Looking for an easy (and elegant) Christmas DIY? These DIY Velvet Christmas ornaments are so pretty (and so easy to make).
// set of plastic ornaments //
I don’t know what has gotten into me.
But buckle up, buttercup—I think you need to put your Christmas seatbelt on.
Maybe it’s the new shop?
Maybe it’s all the crafting and creating and general creating going on here at Thistlewood.
Maybe it’s all the inspiration from all the new makers that we’ve found.
But I have so many new ideas and projects and new decor styles (Ralph Lauren Christmas, I’m looking at you). I just figured out the cutest bow hack for the Christmas tree using plaid wreath sashes and painting an entire forest of trees on these wood triangles and creating an entire vintage village for my mantel. I’m DIYing almost everything so we can all decorate together on a budget.
My goal?
It’s to inspire you and encourage you and give you clever ideas that cost less than a cup of coffee (and I know what I’m talking about when it comes to coffee).
Like the project I’m sharing today.
I took these plastic ornaments and turned them into something that looks like it came from Downton Abbey.
The elves would be proud.
How to Make DIY Velvet Christmas Ornaments
supplies:
baking soda
chip paint brush with soft bristles
brown velvet ribbon (already made into bows)
1. Start with plastic ornaments
First of all—can we discuss how cute the velvet ornaments are? I wasn’t sure how they were going to turn out, but they are SO EASY to make and they look so high-end.
The entire project starts with these plastic ornaments. I like this size. They measure 3.15″, which is a very generous size for an ornament.
The topper is removeable and easy to take in and out.
Start by removing the top of the ornament.
(total aside: someone suggested painting these gold to match the monogram seal and that’s a brilliant idea).
2. Paint the plastic ornaments
Next, you want to paint the ornaments.
I learned a lot about this step—you can learn from my mistakes.
The picture above is one coat of paint. I thought one coat of paint would work. Ummm. Nope. See those streaks? You can see them through the velvet layer. You’ll need two coats.
Paint one coat and let the ornament dry. I used the end of a wooden utensil to hold the plastic ornament so I didn’t get paint all over my hands.
Also—I used a wooden plate rack to let them dry.
Use basic acrylic craft paint. I used a brown and a gray for these ornaments.
You probably already have brown craft paint—but I found a GREAT deal on the paint here.
You can see the gray craft paint here.
3. Sprinkle baking soda
As soon as you paint the second coat—before it dries, you’ll want to sprinkle baking soda on the wet paint. Make sure to completely cover the ornament with a good coat of baking soda.
I used a spoon and a bowl of baking soda to sprinkle the baking soda on the ornament.
Your ornament will look like this picture when you finish sprinkling it.
Make sure to tap the excess baking soda off before you let it dry.
Let the ornament dry for 2-4 hours.
4. Brush off baking soda
After the paint and the baking soda are completely dry, take a soft-bristle brush (I just used a basic paint brush) and brush off the excess baking soda.
I wish I had taken a picture of me brushing it off, but I forgot.
After you brush off all the baking soda, it will reveal a soft velvet finish underneath. It’s a little softer and lighter than your original paint color, so I suggest choosing a paint color that’s slightly darker than the color you want to end up with.
Here’s a brush similar to the one I used.
At this step, you can seal in the velvet finish if you want with a water-based sealer.
// gold glue sticks / sealing wax stamp //
5. Use hot glue to make a monogram seal
Now you’re ready to make the monogram seal.
Guess what I made these with?
GOLD GLUE STICKS.
Did you even know it was a thing?
You just load the glue sticks into the glue gun and glop it onto a hard surface, and then press the monogram into the center.
Couple of quick tips:
- once you use gold glue in a glue gun, you are kind of committed, so make sure you have an extra glue gun that you are okay with it turning gold
- these make the cutest ornament toppers or present toppers and look so FANCY
- make sure to let the monogram press set up in the glue for about 30 seconds before you remove it
- let the “seal” dry thoroughly before you peel it off the plate
- you can see the gold glue sticks here
- you can see the monogram press here
// brown velvet bows // gold glue sticks // sealing wax stamp //
6. Finish putting together ornaments
Replace the top.
Using the glue gun, place a drop of gold glue in the center of the ornament, glue the sealing wax monogram to the ornament.
Then glue a brown velvet bow to the top of the ornament.
You can see the brown velvet bows I found here.
You could also use a brown velvet ribbon to hang the ornament.
That’s it.
Don’t they look so fancy?
Have you ever made sealing wax stamps like this before?
Wouldn’t they be so cute on Christmas cards, too?
And the best part?
We are JUST getting started. 🙂
// plaid ribbon //
PS Look at this that I found? Isn’t it the perfect Ralph Lauren Christmas ribbon?
You can see it here.
// brown velvet ribbon here //
And if you make the velvet ornaments? Look at what I found at Walmart to match for the tree.
You can see this brown velvet ribbon here.
