How to Make Big Shiny Holiday Ornaments Cheap and Quick

Need some big shiny ornaments to make a big impact in the holiday decorations? Create your own with easy techniques and cheap materials! Start with a basic design and see all the cool variations you can do.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 10 foot x 6 inch wide roll of aluminum valley flashing (Hardware store - roofs and gutters dept. $10)
• Sharp scissors
• Ice pick or sharp nail
• Hammer
• 4-6 old magazines for padding
• Decorative ribbon or cord for hanging
• Thin cardboard or paper for templates
• Pencil and masking tape
• Permanent color markers - optional
• Spray paint - optional

1. Create a Design: Simple shapes with bold outlines are best for this project. You can use the folded-paper-valentine technique to design stars, trees, gingerbread people, round ornaments or other symmetrical shapes. Or, just have fun and draw what you want on thin cardboard or paper as a template. Cut out the cardboard or paper shape.

2. Preparing the Metal: Aluminum valley flashing is thin aluminum that can be cut with sharp scissors. It comes in ten foot rolls starting at 6 inches wide. Unroll the roll and pull out a section of aluminum. Since this stuff is in a roll, it's sort of springy and wants to totally unroll. Use a couple of books to hold it down while you cut off a piece slightly larger than your design. Once the metal is cut from the roll, run masking tape around the roll to hold it closed.

3. Cutting the Shape: Using a pencil, trace the design onto the metal. Start cutting the metal using the throat of the scissors, not the tips. This will give you more power and control. Rotate the metal in the scissors as you cut. Cut away the bulk of the metal before cutting along the outline. For slightly more intricate shapes, a smaller scissors will get into the tight spots. Use care in both cutting and handling the aluminum - scissors and sharp metal edges can hurt!

4. Decorating Options: Once the shape is cut, it can be lightly bent to create a more dimensional look.
   
   The shape can also be decorated with incised lines! Place the shape on the old magazines as a work surface. Draw a simple line design on the metal. Use the edge of the ice pick and pressure to scratch lines into the metal. The lines will show up as a raised design on the other side.
   
   Try a punched design! Use the paper template to draw a series of dots in a design. Tape the paper onto the metal shape. Place the metal shape on the magazines and use the hole punch and hammer to punch out the design.
   
   Get colorful with permanent color markers. Markers will create a nice antiqued look on the surface of the metal. Let the colored marker areas dry for about 30 minutes before handling.
   
   Mask and Spray a Design: Use masking tape to mask off parts of the metal. Spray with spray paint, let the paint dry, then slowly pull off the masking tape.

5. Finishing Touches: Use the ice pick and hammer to poke a hole to hang the ornament. Thread ribbon or decorative cords through the hole and tie in a know or bow. If you want to hang the ornament where it can swing, use a fishing line swivel to add movement. Most big grocery stores have a camping section where you can buy a small bag of fishing swivels.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan a holiday art party and let guests create their own ornaments.
• Make smaller ornaments and use them as gift package decorations.
• Hang the ornaments on mono-filament fishing line in the garden for a wind chime effect.
• This project is not appropriate for children under the age of 10. It can be done with older kids under adult supervision. Kids can design the shapes, adults can cut the metal and let the kids do the decorating.
• Always use great care when cutting sharp metal or using scissors.