How to Paint Clear Glass Ornaments

Glitter filled clear glass bulb

Glass ornaments are a staple Christmas decoration, and hand painted glass ornaments are an excellent way to add customization to any Christmas decor. Unfortunately, not just any paint will properly adhere to glass ornaments, and some designs prove more successful than others. Following a few simple rules are all that's required to ensure a beautiful outcome with every ornament.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil <br /><br />Scratch paper<br /><br />Scissors<br /><br />Empty toilet paper tube<br /><br />Fine tip craft paint pens (metallic and flat colors)

Instructions

1. 

   Empty toilet paper tube

   Determine the design you'd like to use. Choose something simple like a snowflake, snowman, cross, or star. Practice sketching your simple design on your scratch paper using your pencil. Cut about 1/2-inch off your toilet paper tube using your scissors and set the ring aside. You may repeat this process to match the number of bulbs you plan to paint.

2. 

   Paint pens

   Use a flat color paint pen to hand draw your single design on the front of your bulb. Your design should be about 2.5 inches in width, you may draw it larger to relate to the proportion of the bulb. Balance your bulb on one of your cardboard rings and allow it to dry.

3. Draw a smaller version of your design on the opposite side of the bulb using the same paint pen. Again, rest the bulb on the ring and allow it to dry.

4. 

   Painted Christmas bulbs

   Choose a metallic pen and outline each of your drawn designs very carefully. If you so choose, you may use one of your cardboard rings as a template to draw a circle at the top and the base of your bulb. Repeat this process using a different design for every bulb you wish to decorate. Allow your bulb to dry completely after every painting session.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider filling your clear glass bulb with glitter or confetti for a festive look. As you become more comfortable with the process, consider expounding on your design ideas and increase the complexity and number of colors you use.

• Use caution when handling glass bulbs. Broken bulbs can cause injury.

References

• Painting glass bulbs

Resources

• Painting on glass