Jewelry Making

DIY Jewelry, Beads And Patterns

Handmade Ornament Inspirations

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Christmas ornaments made from repurposed CDs and used holiday cards.

As I’ve been working on my entry for Michaels Dream Tree Challenge, I realized many of my most cherished ornaments are ones that have been handmade and given to me as gifts or personalized ornaments that I’ve made myself. Here’s a round-up of some of my favorite ideas.

1. Upcycled CDs

I love to receive beautiful holiday cards and really hate to throw them out. One way to keep, display and enjoy them is to make ornaments using old compact disks and ModPodge. Another way to make recycled CDs into ornaments is to use rubber stamps, scrapbook paper and embellishments.

Make ornaments from old CDs with holiday cards and Mod Podge.

Make ornaments from old CDs with holiday cards and Mod Podge.

Create ornaments from upcycled CDs using scrapbook paper, rubber stamps and embellishments.

2. Felt and fabric ornaments

Fabric scaps, buttons and ribbon make pretty and colorful ornaments.Needlework Editor Denise Felton created this beautiful ornament with fabric scraps, ribbon and a colorful button.

Felt and beaded ornament

Denise Felton's beaded heart felt ornaments.These plush felt beaded heart ornaments were also created by Denise.

Felt horse head ornament with googly eyes. My Aunt Donna created this felt ornament way back in the early ’70s!

Taco Eve ornament made of felt.One of our family traditions is to celebrate Christmas Eve with a taco feast. We affectionately call this tradition “Taco Eve.” Here’s an ornament I made of felt, foam and tiny red jingle bells.

Pieces I used to assemble my felt Taco Eve ornament.

3. Crochet Ornaments

In addition to pretty snowflakes and wreaths my Grandma Ila used to crochet, she and I once collaborated to make these most cherished heirloom ornaments.

Victorian style crochet ornament covers

Victorian style crochet ornament covers

Victorian style crochet ornament covers

Victorian style crochet ornament covers

Victorian style crochet ornament covers

4. Paper ornaments

Paper ornament cut using a Wishblade and paper punches.

Scrapbook supplies make wonderful ornaments. This beauty was designed by Sewing Editor Anne Weaver. The hollow ornament was cut using a Wishblade, stamped, assembled and embellished with punched paper.

tiny paper take out box ornament
Created by Lisa Bylander, this tiny take out box was hand stamped and assembled.
Coin envelope ornaments designed and handpainted by Graphic Artist Jann Bell.These exquisitely hand-painted ornaments are made from coin collecting envelopes, vellum and tiny braided cord. Designed and created by Graphic Artist Jann Bell, these ornaments are particularly beautiful when illuminated by the tree lights.

Another of Jann's beautiful hand painted coin envelope ornaments.

Detail of Jann's hand painted snowman with crystal blue eyes.

5. Salt Dough

Antique salt dough ornaments

These ornaments have been retired from duty but are a testament to how hardy salt dough is. These examples were made in the 80s!

Salt dough Taco Eve ornament

Another Taco Eve ornament. Get the recipe for salt dough and my tutorial for wearable holiday cheer!

Salt dough ornaments

Salt dough ornament

salt dough ornament

salt dough ornament

salt dough ornament

salt dough ornamentCookie cutters + salt dough = endless possibilities.

salt dough ornament

Salt dough can also be used to hand build thin 3D shapes.

What are your favorite handmade ornaments?

 

Comments

  1. Fantastic ideas, but I absolutely love your crochet ornaments! Beautiful! I’d love to try making them to give as Christmas gifts. Thanks for sharing. 🙂

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Book Review Wednesday: 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids

This week’s Book Review Wednesday pick is 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids, and I’ll admit this one is another of those books that makes me pause for a moment and ask, “Does this belong in Jewelry Making, Kids Crafts, or somewhere in between?”

Technically, it is not jewelry in the traditional necklace-and-earrings sense, but it is very much a beading book, and beading skills are such a useful doorway into jewelry making. For kids especially, learning how to thread beads, follow patterns, work with wire, and build little 3D shapes is a brilliant way to develop patience, fine motor skills, and confidence with craft materials.

The cover promises 3D beaded animal crafts for kids, with a focus on cute seed bead animals made with wire. The little fox on the cover is exactly the sort of project that catches attention — bright, cheerful, and very giftable. I can see this being a fun book for crafty kids, tweens, grandparents crafting with children, or even adults who secretly enjoy tiny beaded animals but pretend they are “helping the kids.”

What I like about this type of project is that it gives children a finished piece they can actually be proud of. These are not throwaway crafts. A beaded animal can become a bag charm, keychain, desk buddy, zipper pull, ornament, or little handmade gift. And if you have a child who loves collecting small things, well, prepare yourself — you may soon have an entire zoo made from seed beads.

There is also a nice connection here for beginner jewelry makers. Working with beads and wire in a simple 3D form helps build the same kind of careful hand skills used in beaded jewelry, wire wrapping, charms, and small accessories. So while I would be tempted to cross-post this over on our Kids Crafts section, I still think it earns its place here for anyone wanting beginner-friendly beading projects.

This book would suit kids who already enjoy detailed crafts, families looking for screen-free creative projects, or makers who want small bead projects that are playful rather than overly serious. I would suggest adult help for younger children, especially because seed beads and wire can be fiddly, and nobody needs a craft session ending with beads in the carpet forever. Although, let’s be honest, that may happen anyway.

My Shellie-style take? 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids looks like a fun, colourful and practical beading book for young makers who like cute projects with a real finished result. It is crafty, giftable, a little bit nostalgic, and a lovely stepping stone into more detailed beadwork and jewelry making later on.

You can find the book here: 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids.