Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 7 Things to Do in the Morning to Be Healthier and More Productive

      7 Things to Do in the Morning to Be Healthier and More Productive

      Kick-start your day by making habits out of these mood-boosting tips. Read More
    • Should You Refrigerate Bananas?

      Should You Refrigerate Bananas?

      It's one of your favorite fruits, but does it belong on the counter or in the refrigerator? Read More
    • This 3-Ingredient Homemade Weed Killer Uses Vinegar to Safely Remove Pesky Growths from Your Garden

      This 3-Ingredient Homemade Weed Killer Uses Vinegar to Safely Remove Pesky Growths from Your Garden

      A few easy-to-find ingredients are all you need to create a powerful formula that squashes weeds. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    Our 20 Most Popular Recipes for Summer

    Our 20 Most Popular Recipes for Summer

    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    The Most Patriotic Flowers for the Fourth of July, According to Symbolism

    The Most Patriotic Flowers for the Fourth of July, According to Symbolism

    Show your love of country by displaying these varieties on America's birthday.
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    How to Start Entertaining Friends and Family More Regularly

    How to Start Entertaining Friends and Family More Regularly

    Make gathering with loved ones a priority.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    We're Putting Up Walls Again—Is the Open Floor Plan on Its Way Out?

    We're Putting Up Walls Again—Is the Open Floor Plan on Its Way Out?

    We asked the experts to weigh in on this popular home design concept.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    A Month-by-Month Hydrangea Care Guide

    A Month-by-Month Hydrangea Care Guide

    Confused about when to do what to your favorite flowering shrubs? We have you covered.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Wash Pillows

    How to Wash Pillows

    They're an essential element of a comfortable bed, so keep yours fresh and in their best shape ever with these expert-approved tips.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Who Pays for What for the Wedding?

    Who Pays for What for the Wedding?

    Get the traditional rules for who pays for the wedding details.
    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    How to Melt and Reuse the Leftover Wax from Candles

    How to Melt and Reuse the Leftover Wax from Candles

    Our easy melt-and-pour method saves the last bit of this home essential.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Can Rice Water Really Encourage Hair Growth?

    Can Rice Water Really Encourage Hair Growth?

    This buzzy ingredient is a star player in many new-age hair care products.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
    • Net Worth
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Holiday Planning & Ideas
  3. Christmas
  4. Christmas Ornaments
  5. 26 of Our Most Memorable Handmade Christmas Ornaments
You're Invited Franchise Logo

26 of Our Most Memorable Handmade Christmas Ornaments

By Alexandra Churchill Updated November 19, 2021
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Pin
dresden ribbon ornaments
Credit: Katya de Grunwald

A handmade ornament is more than a decorative addition to your Christmas tree—it's a memory: one that is made with your kids and family, celebrating the season, and cherishing time together. Browse our best projects here including felted woodland animals, ribbons and rosettes, shooting stars, and more.

Start Slideshow

1 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
dresden ribbon ornaments
Credit: Katya de Grunwald

Much of the joy of the holiday season lies in rediscovering the treasures of Christmases past. And whether it's a majestic fir on public display or a delicate pine sapling atop a parlor table, the ornament-laden tree is one of our most enduring holiday emblems. Today, we still love the grandeur of a big Christmas tree and trimming it with treasured ornaments is a tradition worth keeping. Over the years, our editors have envisioned and crafted Christmas ornaments of all styles. This year, why not find inspiration in our projects—past and present—to start your own?

Evoke the story of your family with ornaments made by every member, young and old. You might draw upon your own ancestral traditions or a favorite holiday legend: In Poland, a tribute to Martha's heritage, ornaments are fashioned from straw to symbolize the harvest and hope for good things in the coming year; eggs represent the promise of future prosperity, too. In both Ukrainian and German lore, the tale of the Christmas spider explains the origin of tinsel. Many of our ornaments are inspired by those of antique quality and vintage charm, and even some from Martha's collection.

Here, you'll find a varied array of handcrafted ornaments—including a flock of cinnamon-scented birds, gilded baubles and wooden beads, and a flurry of snow-flecked paper cutouts—to fill your home with the holiday spirit. Some will take an afternoon to create, while others done in mere minutes; but for keepsakes that will deck your halls now and for years to come, consider it time well spent.

