Thursday, November 29, 2012

{Hot Glue Snowflake Ornament}

Last year, I had the pleasure of guest posting at Under the Table and Dreaming for Stephanie Lynn's Handmade Ornament Series.  I didn't have time to post the tutorial here on my blog before Christmas last year, so I saved it for this year.


Supplies:
  • Glue Sticks
  • Hot Glue Gun
  • Wax Paper
  • Dish Detergent
  • Ornament Template
  • Glitter (My FAVORITE supply!)
  • Mod Podge
  • Small Paint Brush
  • String or Wire
Step One:
Google an image you would like to use for your ornament.  An image with simple lines that all connect works best.  I googled snowflake images and found a nice one to use.  Print your image the size you want your ornament to be.  (Make sure you don't print a tiny image because you will end up with a blob of hot glue that will look nothing like an ornament.)  Get your glue gun, glue sticks, and wax paper ready.


Step Two:
Place a sheet of wax paper over your ornament template.  Cover the wax paper with dish detergent.  Mix a little water with the detergent to make it spread easily.  Then simply trace your image with hot glue.  I have found that using a continuous stream of glue with even pressure for each line works best. (NOTE: Commenters on the original post said that they tried this ornament using parchment paper instead of wax paper, and they didn't have to use the dish detergent.  I've never tried it, but it could work.)  This is what it will look like when finished.


Step Three:
When the ornament is dry, peel it from the wax paper.  If some of the paper sticks to the back, just run the ornament under cold water and peel off the excess paper.  This will make the ornament really firm and help get rid of the excess dish detergent.  If there are any weak places in the ornament, you can always cover those spots with more glue.  I had to do this for my ornament, and that made me decided to make it look more 3D with an extra layer of glue in different spots.  Just be sure to let the second layer of glue dry completely before moving your ornament.


Step Four:
Gather your glitter, Mod Podge, and paint brush.


Cover your ornament with a layer of Mod Podge.


Cover with glitter.


I liked the glitter so much I decided to add another layer of a different type of glitter when the first layer dried.  If you want to do the same, just repeat the steps you followed for the first layer of glitter.


Step Five:
This is the final step!  Add a hanger to your ornament.  I did this by making a loop from some jewelry wire I had sitting around the house.  You could use string also.  Just hot glue a loop of wire or string to the back of your ornament.  Once again, make sure the glue is complete dry before moving your ornament.


With the hanger applied, it's time to admire your hot glue ornament.  Here's my finished snowflake.


Here it is hanging on my tree.


And here is one final view of the little cutie.


The possibilities are endless with this hot glue craft technique.  You can even use it to make 3D letters for craft projects, which I show you how to do {HERE}.  So have fun creating your own ornaments or whatever else you can dream up!  :)

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15 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. That is gorgeous, Bethany!

    Definitely on my to-do list!
    Pinning now!

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  3. What a fun and fantastic looking craft - my favorite kind! I wish I had seen this earlier, I was in an ornament exchange and my parter wanted so etching colorful and sparkly! Oh well, now I will get to enjoy these beauties for myself. Thanks for the easy to follow tutorial.

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  4. That is so cool! I never would have thought of using hot glue for anything other than actually gluing something.

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  5. Ok seriously, I had NO idea this was possible! Only made from Hot Glue? This is crazy and so cool. Love it!

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  6. Hi, Bethany

    You rock! This turned out great and so inexpensive.

    Vanessa

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  7. I know what my coworkers are getting for christmas this year!!!

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  8. what a great idea :) maybe a fun craft for a classroom with writing their name

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  9. Wow! What a cute idea! You did a beautiful job, they're so pretty! I think I've seen hot glue sticks in colors too. ? I can't remember but if so, there'd be even more option. Thanks so much for sharing your creativity!

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  10. Thanks for sharing! I've been making some toddler friendly ornaments for the bottom of our tree and my daughter will love this one! She loves glitter. My husband will deal. :)

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  11. These are gorgeous! I can't WAIT to make some with the kids!
    xoxo
    Amie @ pinkapotamus

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  12. I LOVE this project...I can't wait to do this. I also have colored glue sticks that could be perfect for a different template. Thanks! Lisa

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  13. Hi Bethany! So cute! I love this tutorial and will be featuring you later tonight on Transformed Tuesday. Hugs, Peggy

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