DIY Super Easy Opaque Glass Painted Ornaments {Blue Christmas}
I will show you how to make these easy glass painted ornaments that are opaque!
Well when you see these DIY Super Easy Opaque Glass Ornaments you might be wondering if I got my holiday seasons mixed up. But no, I tell ya; I love blue. It has loooooooong been my favorite color. It goes with everything. And why not use it at Christmas? It pairs beautifully with the more traditional colors of red and green or if a cooler palette is more your thing it works amazingly well with white and silver. Even try a soft blue with shimmering gold. Stunning. Really, blue is such a transitional colour and can work in so many décor styles. So give it a shot. Blue for Christmas.
Materials needed:
– clear glass ornaments (the ones I used are actually glass-look plastic ones from Walmart – much less breakable for my 3 year old) – I used a 6/pk size and 9/pk size
– craft paint (I think you could really use any kind of paint… leftover wall paint, leftover spray paint… whatever you have)
– ribbon for hanging them
These are so easy I only did a picture tutorial. Check ‘er out:
Okay, seriously. That is it. And they are soooo pretty! I went with different shades of blue and turquoise but you could really do them in any colour you choose. I love the way they look with the color from inside rather than ornaments that are sprayed on the outside (of which I have plenty as well- but I much prefer these).
But I am loving them… so much so that after I saw it all set up I didn’t have the heart to put it away… and so the fun Christmas holiday decorating begins.
I have a few bloggy friends trying their hand at the whole Blue Christmas thing today as well- head over to their blogs to see what types of blue ornaments they have crafted up. So I bet after you see all their creativity you just might be convinced about blue at Christmas.
Amy at The Blissful Bee
Sarah at Life on Virginia Street
Amber at Averie Lane
Rachel at Maison de Pax
Amy at Commona My House
Briana at Sweet Dreams Are Made of These
What is your favourite color scheme for Christmas? Do you like the traditional red and green? Do you use blue? Or do you prefer neutral whites and creams? Or how about gold and silver; sparkles and glitter?
Thanks for reading. And remember my housie friends, HOME isn’t built in a day. Enjoy the journey!
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OMG! So simple yet so elegant looking! Thank you for Krista. I will try making these this year for my Christmas decoration.
Wow! I’m always coming across used Christmas ornaments (sometimes new too) at yard sales. I actually think I could do this!. Thanks
Just make sure that you leave them long enough to dry before you recap them! Good luck with your project!
Hello,
I tried this tutorial, and shortly after hanging all of my ornaments on the tree (after drying them, of course), all of the pain began to separate on the inside. Any ideas why this would be?
The best way I have found out thru trial and error. Use a liquid floor cleaner, ie: Mop & Glow, Pledge Liquid Floor cleaner. pour a small amount in your ornament and shake & roll to cover all the inside. Pour out any left over. Let it drip over a cup or container till excess is gone. Now you can add your paint, whichever colour you please. Do the Same Roll it and let drip out excess over a cup, bowl whatever you may have. The paint adheres to the floor polish much better, no idea why but that is what they do.
Thanks for this great tip! I haven’t made these for a few years – but I’m going to add this info into the post and also try it again this year!!
So how do you keep the paint from separating and creating openings in the paint when drying? We used glass ornaments, liquid acrylic paint, kept the tops off for about 2 weeks to allow drying time & some had a few gaps in the paint which we were able to fill with excess paint on the inside or adding a little more. Most were fine until I hung them on the tree. Now every ornament has gaps in the paint. We tried using rubbing alcohol first with some ornaments as I had seen on Pinterest and others we didn’t but with or without alcohol, they all separated. So disappointed because they were beautiful. Any tips to prevent the paint separation/cracking?
Oh Debby! That is heartbreaking! I had a few spots where I hadn’t let the paint dry properly before hanging my ornaments where the paint dripped down and left a less-opaque spot but it was easily masked with more paint. I wonder if the separation could be due to some chemical process used in making the glass balls that you purchased? Or just the fact that they are real glass? I used faux glass balls (so, really, plastic) so maybe it adhered better to the plastic?? I think I need to do some more research to answer your question properly because I am not sure how to help you – so sorry! I will do some research and see what I can uncover:(
Hi Krista, thanks for the fun idea! I made these 6 days ago and they still are not drying?! I used the same new Martha paints. They still look great, but I’m afraid that if I just cap them it could cause mold. Any tips or has anyone else had this problem?
