How to Make Paint Filled Christmas Ornaments

For this project you will need a variety of coloredthe areas that you want.  Or if you have a
water based paints, some paint brushes, glass ofspecific design in mind you can use the paint
water, different colored ribbons, glitter (optional),brushes to paint the inside of the ornament with
and empty glass ball ornaments of differentyour design.  One fun way to do this is to paint
shapes and sizes.  The ornaments can besomeone's name on carefully on the inside of the
purchased at any craft store and the tops of theglass ball.  Wait for the paint to dry and then use
ornaments should be removable.  You will alsothe method above with light colored paints to
need a bowl to pour the excess paint into.  Anreally make it stand out.
empty egg carton is a great way to help theBefore pouring out the excess paint add some
ornaments dry without getting paint everywhere.glitter to your ornament to really make it pop. 
Cover your work space with a drop cloth orPut in a few sprinkles of gold or silver glitter and
newspapers to prevent damage or paint spilling. shake the paint around some more.  Once you
Set out your paints, water, ribbons and emptyhave the glitter fully saturated in the ornament
ornaments on your work space.  It is a goodyou can move on to the next step.
idea to have everything in reaching distance toNo matter which painting style you choose tip
make the process easier.your ornament over and drain out as much of
Take one of the glass ornaments and carefullythe excess paint as you can into your bowl. 
open the top.  Remember that the ornament isThen set the ornament upside down in the empty
very fragile.  If you break the glass whileegg carton to help the paint dry completely. 
removing the top it will not be usable.  Take yourWhile your ornament is drying you can start on
time with this step to make sure you don't breakanother one.  Try using different colors and
the ornament.  If you are doing this project withexperimenting with the colors.
kids, it is a good idea to remove all the topsWhen your ornaments are dry it is time to pop
yourself before getting started.the tops back on.  This is another step that
This is when the fun part begins.  Pick a fewneeds to be done carefully.  You don't want to
colors to work with.  Once you have your paintsbreak the ornament that you have put so much
ready put a few drops of each paint color intohard work into.  The tops are most often make
the glass ball.  Swirl the paint around.  You canwith two wire pieces that you can pinch to get
do this quickly and just let the colors mix as theythem back in, but they will open up inside the
want to.  If being more spontaneous sounds likeglass ball.  Be careful to not scratch your paint
your way to do it then put one finger over thewhen doing this.
opening of the ornament and shake.  If the paintChoose one of your colored ribbons to tie to the
is too thick and not spreading add a couple ofornament to give it a special finishing touch.  It is
drops of water to thin out the paint. fun to work with ribbons of different sizes and
If you want a more deliberate look you cantextures too.
slowly swirl the ornament letting the paint cover