Handmade Christmas Ornaments with Powertex: Simple to Stunning

Do you have an ornament on your tree that you'd grab first in a fire? Mine are the ones someone made by hand. They're a little lopsided, and they tell a story every December.

This year, make a few of those yourself. Powertex turns a plain foam ball and a scrap of fabric into an ornament that dries rock hard. It won't shatter if the cat knocks it off the tree, and it will still be hanging there when your grandkids have kids of their own.

I've shown this technique in class and on video a few times, and it's still one of my favorite holiday projects. Here's how to start simple and build up from there.

What you'll need

The Heirloom Ornament Bundle gathers the Powertex supplies for this project: the medium, fabric, paper, 3D texture, Stone Art, Bister colors with spray bottles, gold pigment and varnish. You'll provide your own round forms, ribbon, and any extras you'd like to add.

• Any spherical form you have on hand. I prefer Smoothfoam balls because Universal Medium grips the smooth surface beautifully. Regular polystyrene balls work too, but the rough texture takes a little more medium.
• Powertex Universal Medium. Transparent, White, Bronze and Ivory all make lovely ornaments.
• Ribbon or twine for hanging. I love May Arts ribbon, but any ribbon from your stash will work.
• A brush, gloves, and a covered work surface

Here's my starting lineup: Smoothfoam balls in two sizes, a few spools of May Arts ribbon in Christmas colors, and a bottle of Universal Medium. You don't need to match it. Any spherical form will work, and so will any ribbon or twine you already have in your stash. Mixing sizes and ribbons makes a set feel collected rather than store-bought.

Start simple: Universal Medium and fabric

This is the place to begin, especially if you're new to Powertex.

1. Wrap your ribbon or twine around the ball and knot a loop at the top for hanging.
2. Tear Stockinette or Paperdecoration mulberry paper into strips and pieces.
3. Soak each piece in Universal Medium, squeeze out the extra, and wrap it around the ball. Let it fold and drape. Those wrinkles are where your color will catch later.
4. Set it somewhere to dry overnight.

That's it. Once it's dry, you have a hard, textured ornament ready for color.

Add texture: 3D Balls and 3D Sand

Ready for a little more? While the medium is still wet, sprinkle or press on 3D Balls or 3D Sand. They lock right into the medium and give you beautiful little bumps for highlighting. Tuck in bits of lace, cord, or other embellishments the same way. If you can't decide which size to try, the 3D Sand & Balls Sample Pack lets you test them all, and it's included in the bundle.

Go further: Stone Art and Easy 3Dflex

This is where ornaments start to feel like small sculptures.

• Stone Art: Mix Stone Art powder into Universal Medium to make a thick paste. Spread it over your wrapped ball for a carved stone or weathered look.
• Easy 3Dflex: Mix Easy 3Dflex with Universal Medium into a soft clay. Shape leaves, berries, stars, or a tiny bird and press them onto the ornament. It isn't in the bundle, so add Easy 3Dflex to your cart if you want to sculpt.

Mix and match all of it. No two ornaments will ever come out alike, and that's the point.

Finish with color

Once everything is completely dry, start with a little age. Mix Bister powder with water in a fine mist spray bottle and spritz it over the ornament. It runs into every fold and crevice and gives you a warm, antique patina. Let it dry.

Now it's time to dry brush. Mix a little Powertex pigment with Easy Varnish to make your own paint. Dip your brush, then wipe most of the paint off until the brush is almost dry, and sweep it lightly over the raised areas. The 3D Balls, fabric folds, and clay details catch the color and make the whole ornament glow. The varnish also seals your Bister, which is water-reactive on its own.

New to dry brushing? My free Create a Real Bronze Look guide walks you through it, and you'll find more guides in the Resource Library.

Make them with your kids or grandkids

Here's my favorite part: this is a wonderful project to share with the little artists in your life. Kids love the squishy, messy wrapping stage, and there's no wrong way to do it. Put on aprons and gloves, cover the table, and let everyone make their own.

Write each artist's name and the year on the bottom. Years from now, someone will unwrap that ornament and remember exactly who made it.

Stock up for your holiday making

Free ground shipping is on for orders over $150 through December 31, and the Heirloom Ornament Bundle qualifies all on its own. It's a great time to fill your studio for the season.

Want to keep creating with me? Join me in a class, online or in person here in Maine.

Living The Art Life™
Cheryl