5 ways to make a unique decoration with a plastic ball ornament

I started making these simple but beautiful ornaments probably 20 years ago! I still love the ones I made way back then, and have continued to make them through the years. So, I want to share 5 ways to make a unique decoration with a plastic ball ornament with you.



Even if you’re not typically a DIYer, this craft project is super easy. You just need a few simple supplies.

Many years ago I made these using leopard print tissue paper. That went with my color scheme back then, and I loved them. As a matter of fact, I still have about 20 of them, because I just can’t part with them.

leopard tissue paper decoupaged to clear plastic christmas ball ornament with cream ribbon tied to top of ball and a white bottle brush tree and gray and white striped candy canes beside it



In more recent years, I transitioned to a more neutral and vintage look, so I make ones that look like this.

sewing patterns decoupaged on clear plastic christmas ball ornament with 2 white bottle brush trees and gray and white striped candy canes beside it



I love to dig in my ribbon and tissue scraps and create new ones every year.

I even tried some recently with gold leaf. That was only because I had some left over from a project. Gold leaf is a bit pricey and very delicate to work with.

gold leaf on clear plastic christmas ball ornament with 2 white bottle brush trees beside and gray and white striped candy canes beside



These also make fun and unique ornament exchange gifts during the holidays.

supplies for your plastic ball ornaments

Clear plastic or glass ball ornaments (these come in several sizes)

Assorted tissue paper or sewing pattern paper

shredded book pages

scrap ribbon or trim

Mod Podge

paint brush

book pages or sheet music

paper shredder

glass glitter or regular crafting glitter (optional)

silver pipe cleaners (optional)

artificial snow (optional)

directions for making unique Christmas ornaments using tissue or pattern paper

Cover the surface where you will be working with some sort of paper or an old sheet. This project is a bit messy.

First you want to cut your patterns or tissue into small pieces. I cut mine into about 1″x2″ pieces. It really doesn’t matter exactly the size. You just want something manageable.

Next, you will want to cover part of your plastic ball ornament with Mod Podge. I use a small chip brush, but any paintbrush will work.

I only cover about half of the ball at a time.



Paint half of the ball generously with Mod Podge and start adding strips of tissue or patterns.

You will need to overlap the tissue pieces to cover all of the ball. And you may have to add a bit of Mod Podge here and there to make the pieces stick to one another. The Mod Podge will dry clear, so it doesn’t matter if it is over the top of the tissue paper.



When the ball is dry, you can go back and make sure it is covered, and add pieces where you may have missed a spot.

Sometimes, it’s hard to tell if it is completely covered when the ball ornament is still wet.

directions for making a unique Christmas ornament using shredded paper

For the shredded paper ornaments, you will need to shred your book pages or sheet music.

I make sure the container on the paper shredder is empty before I start. This way, when I am done, my book pages are the only paper in the shredder container.

Tear sheets out of you book or use sheet music pages, and feed them into the shredder.

Empty out the shredder container. I store my shredded paper in a large ziplock bag to keep on hand for other projects.

Take the tops off of the plastic ball ornaments and add as much shredded paper as you like.

I like to add a bit of artifical snow or glitter with the paper to add a bit of sparkle. This, of course, is up to you.

Use your creativity here, because adding pearls or other decorations is also fun and cute.


3 unique ways to cover the tops of your plastic ball ornaments

This is where you can get really creative!!

Glitter Ornament Tops

For some of my ornaments, I like to add glass glitter to the top. Regular glitter will work too.

Paint the top of the ball with Mod Podge or any type of glue and spoon the glitter over the top. Making sure to cover all of the top.



Be sure and use a paper plate or something to catch the glitter that falls off, so it can be reused.

The glass glitter, and of course, regular glitter come in all different colors. So use whatever goes with your color scheme and theme.


Ribbon or Pipe Cleaner Ornament Tops

For the pipe cleaner tops, I like to use the silver or gold metallic pipe cleaners.

Hot glue one end of the pipe cleaner to the base of the hanger on the top of the ornament ball. Tightly wrap the pipe cleaner around the hanger until you reach the end of the pipe cleaner or have covered the entire top of the hanger, then glue the end down.

clear plastic christmas ball ornament with shredded book pages inside it and silver metallic pipe cleaner wrapped around top of ornament hanger

And that’s it!! Super easy and unique Christmas ornaments.

You can get really creative with these and add things that go with your theme and color scheme.

And, wouldn’t it be fun to host a ladies get together during the holidays and make these? Everyone could bring some supplies to share, and take a few ornaments home.

Kind of like a cookie exchange, but with ornaments.

I hope you’ve enjoyed and been inspired with these 5 ways to make a unique decoration with a plastic ball ornament!

I would love to hear if you try it!!

blessings and happy crafting,

shop the post


If you liked this post, be sure and Pin It to remember it….

pinterest graphic for how to make a unique christmas ornament using a clear plastic ball ornament

You might also like this post about How to Bleach Pinecones. They are beautiful and unique for your holiday decor.

bleached pinecone sitting beside white ironstone pot


Or you might like this Pinecone Christmas Tree……

pinterest graphic of how to make apinecone Christmas tree

23 Comments

  1. Michele, these are lovely! And, YES! Christmas crafts are the best!!!!

    1. Thanks Diane! I love making these every year! So glad you enjoyed the post!

  2. Love these! So simple but elegant and can be personalized to any decor.

    1. Yes, that’s what I love about them! The sky is the limit with the colors and style. So glad you enjoyed the post.

  3. I love these ideas. The ornaments are gorgeous.

    1. Thanks so much Renae! So glad you like it!

    1. Thank you Rachel! Such a fun and easy Christmas project. So glad you liked it!

  4. Love these sweet ornaments! And yes to an ornament decorating party! What a fun idea. Pinned😊

    1. Thanks so much Cindy! And so many options for how to make these!

  5. Donna Marie says:

    These ornaments are so nice–but I hate glitter! How do you keep it from being all over the house???

    1. I only used glitter on some of the ornament tops, and it stays on pretty well. You could always just use the metallic pipe cleaner to cover the top, and avoid using the glitter. Hope that helps.

  6. Wow– I had to click and see because I also made these ornaments 5 ways! And none of ours are the same! And then I saw you have a pinecone tree– and so do I! Wow! : )

    Liberty

    1. Oh, that’s funny! I love coming up with new ways to make these. Happy Sunday!

    1. Oh, thanks so much Donna! So glad you liked them. Thanks for following and commenting!!!

  7. The ornament are just darling and I especially love using the old patterns. I’m excited to feature your post this week at our Tuesday Turn About Link Party and hope you will return to share more.

    1. Thanks so much Michelle! I really appreciate that, and I would love to join the link party again.
      Happy Thanksgiving

  8. These are the cutest ornaments!
    Would love it if you shared them at my next Friday with Friends Link party
    Thanks
    Rachelle

    1. Oh, good. So glad you like them! And I would love to join your link party! Thanks for asking.

  9. It helped when you mentioned that there are many designs available for you to do. My aunt mentioned to me last night that she is looking for colored glass balls for the holiday decorations and asked if I have any idea where is the best option to buy. Thanks to this informative article and I’ll be sure to tell her that she can consult a well-known glass home accessories store as they can answer all her inquiries.

  10. I love your directions, will have to make some at Christmas…where do I save!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *