Faux Vintage Christmas Ornaments

7 Materials
$12
3 Hours
Easy

I love vintage ornaments but let's be real, they are hard to find and pricey when you do so why not make your own?!!

I can't stop staring at them!!


Materials:




  • Wal-Mart ornaments
  • Old spindles
  • Folk Art Home Decor Chalk Paint
  • Folk Art Metallic Paint
  • Twine
  • Hot glue
  • 20 gauge wire


Tools:



  • Circular Saw
  • Drill
  • Paint brushes

I happened to have a box of old spindles lying around. But you could use old chairs legs or chair spindles. Don't be afraid to grab those chairs by the road!!

I picked those ornaments up at Wal-Mart last year on clearance for $5.00 but you could find cheap ornamnts even now. Try the dollar tree or any of the dollar stores.


Step 1: Paint your spindles

Paint your spindles. I used a matte chalk paint in white.

Step 2: Paint your ornaments

Next, paint your ornaments. I rigged up this little drying station so that I could paint all of the sides at once and let each dry completely.


Step 3: Cut spindles

I then cut my spindles down in different sizes using my circular saw.


Step 4: Drill holes in spindles

I used a drill to make holes for the ornaments to fit into. I checked the width of the ornament "stems" and matched them to a drill bit.


I drilled a much smaller hole at the top for the hook.


Step 5: Glue the ornaments to the spindles

I used hot glue to put the two pieces together. Don't worry about any glue that seeps out, because the twine will rescue is there.


Step 6: Cover gap with twine

I wrapped twine around the gap and distressed the wood a bit.


Step 7: Add some metallic paint

I then dabbed some metallic paint on the ornaments to give them some texture. Especially with the more shapely ornaments, this made all the difference.


Step 8: Add the wire hanger

I stuck a small piece of 20 gauge wire in the hole on top. Hot glued it in and looped it around.

I am loving these!!

I'd love a whole tree of these!!

Hope you enjoyed this diy!!

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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 9 questions
  • Dianab Dianab on Nov 15, 2019

    do the tops of the ornaments pop off like the glass ones or are they one piece and if so, how did you remove them?

  • Leslie Leslie on Nov 20, 2021

    Hi Laura I have one question please. Since you made these how has the paint held up on the plastic / glass ornaments? Do you suggest using a bonding primer under the paint so that the paint doesn't chip off? I know there are spray paints for plastic but not sure if the chalk spray paint can be used on plastic or glass without a bonder. Thank you for taking the time to answer :)

  • Nancy Nancy on Nov 20, 2021

    Is that garland cotton coil?

Comments
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  • Sandra Lierle Sandra Lierle on Nov 27, 2021

    I'm not sure, I don't have any spuñxlez. I do have many glass hand painted ornaments that belong to my grandmother when my dad was little. He was born in 1915. Mean so much to me. Also have the box.




  • Dlelsnerhr Dlelsnerhr on Oct 20, 2022

    I have tons of old ornaments that belonged to my grandmother and great grandmother- all mercury glass. I have never seen one with the attached spindle. What "era" do you think those were popular? Great project!

    • MaryAnn MaryAnn on Nov 20, 2022

      My bet is the Victorian Era. Trees in wealthy home were very tall and could support ornaments that heavy, and they look the nicest on a tall large tree. Please don’t paint your mercury glass ornaments, they are collectible and worth quite a bit. I would give my eye teeth, so to speak< for those mercury glass ornaments. They are so beautiful! Buy the cheap plastic reproductions for your project,. Save those beautiful old glass ornaments, they were hand blown and painted or finish by very talented craftsmen.

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