1 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Silver Seed-Pod Ornaments

silver ornaments pinecones acorns
Credit: Nico Schinco
Get the Silver Seed-Pod Ornament How-To

If pine trees are Mother Nature's Christmas gifts, seed pods are her stocking stuffers. To fashion your forest of easy and arresting ornaments, just spray an assortment—pinecones, poppy pods, acorns, plus other natural beauties, like sponge mushrooms—with gleaming metallic paint. Add hooks, and they'll dazzle in your home, or a lucky recipient's.

2 of 27

3 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pipe-Cleaner Angel Ornament

three fly girl doll ornaments
Credit: Johnny Miller
Get the Pipe-Cleaner Angel Ornament How-To

No holiday craft gives us the warm fuzzies like classic pipe-cleaner ornaments. Behold, our brand-new edition: angelic disco dancers. The doll heads come pre-painted with sweet, blushing faces. Shape their arms, legs, and hairdos from chenille pipe cleaners, then twist metallic ones into wings, halos, and teeny-tiny high heels. Once dressed in "lamé" cupcake-liner dresses, these dancing queens can shimmy their way through the season.

3 of 27

Advertisement

4 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Paper-Clay Botanical Ornament

botanical imprint paper clay Christmas ornaments
Credit: Kirsten Francis

Crafting these delicate botanical ornaments is second nature. Roll out paper clay-like cookie dough, then place seasonal sprigs (like rosemary, spruce, fern, or dried berries) on top and roll them in, too. (Paper clay comes in white only. For these subtle shades, knead in a few drops of black or pink craft paint.) Remove the greenery, punch out with a round cutter, poke a hole for hanging, and let dry. Voilà: a batch of decorations, or sweet gifts that won't disappear in a few bites.

Line a flat surface with waxed paper for a work area. Line baking sheet with another piece. Tear off about a third of the clay; set on work surface. Seal remainder in package until ready to use. Tint clay gray by adding a drop of black paint. Work it in with your hands until evenly dispersed. To make one ornament, flatten clay with rolling pin. Place a sprig on top, and gently go over it with pin a few times until fully pressed in. Using your fingernail, gently peel off sprig. Press cookie cutter firmly around sprig indentation to cut out ornament. Punch a hole at top of ornament with tube. Using a spatula, carefully lift and place ornament on prepared baking sheet. Roll out clay again; repeat using a variety of sprigs. (Each third of clay should yield four to six ornaments.) Repeat steps two and three with another third of clay and pink paint to make peach ornaments. Repeat step three with remaining clay (leaving it untinted) for white ornaments. Place another sheet of waxed paper on top of ornaments on baking sheet, then place books (heavy enough to press them flat without squashing them) on top to prevent warping. Let ornaments air-dry fully, five to seven days. Knot a three-to-five-inch piece of twine through each hole for hanging.

Shop Now: Creative Paper-Clay Modeling Material, $11.49 for 16 oz., michaels.com; Martha Stewart Family-Friendly Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Craft Paint, in Black Belt and Watermelon, $2.49 for 2 oz., michaels.com; Knot & Bow Natural-Cotton Twine, $4 for 10 yd., knotandbow.com.

4 of 27

5 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Golden Wood-Bead Ornament

gold wooden bead Christmas ornament
Credit: Kirsten Francis

You'll need gold leather cord and round wooden beads in two or three sizes, plus gold spray paint to coat a few beads, if desired.

Paint beads, if desired; let dry. (We used 12-millimeter, 3/4-inch, and 35-millimeter ones.) String a small, medium (if using), and large bead onto a 90-inch piece of gold cord. Loosely knot cord under small bead. Thread cord around and back up through large bead, as shown; repeat all around. Pull cord tight. Top with a medium (if using) and small bead. Thread cord back down through holes of all the beads, leaving a 4-inch loop at top, and undo knot at bottom, as shown. Knot the two ends of cord together; trim excess. Knot loop above top bead.

Shop Now: Fusion Beads Metallic Gold Round Leather Cord, $2 per yd., fusionbeads.com; Woodpeckers Wooden Beads, 3/4", $10 for 50, amazon.com; Jdesun Wooden Beads, 35 mm., $8.69 for 12, amazon.com; Craft Wood Round Wooden Beads, 12 mm., $4.39 for 75, michaels.com.

