Help with handmade ball ornaments

[mrudman]

My whole family (14 of us, 4 families) went on a beach vacation this past year, and was thinking of making glass ball ornaments as a small gift for everyone as a remembrance.

We (brothers/sil's and I/dh) usually don't exchange gifts to each other, only to our kids, so want to keep this small so they don't feel bad that I gave them something, with nothing in return.

Does anyone know where to get 4 of the glass ornaments on a budget?

I'm planning on putting some sand I had brought home from the trip in them, along with little bit of driftwood and shells we had also brought home.

Thought about trying to find tiny shovels or something but not sure i'd be able to find those.

Any thoughts on how I could write the place/year on them? Had thought about tying a ribbon with a small piece of cardstock with the info, but thinking it might look nicer if I could actually write it on the glass instead.

But what kind of markers would actually write nicely on glass, and stay on/not wear off?

Thanks for any help!

 

[scrapquitler]

My whole family (14 of us, 4 families) went on a beach vacation this past year, and was thinking of making glass ball ornaments as a small gift for everyone as a remembrance.

We (brothers/sil's and I/dh) usually don't exchange gifts to each other, only to our kids, so want to keep this small so they don't feel bad that I gave them something, with nothing in return.

Does anyone know where to get 4 of the glass ornaments on a budget?

I'm planning on putting some sand I had brought home from the trip in them, along with little bit of driftwood and shells we had also brought home.

Thought about trying to find tiny shovels or something but not sure i'd be able to find those.

Any thoughts on how I could write the place/year on them? Had thought about tying a ribbon with a small piece of cardstock with the info, but thinking it might look nicer if I could actually write it on the glass instead.

But what kind of markers would actually write nicely on glass, and stay on/not wear off?

Thanks for any help!

You can buy the supplies at a craft store like Michaels, AC Moore or Joann Fabrics. You might even find them at Walmart (I know I saw them there at one point).

I saw this you tube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l2m1CnCF-c and that lady just used colored sharpies to write on them, so taht might be a good option for you.

 

[cluvsdisney]

Michael's, AC Moores and craft stores like that sell plain glass ornaments for this purpose. They might have them in dollar stores too but I can't say for sure.

You can buy a glass paint pen or I think a sharpie would work too. Another option, although a little more expensive would be to get rub-on letters at a craft store. They are pretty simple to use and really nice. But I like your original idea of making a tag and tying it with a ribbon.

 

[NotUrsula]

Glass ornaments are lovely, but since you want this one to last and it is likely to be cute enough that kids will want to look at it, consider using acrylic balls instead. They are a lot more resistant to handling by kids and interest by pets.

Also, another way to put the message on is to put the message inside: write it on one of the pieces of driftwood, or put it on a slip of paper inside the ball under the sand, so that it is facing out from the inside.

 

[3boymthr]

I was at Michael's not that long ago and they had the glass balls - though hurry as they do sell out of them. They also had some beads/scrapbook ornaments that would probably suit your purpose for something to put in with the sand and driftwood.

Another thing you could do to mark the occaision is to print out small photos of where you went (or a small group photo) and mark the date and pertinent info on back and stick them inside with the sand and driftwood.

 

[mrudman]

Thank you for the wonderful ideas!! Going to head out to Michael's shortly and hopefully they still have some.

I really like the idea of writing the info on the piece of driftwood or printing a small picture out and putting it on the back.. going to see if that would work.

Thanks!

 

[wiigirl]

There is also Hobby Lobby...not sure if everone has those though...

 

[mrudman]

Ended up going to Hobby Lobby (bit closer than Michaels to me), and bought their last 4 acrylic bulbs. They had nice glass bulbs too, but the glass ones had very small access at the top where the acrylic ones are in halves so I can put bigger shells, etc. in.

I also bought cute little plywood pieces and wide toothpicks.. think I'm going to make a "beach sign" using those, and stick it in there with the place/year.

I'll post pics once I get them done.. hoping they turn out as cute as I'm envisioning in my head, lol.

 

[cluvsdisney]

I am envisioning something really cute too! I can't wait to see them!

 

[v.t.]

I also bought cute little plywood pieces and wide toothpicks.. think I'm going to make a "beach sign" using those, and stick it in there with the place/year.

I'll post pics once I get them done.. hoping they turn out as cute as I'm envisioning in my head, lol.

What a great idea! I'm sure they will turn out great.

 

[Earstou]

You could print your photos on acetate or transparency sheets, cut to the size of the ornament and insert them.

To give you an idea of what I mean, I tried to find directions online, but only found this one with a design painted on a sheet:
http://www.hgtv.com/holidays-occasions/glass-ornaments/index.html

 

[tiggger1]

we are making melted snowman. I have seen 2 different styles. One was a clear glass ball ornament with kosher salt, pepper corn for the buttons and eyes and a tiny orange cone for the nose....all mixed in the ball...the other was similar but it used some sort of clear epoxy so it all the stuff hardened.. I think we are just making the first one.. super easy!

 

[mrudman]

we are making melted snowman. I have seen 2 different styles. One was a clear glass ball ornament with kosher salt, pepper corn for the buttons and eyes and a tiny orange cone for the nose....all mixed in the ball...the other was similar but it used some sort of clear epoxy so it all the stuff hardened.. I think we are just making the first one.. super easy!

Sounds cute!

 

[mrudman]

OP here,

Finally got around to working on them today, and think they're turning out cute... but can't seem to find an easy way to make a ribbon bow at the top, ugh.

I made one for myself first to make sure it'd work, and turned out pretty good, but having just a small problem with the sand sticking to the inside of the ball. I think for the next 3 now, I'm gonna see if maybe rubbing a sheet of bounce on the inside first will help that.

Here's a picture of mine.. hard to tell, but it's a shark tooth glued to the post under the sign. And inside is sand from the beach, a shell, a piece of sand dollar we found there, another shark tooth, and a piece of driftwood. Those things will be in all the other bulbs too.

 

[cluvsdisney]

It's coming out really nice!!

 

[momxx5]

It turned out awesome.
I bet everyone will love them.

Remember Michaels & Hobby Lobby have 40% off coupons on line ALL the time. You can find small pails/shovels etc, in the scrapbooking area.

Also check out Polly Pocket and Little Pet Shop toys if you need other beachy accessories.

 

[pink_fins]

I purchased some clear bulbs and took the hanger off.

Then added some Mop&glow floor polish inside. Let it roll around all over.Dumped extra

Used a small funnel and added some pretty glitter (should get battle pay for using this ) and moved that around.

It stuck to the floor polish.. dumped the extra glitter into the garbage.. let it dry overnight and reasembled it. Turned out great.

thanks pinterest for the idea..

might be givng a few of these to some friends. maybe put their sports colors in them

gail

 

[Straitlover]

Cute!!!

Was that Ocean Isle, NC you went to? I love that area.

 

[mrudman]

Cute!!!

Was that Ocean Isle, NC you went to? I love that area.

Yea, it was. First time any of us had been there, and we all agreed it was the best vacation ever. We all stayed in a 5-bedroom oceanview condo. Was amazing! And was able to fulfill one of mine and my mom's bucket list items of watching the hatching (and running) of loggerhead sea turtles.

 

[summerlotus]

Very cute idea!