying or oven-drying method.

Frequently asked questions