5 of 27

6 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Glittered Spun-Cotton Ornament

glittered spun-cotton ornaments for Christmas
Credit: Lennart Weibul

We've got just the thing for a starter tree: a box of handmade ornaments so delectable, they'll conjure visions of sugarplums. And because they're crafted from shatterproof spun cotton—coated in craft paint, then glitter—you can gift a full set knowing they'll stand the test of time (and pets, and toddlers).

  • Get the Cherry Ornament How-To
  • Get the Cupcake Ornament How-To
  • Get the Ice Cream Cone Ornament How-To
  • Get the Strawberry Ornament How-To
  • Get the Wrapped Candy Ornament How-To

6 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Quartz Icicle Ornament

quartz icicle ornaments
Credit: Pernille Loof

Make shimmery, dangling strands by grouping clear and light-pink quartz points on jewelry wire, adding a loop to each end, and attaching metallic cord.

Shop Now: Fire Mountain Gems Crystal Quartz Beads, from $1.50 for 2, firemountaingems.com; Fire Mountain Gems Copper Wire, in Silver, from $3.50 for 15 yd., firemountaingems.com; Jaylagems Rose-Quartz Strands, $18.88 each, jaylagems.etsy.com.

7 of 27

8 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Marbled Ornament

marbled ornaments
Credit: Pernille Loof

These swirled stones get their look from mixing paint in soft tones with marbling medium (a specialty product that takes the mess out of this technique). For the marbled ornaments, remove the top, add a teaspoon each of two paint colors mixed with marbling medium, swirl, and dry. For the flashy one, brush glue on the bottom and roll in glitter.

Shop Now: Darice Clear Glass Disc, 3 1/2", $7.50 for 6, amazon.com; Darice Clear Glass Ball, 100 mm, $7.50 for 2, amazon.com; Darice Iridescent Glass Ball, 35 mm, $8 for 20, amazon.com; Martha Stewart Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Craft Paint, in Slate Grey, Wild Blueberry, Rose Pink, and Poodle Skirt, $2.49 for 2 oz., michaels.com; Martha Stewart Multi-Surface Marbling Medium, $14, michaels.com; Creatology Glitter Pack, in Neon, $4, michaels.com.

8 of 27

9 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Agate Pendant Ornament

agate pendant ornaments
Credit: Pernille Loof

Snip off an agate pendant's jump ring and thread gold cord through the remaining loop for an instant ornament (or an extra-special gift tag).

Shop Now: Bead Landing Peach Druzy Agate Pendant, $10, michaels.com; Color Shop Blue Druzy Agate Charm, $13.49, michaels.com; M&J Trimming Imported Fine Metallic Twist Cord, 1 mm, from $1 per yd., mjtrim.com.

9 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Glittered Cupcake Ornament

cupcake-ornaments-1117
Credit: Peter Ardito
Get the Glittered Cupcake Ornament How-To

Come Christmastime, "The Nutcracker" is the harbinger of the holiday season. It awakens a child's curiosity about sweet delicacies—namely, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her candy-themed comrades. In our vision? Transform champagne-colored glass baubles into sweet treats with glittered spackle for frosting, and lest you forget the (beaded) sprinkles and cherry on top.

10 of 27

11 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Silk Flower Ornament

silk flower Christmas ornaments
Credit: Katya de Grunwald

Remove flowers from stems. For flowers with multiple layers of petals, separate layers, as shown with anemones, far left. Remove flower centers. Pin flowers (and leaves and stems, if using) to cardboard (or place on a protected work surface) and spray-paint in desired colors. Turn and spray other sides if necessary (paint may soak through fabric). Reassemble flowers, inserting gold balls on picks for centers. Twist wire on backs of balls into little loops to secure petals. Attach to tree with wire.

Shop Now: Ashland Silk Hydrangea Spray, $6, michaels.com; Ashland White Lily Stem, $9, michaels.com; Afloral Silk Anemones, in Cream, $4.80, afloral.com; Afloral Mum, in Cream, $2.25, afloral.com; Save-On-Crafts White Cherry-Blossom Branch, $10, save-on-crafts.com; Montana Black Spray Paint, in Cocktail, 100% Yellow, Flame Blue, and Elm, starting from $6.25, dickblick.com; Jamali Garden Shiny Gold Glass Balls on Picks, 25 and 40 mm, from $22 for 144, jamaligarden.com.

