Once we set up our new crystal white spruce Christmas tree and added our vintage glass ball ornaments and the ones that we’ve collected over the years, I felt like we needed to all some solid colored ornaments to fill-in the empty spaces. I looked around at a few stores but couldn’t find the mint green hue I was looking for so I decided to DIY them. I made some paint filled ornaments in just the right minty hue.
In about 15 minutes (plus drying time) I had a set of mint green glass ornaments that are the perfect complement to our white tree. These ornaments are so easy to make and cheap too that they would make great, affordable gifts. You create a set of ombre ornaments for a monochromatic look or create a set in your friend’s favorite color. They would also make fun gift toppers and Christmas decorations too. I’m thinking of making another set to use in a bowl for some simple centerpiece.
Supplies:
– set of clear glass ornaments
– acrylic craft paint in any color(s) you want
– paper towel or scrap paper to place the ornament on while it dries
Gather your supplies and carefully remove the tops of all the glass ornaments. Fill each ornament with about 1 tablespoon of craft paint. Rotate the ornament so the paint covered the entire inside. You may need to shake the ornament a bit or even add a little more paint to cover the entire surface. Then place the ornament upside down on a paper towel or scrap piece of paper and allow it dry completely before replacing the metal top.
I found that when you used a lot of paint it not only extends the drying time, it also drips a lot of paint white it dries.
Need some last minute gift ideas and holiday decor ideas? Check out all my Christmas themed posts here. It’s not too late to buy some great Christmas decorations.
This post is sponsored by Wayfair. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks so much for supporting the brands that keep this blog going.
I love doing my own ornaments like this. I started a few years ago and have been slowly filling my white tree with bulbs in just t he right shades of mint, chartreuse, and aqua.
thank you so much for showing me how to do it. I can never find the real color I want. and your instructions were so clear I think anyone could understand
You’re so welcome!
Tried this, but had cracking occur at the top of the ornaments….any tips for avoiding that?
I would recommend allowing them to dry overnight before replacing the metal tops. I also had perfect results with the Martha Stewart craft paint, I would give that brand a try!
You are right! These are the perfect shade! What colors did you use?
Hi Ashleigh, I used the Martha Stewart multi-surface craft paint in Pea Shoot and Craft Smart (available at Michael’s) in Ocean Breeze.
These colors are exactly what I’m looking for. Can you please share which Martha Stewart colors you used? I’m looking at Beach Glass and Surf.
I used the Martha Stewart multi-surface craft paint in Pea Shoot and Craft Smart (available at Michael’s) in Ocean Breeze.
I’ve tried this several times and just don’t have any luck with this DIY. When I pulled out the ornaments I made last year, the paint was all peeled off on the inside and laying in a clump at the bottom of the ornaments. Do you do any type of prep work on the ornaments before you add the paint so that it sticks permanently?
Hi Margo. I just unpacked my ornaments from last year and they still look great. What brand paint did you use? I used Martha Stewart satin craft paint for all of mine and found it to work great. Perhaps the paint you used was a little too thin? Best of luck!
wondering if this would work with plastic balls – what do you think?
Hi Heather! I haven’t tried it with plastic ornaments but I think it should definitely work!
I love your ideas. Beautiful yet simple. Thank you
Someone told me to mix the paint with water ? Yes or no? Thank you !
Yes, that would thin the paint and make it coat the glass.
I am painting glass ornaments with white paint I left them upside overnight and some of them have streaked or you can see the glass through them. What am I doing wrong? I have used Anita’s paint and the craft smart paint. Thank you!!
Hi Meghan, I found that would happen with “cheaper” craft paint. I’ve always had the best results with Martha Stewart multi-surface craft paints. They seem to adhere to glass really well, without streaks. Good luck!
I am trying to achieve a really see through type look…like the sky to put sand and shells in for a beach look. What would you recommend to get a very diluted look?
Thank you for this DIY!!!
Fun! I’d test using glass paint to get a water-like look. I’ve used Martha Stewart Crafts glass paint before (go for a translucent color) and had great results.
How do you prevent the paint from coming off in the inside. Only on a few it’s like it dropped and came off ?
I found that only happened when I used cheaper brands of craft paint. I had great success with the Martha Stewart Multi-Surface paint by Plaid; it completely covered the entire ball.
To all of those with paint streaking, first rinse the inside of the glass with rubbing alcohol and let it dry. The alcohol will clean the bulb, so the paint sticks better. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!
Wonderful tip, thank you for sharing!
Thank you! I couldn’t find hunter green balls this year so tried this. They were beautiful for about a week. When I looked at them, the paint was streaking in various places. I redid them with the same results (using the same paint each time as it was the only brand in the color I wanted, but it wasn’t the cheapest brand on the shelf). I will try again this summer and rinse the inside of the balls with alcohol first.
My paint won’t dry? I let it upside down to drain any excess still wet several days later ?
Hmm, I’m not sure why it’s not drying. You want to make sure you used acrylic paint or craft paint. Perhaps it’s just on extra thick and needs additional drying time?
I have found that if I leave the ornament dry for 24 hours right side up, the turn upside down for 2 days, then right side up again for 2-3 more days they dry perfectly and the colors don’t run together as much. This is why I’m starting in February to get all finished by Christmas.