holiday 2024: diy upcycled painted ornaments

wreath number two for this year is a fun one...
i rounded up some old ornaments that i don't ever use, 
and gave them a whole new look with paint.

the pattern that i painted on these ornaments
was inspired by the posterboard i've been using as a 'drop cloth':
it's just splotches and swaths of paint left from many painting sessions -
which looks a lot like a current 'graffiti' paint trend
that is an easy pattern to replicate.

since my theme this holiday season is
O Christmas Tree
using ornaments in varied ways works perfectly!

follow along and let me show you how easy this is...

Let's Make It!

Materials:

ornaments . white spray paint (base coat)
acrylic paints in your choice of colors (at least three)
paintbrushes in varied widths . clear gloss spray paint
ribbons to hang ornaments from - coordinating color to your paint

Method:
i started with five ornaments in colors that i don't use (red and purple!)
and gave them a coat of gloss white spray paint as a base for the colors.
paint one side, let it dry, then flip over and paint the other side.

i chose six colors of acrylic paint for the pattern:
forest green, spruce green, grass green, green apple, chartreuse, and gold

i chose one paintbrush for EACH color -
each brush was a different size and width so that the pattern would vary. 
i painted the same shape in the same color on each ornament - 
working with one color and brush, then moving on to the next.

the photos above show the progression of how the pattern was built up. 
i didn't space anything or measure, i just blobbed the paint on!

once the ornaments were dry,
i cut varied green ribbons to lengths of 6" to 8"
then tied a ribbon to each ornament top.

THEN i realized i had forgotten to put the clear paint on them!

however, i found that having the ribbons actually helped me:
i held the ribbon and allowed each ornament to spin while i spray painted it,
then held each one in front of a fan for about a minute to dry the spray paint.

(there are two small painted trees in that photo - you'll see them soon!)

here's a closer look at each ornament:

these two were shiny purple resin 

these two were red glass with gold glittered lines

this one was metallic red, and is kinda' special.... 
it's one of two dozen resin ornaments
that i bought at the Disneyland Cast Member store.
they were used as Christmas decor inside Disneyland!!

to attach them to my foam wreath, 
i simply used straight pins through the ribbons...
that enabled me to vary the heights so they would all work together.

top tip:
if you will be hanging ornaments on an outdoor wreath
or are using breakable ornies, hot glue each cap to the ornament
to prevent it from falling out.

i've had this bright chartreuse velvet ribbon for 25 years!
i tied a few bows with it, and pinned them to the top of the white ribbon
that holds the wreath up on the metal hanger.
it works perfectly to top off the wreath without crowding the ornaments.

i just love the way this 'pattern' adds energy and interest,
and it couldn't have been easier to paint.
(yes, i could have added more ornaments in solid green hues...
but i'm digging the minimalist vibe here!)

related content:

faux terra cotta tree ornaments - holiday 2023

sweater motif painted ornaments


shared online:

funky junk interiors | new upcycle ideas #754

thank you for including my project in your feature, Donna!


my wee abode | tuesday turn about #280

creatively beth | creatively crafty linkup 

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