11 of 27

12 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Flower and Gem Ornament

floral gems and sequined ball Christmas ornaments
Credit: Katya de Grunwald

Metallic pink, copper, and gold glass "gems" dangle—many pendant-style, on chains—from the boughs. The chains on the lower branches are longer, emphasizing the dripping-with-jewels effect.

To make flower gems, position two same-size flowers back to back. (If desired, use three flowers for more dimension, sandwiching a larger one between two smaller ones.) Thread wire through the centers and around the petals to secure flowers together. Trim the wire. Hot-glue rhinestones to the flower centers. Open a jump ring with pliers, then use to attach a length of chain to a flower or glass gem. Close the jump ring. Attach a length of wire to the other end of the chain for hanging; wrap the wire around the tree branch.

To make sequined balls, glue a rhinestone to a sequin. If desired, glue that sequin to a larger one. Continue, making "stacks" of two and three pieces. Glue stacks to ornaments, spacing evenly. Let dry 24 hours.

Shop Now: Metalliferous Brass Flowers, 39 mm., 47 mm., and 65 mm., from 50¢ each, metalliferous.com; Bead Landing Gold Elongated Chain, $3.19, michaels.com; Bead Landing Thin Elongated Chain, $3.19 for 72", michaels.com; Bead Landing Gold Jump Rings, $3.19 for 105, michaels.com; Swarovski Flat-Back SS30 and SS34 Rhinestones, in Light Rose, Light Topaz, Jonquil, Aquamarine, Light Sapphire, and Tanzanite, starting from $5.50 for 36, tohoshoji-ny.com; Bead Landing Round Sequin Mix, in Multicolor, $10 for 7.6 oz., michaels.com; E6000 Jewelry and Bead Glue, $7 for 1 oz., michaels.com. 

12 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Dresden Rosette Ornament

dresden-ornaments-how-to-120-d112423.jpg
Credit: Bryan Gardner
Get the Dresden Rosette Ornament How-To

Dresdens come in many different sizes and designs; often, they are cut with antique dies that have been in use for decades. For many of our ornaments, we stacked a few Dresdens, giving the end result a more detailed and dimensional look.

13 of 27

14 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Circus Ornament

christmas-circus-ornament-still-life-049-d112139.jpg
Credit: Katya De Grunwald
Get the Acrobat and Circus Animal Ornament How-To

Don't pass by the party store when decorating your tree—that's where you can find honeycomb balls that look like oversize ornaments, as well as striped straws. Combine those colorful items with our clip-art cut‑outs for a tree that's quite affordable to decorate from top to bottom.

To make a trapeze: Cut a 3-inch length of straw. Thread metallic cord through and tie ends as a hanger. Dab hot glue to secure cord inside straw.

To make a ladder: Start with six straws. Trim the end of one to a point, then insert 1/4 inch into a second straw, making one longer straw. Repeat with another pair. Cut the remaining two straws into 2 1/2-inch sections. With a hole punch, punch a semicircle into the end of each short piece so each end has a concave cutout (to allow pieces to fit neatly against the sides of ladder). Position short pieces between the two long side pieces and hot-glue in place. Hot-glue the acrobat figure to a ladder and trapeze.

14 of 27

15 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Frozen Ice Ornament

frozen snowflake and icicle Christmas ornaments
Credit: Katya de Grunwald

Mix fine glitter and shard glitter. Apply one or two strips of tape to each ornament, dividing it into two or three sections. Brush glue onto one section. Working over tray, sprinkle lightly with seed beads, not coating completely, then sprinkle with glitter mixture. Remove tape and let dry, 2 hours.

Shop Now: FloraCraft Diamond Dust, $11 for 11 oz., michaels.com; Martha Stewart Super Fine Glitter, in White Gold, $7 for 1.5 oz., michaels.com; Aleene's Original Tacky Glue, $2, michaels.com; Toho Glass Silver-Lined Seed Beads, 2.2 mm., $3.29 for 6 g., michaels.com; Toho Glass Silver-Lined Seed Beads, 4 mm., $3.19 for 6 g., michaels.com; Toho Glass Silver-Lined Seed Beads, 2.2 mm., $3 for 6 g, michaels.com. 