So I made these last year and a few days after they dried, the paint cracked and separated. I even used some of the Martha satin paints. Wondering if anyone else had this problem? I was just glad this happened before I gave them away as gifts!
Hi Amanda! Oh no, that is so unfortunate!! I found that one of mine has a small spot like that but the rest still look fine. But I did end up using faux glass ornaments (they are really plastic I think) rather then real glass. I wonder if that would make a difference?? I have had a few of my DIY gift ideas go wrong before after I have already given them away so I know the feeling!! (like the sharpie mugs when I didn’t use an oil sharpie so it all washes off eventually – now at least I know the trick to that one!!).
Those are so pretty Krista! 🙂 I am doing a nautical (blues, teals and whites) tree/dec in one room this year and traditional reds, etc in another! (I think anyway, everything is always subject to change until it’s done!lol)
Hope you are having a great week so far!
xo
Nancy
Oooh the nautical blue scheme sounds very cool and unique – and I love a traditional scheme too. I haven’t gotten mine figured out quite yet- I know what you mean about it always being subject to change (like, even once you think it is done?? lol). Have a fabulous weekend Nancy!!
I’ve done all blue and silver for Christmas in years past. It is very pretty and absolutely festive, in my opinion! I need to get some of these plastic glass-look bulbs. Love the way these look, but we glass ornaments are no-go around here too. 🙂
Ooooh I love blue and silver- I have done that before too. In fact that was the scheme at our first house our first Christmas married about 12 years ago now!! See- blue is a classic!! The faux glass ornaments were just from Walmart. Much safer for us too!
I love blue too 🙂 you did a lovely job with these; so pretty! & yep, I love blue and gold very much! I am mixing these two colors for Christmas this year 🙂
Thanks Ingrid- blue and gold is such a pretty combination too!
this is such a fun and cute idea! love the idea of a blue Christmas!
Thanks Shannah – I love blue… and think it can integrate with every season! Thanks for your visit:)
I am in love with these ornaments. I love blue too and want to incorporate it more into my holiday decor this year. I am definitely trying this. I hope you will come and link this up tomorrow night at my link party that opens at 8pm EST. http://diybydesign.blogspot.com
Thanks Judy!! I always try to make it to your fab party. So thrilled you came to visit!!
These are absolutely beautiful! I’d love if you’d link up to The DIY’ers. http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-diyers-38.html
Thanks Kayla!! I’d love to:)
OMG, they are!!!!! Love it Krista! This I could do, maybe next year, since I already finished my tree this year! Thanks for sharing dear!
Wow- already finished your tree! Amazing. I can’t wait to get started on the rest of our Christmas decorating but we usually get a real tree so I have to wait a while for that.
I adore these colors! My entire downstairs is in shades of blue, orange and green… these would look perfect on my tree this year!
Hi Amy- I love the blues/teals/aquas too. Mixed with a little red and green for Christmas of course. Sounds like you have a very fun color scheme going on!
I love this idea! Great way to customize your Christmas decorations to coordinate with the rest of your decor. I might have to try this out 🙂
Totally Lusine- and I love the glow of them being painted from the inside instead of on the outside. A really pretty effect.
FABULOUS IDEA!! I love it! I am wanting to add a pop of turquoise this year to my decor… I cannot wait to try this! Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you Jeanne! I hope it works out perfectly for you- thanks for your visit!!
Oh gorgeous! I love how you gave the whole display an ombre look. Beautiful!
Thanks Kelly!! I loved the ombre effect of it too. So thrilled you came to visit!!
Hmmm, I had a feeling blue was your favorite color. You know, with the main color of your blog and all :).
I always love simple designs and the simplicity of these ornaments are what make them gorgeous. All eyes on blue! Love them, Krista!
Ya, I’m not really good at hiding my blue-love am I? lol. Thanks Amy- I think these little ornaments could look great in any colour- maybe I will have to stretch outside of my blue comfort zone!!
My house is blue, white, and yellow and I am totally doing this!!! I love how simple and so pretty!
It is simple and pretty and so nice to choose your own shades and colours! Thanks so much for your visit and comments!!
