Easy Make Ornament Balls

How to Make Easy and Versatile Glass Ball Ornaments

"Easy make ornament balls" look great on a Christmas tree but also are appropriate for any holiday or season.

For example, I made the ornament shown here as a Christmas ornament, but the colors are perfectly suited for Easter or any Spring celebration. Use black and orange materials and you have a great Halloween ornament.

There are so many variations possible, depending upon the colors, type of filler, and ribbons you choose. For a Valentine's Day version, see Valentine ornaments. For a green and white St. Patrick's Day version, see St Patrick Day crafts.

When you need a last minute hostess gift or "secret Santa" gift, these "easy make ornament balls" are great standbys because they take so little time to make. (Of course, they make great gifts even if you are NOT in a hurry!)

Here's how to make these handmade ornaments.

Materials

• For the pink ornament in the photo, I used an 83mm bulb, which is about 3-1/4 inches in height not counting the cap.

Ribbon

• Length of the pieces depends on what size ball you use. For the 83mm bulb, you will need three pieces of ribbon each approximately 9-1/2 inches, plus ribbon for tying a bow around the cap and another piece for making a ribbon loop for hanging the ornament.

• If you use double-sided tape, it should be the same width or slightly narrower than the ribbon you use.

Instructions

Stuff the shred through hole in top of ornament until the ornament is full. (Be careful. Sometimes the glass edge has a sharp spot. It is best to use the eraser end of a pencil to push the shred through the hole.)

Cut three pieces of ribbon. Each needs to be long enough to extend from base of the cap on one side, around the bottom of the ball, to base of the cap on the opposite side. Length depends on size ball you use.

Attach ribbons to ball, equal distance apart (see photo at top of page).

• They need to cross each other at the very bottom of the ball. The ribbons will create six "stripes."
• Use glue stick or double-sided tape instead of squeeze-on glue to attach the ribbons (to avoid making a sticky mess).
• Cover the entire length of the back side of the ribbon with glue or tape. Be sure to cover the very ends of the ribbons. (Be careful not to let any of the tape extend beyond the sides of the ribbon. Trim it if it does.)
• Then stick ribbon on the ball.
• Don't press it down too hard until you have placed all the ribbons. You may need to move them around a bit to get them spaced the way you want them. If you are using glue instead of double-sided tape, it is more difficult to move the ribbons without making the glass sticky where you don't want it to be!
• When the ribbons are spaced to your satisfaction, press them down so they are completely taped to ball.

Replace cap and wire.

Tie a bow around top of ornament.

Tie another ribbon through the hanger top to hang it on the tree.

I hope you agree that "easy make ornament balls" live up to their name!


Many craft supply stores only sell glass ornaments for a few months preceding Christmas. Therefore, if you want to make glass ornaments throughout the year, I suggest that you stock up on these supplies in the Fall when they are available at the stores. For more information, see Craft Tip.


For a complete listing and photos of all ornaments featured on How To Arts and Crafts, see Handmade Ornaments for All Occasions.


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To create this lovely, versatile, and Easy to Make Ornament Ball, see the step-by-step tutorial and photos on the How To Arts and Crafts.com website.

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