15 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Glittered Bird, Nest, and Mushroom Ornament

glittered birds, nests, and mushrooms
Credit: Katya de Grunwald

Using a brush, add details to birds with glue, such as outlining wings and tail, dotting tips of beaks, and making speckles on body. While still wet, sprinkle with glitter. Position birds in your Christmas tree and hang ribbons from their beaks. Spiral lametta into a nest shape, or wrap tinsel garland around wire and spiral that into a nest shape. Brush mushroom caps with craft glue; sprinkle with glitter and arrange them around the base of your tree.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Fine Glitter Set, $23.85, amazon.com; Martha Stewart Detailing Brush, $9.39 for a set of 5, michaels.com; Artificial Decorative Feathered Birds, starting from $17.50 for 12, billsflowermarket.com; Blumchen Lametta Tinsel Roping, 1/2" and 1/4", starting from $8 for 2 yds., blumchen.com; Toadstool Ornament, $8, westelm.com.

16 of 27

17 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Plaid Ball Ornament

matthew-tree-glossary-001x-md110644.jpg
Credit: Eric Piasecki Photography

Red- and yellow-based tartans are a twist on the traditional Christmas colors of red and green. The ornaments are easy to make by winding bias strips of plaid fabric around Styrofoam balls, or by folding and snipping ribbon into banners and finishing them with kilt pins (for either a Scottish or a decidedly punk vibe).

To make plaid ball ornaments, use a rotary cutter and ruler on cutting mat to cut 1/2-inch strips of fabric on the bias. (A few will be too short to use.) Use glue to tack the end of one strip to a ball. Wrap the rest of this strip around the ball, gluing the end when the strip runs out. Continue wrapping with more strips in various directions until the ball is covered. Glue to secure. Cut an 8-inch piece of ribbon; fold over and knot. Press a bank pin into the ball, anchoring knot under the head of the pin.

To make pennant ornaments, cut ribbon into 8-inch lengths. Fold each length in half; pinch the sides in at the fold, creating a point, as shown. Iron to set pleat. Cut a serpent-tongue shape at the bottom. Using a pin, pierce a hole through each ribbon at point to thread a jump ring. Thread an 8-inch piece of cord through; knot. Optional: Adorn with a kilt pin.

Shop Now: Save-on-Crafts Styrofoam Balls, 2", 3", and 4", starting from $5 for 12, save-on-crafts.com; Band J Fabrics Cotton Oxford Plaid Fabric, 44", $16 per yd., bandjfabrics.com; Fiskars Classic Stick Rotary Cutter, $16, michaels.com. 

17 of 27

18 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Glittered Shell Ornament

mld105140_1209_shells_prev.jpg
Credit: Sang An
Get the Glittered Shell Ornament How-To

Shells, sea stars, and sand dollars are dusted with glitter— a single color, or two shades blended for an ombré effect—or simply left as is. Naturally spotted tun shells sport sparkly stripes, while spangled sea urchins morph into "jellyfish" with tinsel tentacles. Miniature wooden sailboats, awash in glitter, introduce another shape to the nautical mix. For hanging, the ornaments are outfitted with metallic thread and, in some cases, a single pearl bead.

18 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Star Ornament

star-ornaments-mld107727.jpg
Credit: Johnny Miller

The winter night sky offers a whole other world of inspiration and these star ornaments are easily within reach. Make all the different kinds, or multiples of one style. A few shimmery supplies is all it takes to create ornaments that will shine this season and beyond. To hang these stars as ornaments, add a loop of metallic cord between them before gluing.

  • Get the 3-D Glitter Star Ornament How-To
  • Get the Starburst and Meteor Ornament How-To
  • Get the Springy Shooting Star Ornament How-To
  • Get the Sparkling Satellite Ornament How-To

19 of 27

20 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Brass Ornaments

brass metal hardware Christmas ornaments
Credit: Ryan Liebe
Get the Brass House Ornament How-To

These shiny ornaments, fashioned in the symbols of the season, are created from brass. To help some ornaments hold their striking silhouettes, the lengths of tubing are threaded with sturdy gold wire, along with the colorful mason's twine. Use a small pipe cutter to slice through round tubes; a hacksaw cleanly cuts square tubing. You can wrap the strings around the branches for an accent.