Love the blue and the ornaments! Next time, try doing them with 2 shades of blue in one globe for a marbled look.
That is a great idea- I will definitely have to try that!!
I always incorporate blue in my Christmas decor – it’s my happy color! Your ornaments turned out great.
Thank you Carrie! I agree, blue has such a calm happy feel to it – must be the ocean/beach connection:) Or blue skies and summertime!
Krista, well done – I just love your blue ornaments – gorgeous colours and what a fabulous (and easy-looking) project. I would never have thought to do that – but they are perfect. I have done blue/silver for Christmas before, and just LOVED it! Looking forward to more of your Christmas ideas 🙂
Thanks Petra! I actually think they really do look better in person. I keep catching myself stopping to gaze at them in the entry hall. I love the colors too- I think I need to make some more for our main tree. I love blue and silver and have done that scheme too- I do also love my red and white so I think that will find its way into the mix again this year. I have some serious Christmas crafting ahead of me the next couple of weeks- feeling pretty excited about some of the projects!! Have a great weekend:)
BEAUTIFUL! I’m seriously obsessed with those shades of blue
Hi Gina! I am too- I think I need to make some more of these ornaments for our ‘big’ tree, I really love the opaque look – I was truly surprised at how much. Thanks so much for your visit and comments!!
OK Yes, I’m totally going to do this with my nieces…they look so great Krista! Love it when it’s that easy and looks so flawless…great idea!
They would be a great project to do with kids as well- especially girls… I think my boys just might squirt the paint all over the kitchen. They really turned out well- can’t wait to make some more. I got those balls at Walmart (the ones I bought at Michaels were actually glass and would probably work too but aren’t three-year-old proof.
Loving this! Using the plastic ornaments is a great idea for kids!
Exactly Amber! Just today I swept up a glass ornament that my three year old had broken. I am glad these ones are not breakable!!
I love the different shades of blue … so pretty!
Thanks Mary! I am thrilled with how they came out, and they were seriously incredibly easy. Have a great weekend!
These are so beautiful!! I love how they turned out:)
xo, amy
Thank you Amy!!
I seriously almost did the exact same thing. But then I got lazy 😉 LOVE how yours turned out – you make it look so easy!
Hi Sarah! Well, I tried faux mercury glass in blue first but the color of spray paint I used looked super washed out, so this was actually a last minute change. I love how they came out though and want to make some more. They were so easy and fast- I literally did the project and photographed it all in about an hour. Perfect for a busy day!
There are several color schemes I want to use for Christmas this year and this is one of them. My Mr is a die hard red/green Christmas kind of guy but I think I can sway him with these.
I love red and green too Sandra- I will definitely be mixing my blue in with those more traditional colors. Its not like it is ever very neutral around here – so the more colors the merrier:) I have done red/green/turquoise the last couple of years and really liked it. These ornaments should fit in perfectly! Have a great weekend!
Pretty! I like the variations of blue. I’ve created similar ornaments but mixed colors of paint (you can see them on my blog, thebrickbungalow.blogspot.com). Now I want to do all blue, it’ll look great for my son’s room once I buy him a tree.
That is such a great idea Megan! My boys would love to have their own little tree – and these would be perfect because they aren’t breakable! I will hop over to check your version out!!
I do a blue Christmas too. I’ve been collecting blue Santa’s for 40 years. They are hard to find but it keeps my collection small. Thanks for the idea of painting the inside of the clear balls. I will try it.
Wow Elaine- I bet you have some really beautiful ones. I love the wintery feel of the blue… I can imagine it on Santas. This project was so easy- you are bound to be thrilled with the results!
Krista, I love the blue ornaments! I like adding blue to red, white and silver. Love how easy these are to make and thanks for sharing! Have a happy Friday!
Hi Cindy! Thank you! I don’t do solid blue either- I have mixed red and green with turquoise the last few years and really like the effect. Can’t wait to get the rest of my Christmas décor out now! Have a great weekend:)
Your blue ornaments are so pretty Krista! I haven’t gone blue yet, I think I need to dedicate a room for it though… hmmm… thanks for the idea and for your tutorial!
Hi Heather!! I mix blue in with my red and green, but dedicating a room or true to a blue scheme is a great idea too!! Have a fabulous weekend:)