DIY Vintage Inspired Diorama Ornaments

by | posted in: Crafting, DIY, Tutorials | 32

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1-DSC_0355Hi guys! Happy Friday! I know for a lot of people it is sacrilege to decorate for Christmas before it’s even Thanksgiving. However, that is exactly what I am doing this weekend! It makes me happy, don’t judge me 😉 One of my favorite things about the holidays and holiday crafting in particular is that my mom and I always make ornaments together. This year I wanted to make some ornaments that were similar to vintage jewel brite’s or vintage diorama ornaments. These do require the use of a dremmel, but other than cutting, they are pretty easy to make! We made a bunch of them in just an afternoon.

Here’s What You Need:

*Plastic Ornaments

*Dremmel Tool fitted with a cutting disk

*Paint

*Mod podge or medium to attach glitter

*Glitter (I used Diamond Dust)

*Cotton Balls

*Toothpick

*Vintage and new miniatures

*Little bottle brush trees

*Hot Glue and Glue Gun

*Pipe Cleaner

*Wire Snippers

*Ribbon or Twine for hanging

Instructions:

04-DSC_0091To start with, draw a line to use as a cutting guide on the front of your ornament. Draw the circle to be about 1/2 to 3/4″ away from the seam in the center of the ornament.

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01-DSC_0099Carefully cut your ornament with the dremmel. Insert the cutting wheel into the cutting line and then carefully follow it around until you reach the other side. Remove the cut front. You will be actually melting the plastic when you cut, so it may stick to itself after you cut, but you will find that you can easily twist it off.

11-DSC_0053Paint the inside of the ornament with your choice of paint. It may take a few coats. Set aside to dry thoroughly.

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09-DSC_0056Paint a layer of decoupage medium on the inside of the ornament, leaving the bottom of the inside clean. Pour a little glitter into the ornament, then swish it around to coat and tap out the excess.

08-DSC_0060Now you need to glue in your minis. Glue them down to the bottom inside of the ornament with hot glue.

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06-DSC_0062To add the snow, you will need cotton balls. Pull the cotton ball apart. Add a little glue to the bottom of the ornament around the minis you glued down. Lay a little cotton onto the glue. Use your toothpick to smoosh the cotton down and around the minis.

05-DSC_0064To finish the cut edge, cut a pipe cleaner to size to fit the opening. Glue the pipe cleaner around the cut edge of the ornament. Snip down the wires in the top of the ornaments if you need to. Put the tops back on. Pliers will definitely help get the wires into the holes in the top. To finish, tie a ribbon or some twine to the loop in the top of the ornament. Now you are ready to hang.

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2-DSC_0352I am so in love with these little ornaments! I had a total blast making them, and I love the vintage charm they add to a tree! I will be selling a few of these in my shop if any of you would like to have one of these fun ornaments on your tree, but don’t want to make them yourself. I hope some of you all will make some of these this Christmas with your favorite crafty partner in crime. You’ll totally love them! I’ll be back next week with more fun holiday crafting! Until then…

Happy Crafting!

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32 Responses

  1. Paula Collins
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    Thank you for the tutorial to make these. That was so sweet! I’m not sure if I am that good with the Dremmel yet, but I do have one!

  4. tammyCA
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    Cute, I adore miniatures & dioramas…I made some like these a few years ago using an xacto knife, I bet the dremel is easier. 🙂

  5. neatokeenetsy
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    These are SO cute…I shared them everywhere I could! xo

  6. deb heisel
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    i just love your whimsy. these sweet ornaments make me smile. what sources do you use to find the miniatures?

  8. Donna
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    LOVE these!!! I’m a little “worried” about the dremel part, but these are so stinkin’ cute, I think I’ll try to conquer my fear & give ’em a whirl! Thanks, as always, for the inspiration!

  15. Janet White
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    Hi Ashlee
    Do you have a source for the bottlebrush trees and miniatures?

  22. Moira
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    Hi Ashlee! I was wondering what kind of paint you used for the inside of the ornament? I tried acrylic paint, but it didn’t work well. 🙁 suggestions welcome! Thanks! Love your blog.

    • My So Called Crafty Life
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      Hi Moira, thank you! So glad you like the blog 🙂 I actually did use an acrylic craft paint. I always use Martha Stewart Brand Satin craft paint made by plaid. I feel like it works really well on a number of surfaces. Hope that helps 🙂