// cream velvet ribbon //
And this cream velvet ribbon here.
Happy creating. 🙂
disclosure: affiliate links are used in this post.
I have been searching everywhere for a certain color of ornaments for my she shed tree. This is the solution! Thanks for sharing!
I too am working on my Christmas tree idea. I just need 48 hours a day to accomplish your ideas and mine. :) Love Love the balls and the wax initial stamp. Did you glue the lil bows on your finished ornaments? It appears so.
Ooops! I left out that step! I'll add it to the post!
KariAnne this is spectacular! I am doing plaid this year also. I have kittens and have been making ornaments they can't break! Love to see your ideas. I used our clan names made from wood and am hanging them from velvet ribbon. I also made some 'hoop' plaid ornaments. So simple. You use embroidery hoops and cut plaid fabrics and voila! You can add to them or leave them plain. I am having a ball crafting this year. I can't wait for the rest of your ideas.
Wowza! You are genius!! I LOVE these Karianne!! How cute would they be as a gift topper tied with thin velvet ribbon and the initial of the recipient?! I and my box of clear ornaments (put aside for several years now because "I might need them sometime"), thank you🥰
So pretty!
These ornaments are gorgeous! Your addition of the wax seal monogram makes them oh so extra special 🥰. I am wondering how you plan to store them and how they will store over time…? Thank you for sharing this beautiful craft!
Well, aren't you clever? Can I add a suggestion? I would spray paint or use rub n buff to match the silver topper to keep the metals all one color. 🙂
Agree
That's kind of brilliant! Why didn't I think of that---just added to the post!
A great idea. They look so expensive! As a "blue" person, I'd like to try blue paint for blue velvet. This idea has boundless possibilities. Thank you!
These are great. You’ve just inspired my Christmas table.
I have to try this for Christmas. I was looking for something new. Thank you!!!!
These ornaments are amazing. Love the colors!
I got all excited until I saw the monogram seal that for me in Canada would cost me $25!!!! Not going to do that!😪😪
These are beautiful! Thank you for sharing your amazing work. I have a few boxes of clear ornaments just waiting for something to be done to them.
Love these! I didn't know gold hot glue existed. Thanks for sharing. I'm definitely going to make these.
I just learned yesterday that the Christmas style that I have been slowly adopting over the past several years is now called Ralph Lauren Christmas! lol I don't own any actual RL holiday decor but my love for the red berries, pine cones, plaids and deep reds fits right in. You learn something every day....
Those are gorgeous.
These ornaments are so awesome! Thanks for sharing them with us!
Karianne, what a fun and clever project. The monogrammed stamps are wonderful. I'm going to try making some of those. Gotta get an extra glue gun, for sure-lol Always an inspiring visit. Have a wonderful week. xoxo
I am wondering if corn starch would do the same as the baking soda?
Adorable♥️ I love how easy and wonderful they turned out!
Beautiful. I actually thought they were wood when I first saw the picture. They look like giant beaded wooden balls. Love it!!
KA- those are STUNNING. Truly gorgeous and such a great idea. Love it. Was bummed the brown velvet ribbon is already sold out. Sigh.
So just buy rolls of thin brown velvet ribbon and tie away! Figure out length needed to make size of bow you want, then you can cut that length for all those you're making.
Oh my! These are amazing and you're right, they look like they would cost a fortune if you found them in the store. I'm on this project. You've given such great instructions, I can hardly wait. Hobby Lobby, here I come. 😊🎄 Karen B.
They are beautiful!!!!! Did you use a spray-on water-based sealer, or did you paint it on?
These are so pretty, you have the best ideas!! Thanks for the instructions and have a blessed day.
These are so pretty! I’m getting so inspired for Christmas! Thank you! Can’t wait to get my gold glue sticks!
Karianne, these are gorgeous! They do look like items for Downton Abbey decor. But why wait to use them only fir Chrustmas? They'd be beautiful tucked into fall or THANKSGIVING centerpieces or other displays. Always such creative ideas you have ! Thanks for sharing!
Have I ever used sealing wax and a stamp before? Oh yes!! When I was in high school, I would only write letters with a cartridge pen and I would use sealing wax and a stamp to seal them. I mostly only used a cartridge ink pen to write and must have seemed “a little” affected….lol. My parents were very patient and kind, buying my supplies without a word of dismay. ❤️ Oh, I also used heavy cardstock to write letters….🤦♀️ It was fun, I must admit. I love these Christmas ideas and am looking forward to incorporating them in my decor. As always, thanks for the great ideas!
I love the velvet ornaments! Several years ago my daughter and I used colored glue sticks and Christmas seals to make gift tags for all of our gifts. Putting the seals on the ornament is a great idea. Oh and you can get the colored glue out of your glue gun by just using it up and putting a clear glue stick in next. It will clear out the gold glue. At least that worked for us. Can't wait to see your tree!