20 of 27

21 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Holiday Card Ornament

gt065_holcardorn1_s.jpg

These ornamental balls are made from holiday cards from Christmases past. Cut out twenty circles: For a small ball, use a 1 1/4-inch hole punch; for a large one, trace around the bottom of a glass. Cut one more circle from cardboard; draw an equilateral triangle, points touching the circumference. Cut out triangle; trace it onto the inside of each circle. Score and fold along all the lines. Next, use clear-drying craft glue to join one flap from each of two circles; triangles should point in the same direction. Using the same technique, attach three more circles to these two, forming what will be the top. Make the bottom the same way. Glue remaining ten circles together, triangle points alternating up and down, forming a line. Glue two end flaps to form what will be the middle section, then glue top and bottom to its flaps. Hang from silver thread.

Shop Now: Paper Harbor Co. Vintage Cards, $14.50 for 10, etsy.com; Aleene's Clear Gel Tacky Glue, $3.49, michaels.com; Coats & Clark Metallic Thread, $2.99, michaels.com.

21 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Drum Ornament

la103123_1207_tree.jpg
Credit: Lucas Allen

Drum-shaped ornaments are among the most iconic Christmas decorations. But you don't need to scour antiques stores and flea markets to drum up your own set—all it takes to make the ornaments are plain wooden boxes, festive ribbon, and glue. Decorate round boxes by attaching patterned ribbon around the bases and lids with craft glue. (For our 3-inch-wide box, we glued a 1-inch-wide ribbon around the base.) To create a strap for hanging the ornament, cut a length of thin ribbon, and glue each end to the inside lip of the box lid. Optional: If using the ornaments as favors, line their interiors with decorative paper cupcake liners, and fill them with cookies, truffles, or other small treats.

Shop Now: ArtMinds Papier Mache Round Box, $3.79 each, michaels.com; Celebrate It Satin Snow Ribbon, $2.99, michaels.com; Celebrate It Snowflake Christmas Baking Cup, $2.09 for 24, michaels.com.

22 of 27

23 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Needle-Felted Woodland Ornament

ornaments-1324-mld108759.jpg
Credit: Sang An
Get the Woodland Animals Template

Forest animals, mushrooms, and bristle ornaments mix the natural and the fantastical—and bring texture to your tree. Print templates; cut out. Trace templates onto felt with tailor's chalk, and cut out. Place a felting-needle mat under felt, and lay a few tufts of roving side by side where desired. Using a needle-felting tool, punch fibers through felt until they transfer evenly to the reverse side. Remove stray fibers by pressing felted area with one hand and teasing out stray pieces with the other. Repeat until area is covered. Use a screw punch to make a hole at the top. Hang with twine.

Shop Now: A Child's Dream Wool Felt, 3 mm, in assorted colors, $12 per sheet, achildsdream.com. 

23 of 27

24 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Glossy Painted Ball Ornament

painted ball Christmas ornaments
Credit: Juliana Sohn

When former Living crafts editor Blake Ramsey didn't have enough trimmings for her first Christmas tree, she beautifully embellished affordable glass balls.

Fill squeeze bottles with paints. Add gloss finish as desired to thin color and make it more translucent. Make a drying rack by inserting wooden skewers into foam board. Remove caps from ornaments. For speckled ornaments: Use a narrow-tip bottle to squirt paint upward into an ornament so it spatters. Let dry upside down for one day on the rack. Then add a second layer: Squeeze a small amount of new color into ornament so it runs down sides, then rotate ornament to spread the paint. Repeat as needed for the desired effect. For streaked ornaments: Repeat the above steps, but don't let the first color dry. Add second layer right away so colors swirl together. For solid ornaments: Use a wide-tip bottle to squeeze paint into the ornament so it runs down the sides, then rotate ornament to spread paint. Repeat to achieve the desired look. Let all the ornaments dry for one day on drying rack. Paint caps with paintbrush, and let them dry.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Crafts Multi-Surface High-Gloss Acrylic Craft Paint, $2.39, michaels.com; Martha Stewart Crafts Gloss Finish, $8.49, michaels.com; Whitehurst Clear Glass Ornaments, 2", $34 for 28, homedepot.com; ClearBags Cupcake Box fox 6, $23.80 for 10, clearenvelopes.com; Grafix Clear Acetate, 9" by 12" by 0.005", $12.37 for 25 sheets, dickblick.com; Nashville Wraps Clear Cellophane, $4.15 for 20"-by-100' roll, nashvillewraps.com.

24 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spun-Glass Butterfly Ornaments

spun-glass ornaments and drawstring bags
Get the Spun-Glass Butterfly Ornament How-To

These are butterfly ornaments that evoke an antique spun-glass German pair. The supplies for making them are not as elusive as the originals: We purchased spun-glass wings from a specialty craft shop and combined them with clay bodies—adding painted details in red and white.

