DIY Vintage-Style Ornaments

If you love the look of vintage Christmas ornaments but can't find any around, try making them yourself such as these DIY Vintage-Style Ornaments!

This is a sponsored post for DecoArt for whom I am a Core Blogger. As always, all ideas and opinions are 100% my own.

This post contains affiliate links.

If you love the look of vintage Christmas ornaments but can't find any around, try making them yourself like these DIY Vintage-Style Ornaments!
I recently scored some adorable Christmas decorations at Hobby Lobby in colors that aren't in my normal Christmas color pallet.

The new decor has a vintage flair so there are lots of cool, pastel colors.

So I decided to make some of my own decorations to go along with them!

These DIY vintage-style ornaments are made from plain clear plastic ornaments.

All it took was the right colored paint, some fun snow-texture effect, and, of course, glitter.

Because everything is better with glitter, right?

If you love the look of vintage Christmas ornaments but can't find any around, try making them yourself like these DIY Vintage-Style Ornaments!
DIY Vintage-Style Ornaments: Supplies

Clear plastic ornaments, open in the front

Americana Multi-Surface Satin in Ballerina, Melonball, and Waterfront

Pearl beads

DecorArt Glamour Dust in Crystal

Small bottle brush trees

DecoArt Snow-Tex

DecoArt Snow Writer

 

You can shop all supplies needed for this craft project here.

 

 

I put together a quick video to show how these ornaments come together.

If you love the look of vintage Christmas ornaments but can't find any around, try making them yourself!
DIY Vintage-Style Ornaments: Pearl Ornaments

These small, plain bottle brush trees came as a set and cost barely more than a dollar.

A great price, and they can easily be dressed up.

Hot glue pearls to trees, pressing between branches so they don't stick out too much.

If you love the look of vintage Christmas ornaments but can't find any around, try making them yourself!
DIY Vintage-Style Ornaments: Paint

Paint ornaments and pearls with the Multi-Surface paint.

It will take about 4 coats on the plastic ornaments and just a couple on the pearls.

If you love the look of vintage Christmas ornaments but can't find any around, try making them yourself!
DIY Vintage-Style Ornaments: Snow-Tex

Hot glue trees inside ornaments.

Use a palette knife or a plastic knife to apply Snow-Tex to base of tree and around the bottom of the ornament.

While still wet, sprinkle Glamour Dust over snow and press lightly so it sticks.

Shake ornament to remove excess glitter.

DIY Vintage-Style Ornaments
DIY Vintage-Style Ornaments: Snow Writer

Use the Snow Writer to outline the opening on the ornaments.

Sprinkle with Glamour Dust while still wet.

Draw designs on the outside of the ornaments, styles you might find on vintage ornaments.

Draw a little bit at a time and sprinkle with Glamour Dust before the snow has a chance to dry.

When the snow is 100% dry, go back and brush off excess glitter.

DIY Vintage Christmas Ornaments
These ornaments are going to be the perfect addition to my new "vintage" Christmas decor!

I may need to make more...

DIY Vintage-Style Ornaments
The cool pastels and glittery white snow are shear vintage perfection!

And, for the record, if you haven't played with DecoArt's Snow-Tex before, it's a Christmastime MUST HAVE.

Add the look of snow to pretty much anything!

 

So have you or will you make these DIY Vintage-Style Ornaments this year?

 
siggie
>> See where I party! <<

 

This post was originally shared November, 2016.

75 Comments

  1. these clear plastic vintage style ornaments are adorable but did you paint both the inside and outside or just the inside? The instructions aren't clear and I only have a few open faced ornaments to try it on. Thanks

  2. These vintage-style ornaments are so creative and nostalgic! I can’t wait to try making some myself.

  3. these are so cute ...such a great and fun way to make a special ornament that looks like it is truely from the old days of the fine ornaments..wow great job ..thank you ....

  4. I have had quite a time of it making these because the crafting supplies have arrived damaged. The Decoart Snow Writer is too thick and is full of bubbles. Do you have any advice on how much to dilute it. It is so thick that it won"t come out of the nozzle. Thank you!

    1. Oh no! I am so sorry your supplies arrived that way! The Snow Writer is water-based so you could definitely try adding small amounts of water at a time and giving it a good stir to thin it out.

      1. Thanks so much for the prompt reply! I will definitely try that. Other than the technical difficulties I am thrilled with the way these have turned out!

