Asked on Feb 07, 2013

How to make a waxed Christmas Ornament

Dcz665
by Dcz665
Years ago my mom & her church group (The Crafty Ladies) made a Christmas ornament that Im trying to replicate. Basically it was a styrofoam ball that had a black & white pencil drawing of our church (apprx 2x3) on one side and then the name and date built on the other side. The neat part was the ball had a white, grey ish look and was either dipped in wax or the wax (I'm guessing wax but maybe something else) was painted on to give the surface a 3D wavy effect, mixed with some grey paint. It had a lovely winter effect with the subtle bumps and slightly swirled grey & white effect.
Here's the problem, my mom remembers doing the project but not the exact details. She remembers using cellulose powder, styrofoam ball, the picture, paints and somehow buffing the ball after waxing. None of these things are super cheap so I'm wondering if anyone has done a project like this and could provide instructions before I waste a lot of money with trial runs.
  4 answers
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Feb 07, 2013
    I would think painting over wax to be problematic for adhesion. Having made numerous candles as a kid we sometime would "sculpt" patterns of some using melted wax and an old artist paint brush. The trick is to start using the wax just before it starts to "set". If the wax is too hot is just runs off the piece.
  • Michael Clark Michael Clark on Dec 02, 2013
    An old magazine from the 70's (Better Homes?) told how to make wax ball ornaments from old Christmas cards. Paint styrofoam ball complementary color for cards to be used. Use 3 coats of Regal Egg Sheen on cards. Peel off paper backing when dry so cards can be manipulated around ball. Glue on ball, let dry and coat with 2-3 coats of paraffin wax. Buff with an old towel. Make hanger with fishing line and straight pin pushed into ball. Maybe this will help.
    • Dcz665 Dcz665 on Dec 02, 2013
      @Michael Clark Thank you thank you! I've never heard of Regal Egg Sheen but I'll look for it. Hoping to have these done for 2014!
  • Lindcurt Lindcurt on Feb 17, 2015
    Regal egg sheen is probably similar to Mod Podge. I've seen tutorials where they coat a picture with 3 layers of Mod Podge, letting it dry in between coats. After it has all dried turn it over and spray the paper with water. Let it soak in and start rubbing the paper off. It leaves the Mod Podge layers with the picture imbedded in it. I looks like a decal. My Mom used to do this with wedding invitations. She put them on a painted board and decorated the board in the bride's colors.
  • Grandmasue10 Grandmasue10 on Mar 18, 2016
    I would try the DIY section in the library.