Frog Ornaments

How to Make Glass Ball Frog Ornament

Frog ornaments are great "everyday" ornaments. These handmade ornaments will add a touch of whimsy to your kitchen, sun room, or powder room.

They also make wonderful holiday ornaments. Of course they look adorable on a Christmas tree. But depending on what ribbon you use, they also are appropriate for other holidays too.

For example, frogs make great St Patrick Day crafts. In fact, the green and white ribbon on the frog in the photo says, "Happy St. Patrick's Day."

These ornaments are similar to the frog Christmas ornaments. The major difference in the instructions is that the frog ornaments described on this page take longer to make because they are painted on the inside, which requires waiting for the paint to dry. Otherwise, it doesn't take long to make them.

Here is how to make frog ornaments:

Materials

55 mm clear glass ball ornament (approximately 2-1/8 inches from top to bottom, not including the cap)

• Be sure to get a glass ball with a cap with "leaves" or flaps, with spaced slots in between, like the cap in the photo. Not all ornaments come with a cap like this. See Ornament Cap and Spring Wire Design for more information.

2 green chenille stems ("pipe cleaners")

2 green chenille pompons (same color as pipe cleaners)

Green acrylic craft paint

2 large wiggle eyes

Glue

Ribbon (your choice)

Instructions

Remove the cap from the glass ball, and paint the inside of the glass ball with green acrylic craft paint. Click this link for a detailed description of how to paint inside of glass ornament balls.

When the paint is dry, proceed as follows:

Frog feet and legs

Loop the bottom 4-5 inches of pipe cleaner, twisting the end around the stem to securely fasten it. (See first photo below.)

Bend the looped portion into a frog foot, pinching the webbed toes to make distinct points. (See middle photo below.)

Repeat with the other pipe cleaner.

Join the two tops of the pipe cleaner legs by twisting them together. Don't twist down more than about one inch or else the legs will be too short. (See far right photo below.)

Place the twisted portion into the hole of the glass ball. (See photos below.)

Replace the cap while working the pipe cleaners into slots on either side of the cap. The pipe cleaners should extend symmetrically from each side.

• While holding the cap on with one hand, use the other hand to insert the hanger wire through the slot. You will need to press the two prongs together to fit them though the slot.

Once inside the ball, the prongs will spring back open and the cap will be secure.

Shape the pipe cleaners into frog legs.

Frog eyes

Glue the pompons to the glass ball where you want the eyes to be.

Glue the wiggle eyes on top of the pompons.

Finishing touches

Tie a ribbon through the hanger wire. Tie the knot tight so it will not come undone under the weight of the hung ornament.

When you are ready to store your ornament, you may want to recycle a plastic container from the salad bar to use as an ornament storage box.

Many craft supply stores do not stock glass ornaments except during a few months preceding Christmas. If you want to make glass ornaments during the rest of the year, you should stock up in the Fall. Read this Craft Tip for more information.

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

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