Project

Rainbow Ornament Mantel

Here's a colorful display sure to brighten spirits in any home this holiday. (The secret: styrofoam ball "ornaments" are spray-painted in a gradient of color.)

Photography: Kara Whitten

Source: Martha Stewart

Introduction

This idea comes from our friend Kara Whitten. These oversized glittery ornaments look lovely two ways: lined up on a mantel or hanging from a Christmas tree. You can even use one as a tree topper for a whimsical look. Her extra tip: "If you do not have juice lids for the ornament caps, cut a long rectangle and a circle from a piece of gold card stock and create an ornament cap by gluing the rectangle strip around the circle, punch two holes in the circle, then thread the wire through to create the ornament loop."

materials

6-, 8-, and 10-inch foam balls

Diamond dust or coarse iridescent glitter

Spray paint in various gradient colors

Gold spray paint

Spray adhesive

Styrofoam glue

Lids leftover from empty plastic bottles

18-gauge gold jewelry wire

Wire cutters

Drill with 1/4-inch bit

steps

Spray-paint styrofoam balls in colors of your choice; let dry completely.
Once dry, coat the foam balls with spray adhesive and sprinkle spoonfuls of coarse glitter; let dry.
Spray-paint plastic lids with gold spray paint and drill two holes in the lid.
Cut off a 6-inch piece of wire using your wire cutters and thread through the holes in the plastic lid to create an ornament hook, using glue to secure in place.
Once glue is dry, press the plastic lid "ornament cap" into the foam ball to make an indention, then remove the cap. Add a ring of glue around the indention and then replace the cap; let glue dry.
Once dry, line up the ornaments on the mantel in a rainbow or ombre pattern. Try mixing up the sizes of foam balls to create a varied yet balanced look.