        Cathy

      1. What other color would you recommend instead of the ballerina that is close in color? I can’t find it anywhere to purchase in time fir when I need it.

  5. What size glass beads did you use for the ornaments on the trees? It looks like there are a few choices at the craft store.

  6. I’m looking forward to this being our Christmas parent gift. I have looked at small bottle brush trees and was wondering what size you used. I’m gathering my supplies and want to make sure I get the correct size trees.

  7. Hi,
    I see a fourth color that you have there β€œovercast” and it’s in the picture but you didn’t mention it on the supply list? What did you use that for? I’m so excited about doing this for an upcoming craft night.

    1. I believe at the time I was taking the supplies photo I was going to do a 4th ornament in the Overcast gray color, but ultimately just used the other 3 paint colors. I think the gray would be a fun addition to the other three! Enjoy your craft night!

      1. Sorry for the late response, Meg! Yes, glue them to the trees first. It is MUCH easier than trying to handle them since them are so tiny.

    1. Hi Crhisti! The ornaments are actually open in the front. I just traced around the opening with the Snow Writer. I went back and included a link to the ornaments so you can see them.

  8. Is there any reason you didn't use spray paint for plastic? I find that using a brush leaves those dreadful brush strokes. And, spray painting is so much faster and might not need as many coats to cover.

    1. Nothing in particular, but I do like the matte look the acrylic gives the ornaments, and I tend to over spray with spray paint and get drip lines (I'm not a patient spray painter). πŸ˜‰

      1. Thanks for the answer Michele. I am painting some and will try spraying as well and I will see how it goes. I have a piece of string tied to a tree limb and that is how I spray. Of course I have to wait for a clear day - no rain! I am also waiting on some supplies I ordered to complete this project but I must say they are adorable and will make great gifts for 2019 Xmas.

        By-the-way, Merry Christmas.

        Lisa

      2. Hi
        I did painted each day to dry up but it is horrible dreadful stroke after first day and second and third day, but still awful stroke brush. I thought you mentioned multi-surface "satin" but you mentioned "matt" paint. Something do with paint brush? Is there special brush to make smooth not stroke.? I am not very good painter. Please help.
        Thank you
        Margaret

        1. Hi Margaret! I used the Multi-Surface Satin paint, but it gives overall a more matte look than the satin in the name suggests. By the 3rd or 4th coat the brush marks should not be as apparent as the first couple of layers. A sponge brush might give you more success if you're not happy with the paintbrush.

  9. I really like these colors - something fun and different from traditional red and green! Thanks for sharing these at Merry Monday. I'm going to include them in my Party Features next week!

  10. Love these vintage colours Michele. Thanks for sharing at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I'm delighted to be featuring this DIY project at tonight's party and pinning too.
    Hugs,
    Kerryanne

  11. I know this was from a couple of years ago, but these are no less cute! Someone commented on needing a heating tool for the snow writer. Can someone elaborate on this? Also I easily found everything on Amazon but the paint is much cheaper on their site!

  12. I really need to know where I can get these ornaments. I haven't seen them at Joann's or Michaels. Many years ago I found plastic Easter eggs about 3"w 5"h. They were so beautiful when they were done. I will be happy to get my hands on the Christmas ornaments and if anyone knows about the plastic Easter eggs I would love to hear from you. Thank you

  13. I'm not sure why I never saw this before now, but I love, love, LOVE these SO much! All the heart eyes! πŸ™‚

  14. Just made these and they are adorable. I found everything online as Christmas items are not in stores yet πŸ˜‰ I found using a stiff paint brush to put the snow on the inside of the ornament worked well and allowed me to 'place' the snow right where I wanted it. Every year I make an ornament for my family - A tradition for the last 20 years. This ornament will be my gift for 2017!

  15. I loved them where I saw them. Went to Joanne to get all the things I needed and started out doing them . What I didn't know was I needed a heating tool. I wish I was told before leaving the store. Never used a snow writer before.

  16. Made these and they turned out ADORABLE! I had a hard time finding the open front ornaments, though. Joan's acted as if I were crazy when I asked if they had them. ?? Hobby Lobby--nope. Amazon-nope. Finally found them on eBay.

  17. I love these! They really do look like the old style vintage ornaments that we all grew up with. The bottle brush trees look so cute inside. Did you find those at Joann's too??

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