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Clear glass baubles are inexpensive and widely available during the holiday season. They can be decorated in many different creative ways. The tops of the baubles are usually easily removed, meaning you can decorate the ornaments from the inside. If you thin down some paint and drip some into the glass bauble, you can gently swirl it around to coat the glass from the inside for a decorative swirled effect. You can use several different colors of paint and allow them to blend, or wait for one color to dry before adding the next.
While the paint is still wet, you can trace simple designs into it with a cocktail stick through the opening at the top. A similar method can be used with some thinned-down white glue and glitter. When the glue dries clear, the inside of the bauble will be glittery. You can use paint, glue and glitter on the outside of the baubles too. Small trinkets and paper shapes can be suspended inside a clear glass bauble by removing the top and attaching them to it with a clear thread or glue. Mini paper snowflakes look very effective--you can insert them folded through the narrow opening and open them up with a cocktail stick. - Any kinds of clear glass jars can be transformed into ornamental candleholders. Baby food jars are good for tea lights, while larger jam jars can hold bigger candles. You can use glass paint to decorate the outsides of the jars with your own design, or coat them in white glue and a layer of glitter. Tissue paper glued on the outside of the jar creates a pretty effect, as it allows some of the candlelight to show through. You could glue a layer of colored tissue paper first, then glue an outer layer of dark-colored card stock or paper with motifs selected from it. During the holidays you could cut out star or snowflake shapes, while abstract geometric designs work at any time of the year. When the candle is lit, the light will shine through the cut-out shapes, showing the color of the tissue paper layer underneath.
- Clear glass baby food jars are well suited for making your own snow globes, and the method is simple enough for small children to make their own too. Remove any labels from the jars and thoroughly wash and dry them. Chose one or two waterproof items that will fit inside the snow globe and that can be glued to the underside of the lid. You can use little tree ornaments, trinkets purchased while traveling, old dangly earrings or small toys. Use a hot glue gun to stick your object(s) to the underside of the lid. Fill the baby food jar with water and a spoonful of glitter, add a line of glue around the rim, then screw the lid securely to the jar. Wait for the glue to completely dry before shaking the snow globe or standing it upside down.