25 of 27

26 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Salt Dough Ornaments

christmas-cookie-step-4-d106644-0815.jpg
Credit: Raymond Hom

Two by two, they adorn the boughs of your Christmas tree: These animal ornaments that look just like cookies but are long lasting and "iced" with glue and glitter.

To make a batch, combine two cups of flour and 1 cup of salt. Slowly mix in one cup of warm water. Knead for seven to 10 minutes on a floured surface. Roll out to 3/8-inch thickness. Freeze for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Use cookie cutters to cut out animal shapes. Insert screw eyes at top of shapes. Freeze for 30 minutes. Bake for four to six hours. Let them cool.

In a bottle, mix craft glue and paint to desired color. Outline an animal with colored glue. "Flood," or fill in, the surface with colored glue. For a solid glitter effect, coat glue immediately. For a more layered look, let first coat of glue dry overnight, then apply second color for details, adding tinsel or regular glitter, or microbeads as desired. Use glitter glue pens for small details. You'll need one screw eye (for hanging) for each ornament.

Shop Now: Wilton Mini Noah's Ark Cookie Cutter Set, $11.97, amazon.com; Creatology Glitter Glue Pens, $5 for 15, michaels.com; Martha Stewart Fine Glitter 24 Pack, $19.47, amazon.com; Doraa Design Metallic Glass Microbeads, $2.93 for 3 gm., etsy.com.

26 of 27

27 of 27

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Metallic and Spun-Glass Ornaments

mla103805_1208_treeornam.jpg

These refined ornaments—some brightened with gold or silver leaf, others tinted in soft pastels—are among the dozens adorning Martha's tree. Her own collections of antique china, including Wedgwood drabware, jasperware, and Old Paris porcelain, served as inspiration. To make them, use a paintbrush to apply acrylic paint (yellow ocher for gold leaf, white for silver leaf) to both sides of an architectural ornament; let dry. With another brush, apply size (an adhesive available at art-supply stores) to the front of the ornament and drape a gold- or silver-leaf sheet over the front of the ornament; smooth gently with fingers. Loop cord through top of the ornament and tie, or attach a looped cord with hot glue.

Shop Now: Mona Lisa Simple Leaf, $8.31, dickblick.com; Old World Art Gold Leaf Adhesive, $8.84 for 2 oz., amazon.com.

27 of 27

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Alexandra Churchill

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    `
    You're Invited Franchise Logo
    View Series
    • 6 Accidents to Expect at Your Summer Parties—and How to Avoid Them
    • 16 Best Shatterproof, Durable Dish Sets for a Season of Outdoor Entertaining
    • Our 14 Favorite Front Porch Decorations for the Fourth of July
    • 3 Summer Hostess Mistakes to Avoid During All of Your Warm-Weather Soirées
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 27
    2 of 27 Silver Seed-Pod Ornaments
    3 of 27 Pipe-Cleaner Angel Ornament
    4 of 27 Paper-Clay Botanical Ornament
    5 of 27 Golden Wood-Bead Ornament
    6 of 27 Glittered Spun-Cotton Ornament
    7 of 27 Quartz Icicle Ornament
    8 of 27 Marbled Ornament
    9 of 27 Agate Pendant Ornament
    10 of 27 Glittered Cupcake Ornament
    11 of 27 Silk Flower Ornament
    12 of 27 Flower and Gem Ornament
    13 of 27 Dresden Rosette Ornament
    14 of 27 Circus Ornament
    15 of 27 Frozen Ice Ornament
    16 of 27 Glittered Bird, Nest, and Mushroom Ornament
    17 of 27 Plaid Ball Ornament
    18 of 27 Glittered Shell Ornament
    19 of 27 Star Ornament
    20 of 27 Brass Ornaments
    21 of 27 Holiday Card Ornament
    22 of 27 Drum Ornament
    23 of 27 Needle-Felted Woodland Ornament
    24 of 27 Glossy Painted Ball Ornament
    25 of 27 Spun-Glass Butterfly Ornaments
    26 of 27 Salt Dough Ornaments
    27 of 27 Metallic and Spun-Glass Ornaments

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    26 of Our Most Memorable Handmade Christmas Ornaments
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.