Craft Project - Glitz and Glitter Ornaments by Wen Zientek-Sico Homemade ornaments are always the best part of any Christmas tree. These ornaments are fun to make and a great way to reuse broken jewelry or leftover beads and other bits of glitz and glitter in a fun project the whole family will love.

Glitz and Glitter Ornaments

Add some sparkle and color to your Christmas tree with these easy to make ornaments. Use any beads you may have on hand to add to the ornaments, even those from old necklaces and other pieces of jewelry. Old earrings and pendants can also be used for a more Victorian look in place of the beads. Some craft stores now carry Styrofoam in other fun shapes that also make perfect ornaments, including trees, stars, wreaths, and more.

Assorted sizes of Styrofoam balls
Gold, silver, or copper colored thin craft wire
Craft glue or plain white glue
Glitter in assorted colors, sizes, and shapes
Scissors
Assorted beads, preferably in bright shiny colors

Cover your work surface with plenty of newspapers. Set out all your supplies. Take a piece of wire and push it through the center of each ball, leaving about three inches at the top and 5 inches at the bottom, depending upon the size and numbers of the beads you are planning on using. Brush the balls with the craft glue. Dip and roll the balls into the glitter. Glitter can also be sprinkled onto the balls for lighter coverage. Shake well to remove any excess glitter. Set aside and let dry for an hour, or until dry to the touch. Add a bead or two to the top of the ornament, and then twist the wire to form a small loop for hanging, inserting the tip of the wire back into the ball. String more beads onto the bottom wire, making sure to leave plenty of wire free to finish the project, and then form the wire into a small loop to prevent the beads from falling off the wire. Carefully rethread the wire back through the beads and insert the tip of the wire back into the ball.

Project Developed, Styled, and Photographed by Wen Zientek-Sico.