How to Make Beaded Glass Ornaments

Beaded glass ornaments can add sparkle to your holiday tree, add a touch of glitter to a seasonal wreath and enhance a plain length of garland with vibrant color. You can make your own beaded glass ornaments to complement any type of decor for any season of the year. Fill a crystal vase with beaded glass ornaments as a centerpiece for your next event or hang these beaded beauties as decorative window accessories. Look for clear glass ball ornaments and colorful glass beads at your local craft or discount store.

Things You'll Need

• Wax paper
• 3 mm glass beads
• Clear glass ball ornaments
• Viscous jeweler's glue
• Tweezers
• Egg carton

Instructions

1. Spread a sheet of wax paper onto a flat work surface. Arrange a small grouping of 3mm round or oval glass beads in the center of the wax paper. If you prefer smaller beads, use glass seed beads to make this project. You can use a single color of glass bead or mix several colors; coordinate the beads with your other holiday decorations.

2. Cover one section of a clear glass ornament with viscous jeweler's glue. Viscous glue will not run off of the surface of a glass ball ornament as liquid glue will do; viscous jeweler's glue dries clear.

3. Press the glued area of the glass ball ornament into the grouping of small glass beads. Lift the ornament and make sure that the glued area is now covered with glass beads. Add beads to the ornament as needed, one-by-one with tweezers.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until half of glass ornament is covered with glass beads. Place the clear side of the ornament on top of an empty egg carton and allow the adhesive to dry. The egg carton will keep the ball ornament from rolling. After the glue dries, repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the glass ball ornament is covered with glass beads.

Tips & Warnings

• Glue small glass beads onto painted wooden ornaments or plastic ornaments to create decorative glass ornaments.

Resources

• All Free Crafts: How to Make Glass Ball Christmas Ornaments