Sparkling Snowflake Ornament

By: Kathleen George for STYROFOAM Brand Foam

Make your tree sparkle with a Sparkling Snowflake Ornament. Use paints and pearls to create the perfect combination of fun and class. Handmade Christmas ornament ideas help you get in the holiday spirit while still saving money for presents. This is also a great holiday gift idea, so be sure and make one for someone you love. Homemade Christmas ornament often become keepsakes, so be sure to add personal touches that last forever. This ornament will practically jump off of your tree thanks to the saturation of glitter and sparkles.

Materials:

STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam Ball, 4"
Sheer iridescent or metallic wire-edged ribbon, 1/2" to 5/8" wide, 20" length
Blue acrylic paint
Faux pearl beads (optional, see instructions)
Ultrafine iridescent glitter
Bright white printer paper (lightweight)
Acrylic spackling
Ruler
Wooden skewer
Soft paintbrush
Palette knife, 1"
Small disposable bowl
Disposable palette
Water basin
Circle templates, 2" and 3"
Fine sandpaper
Paper towels
Scissors
Straight pins (optional, see instructions)
Découpage medium
Thick, white craft glue
Low-temperature iron (optional)

Instructions:

Place small amount of spackling into disposable bowl and mix well with palette knife until smooth. Add tiny bit of water if spackling seems too thick.
Insert wooden skewer into bottom of foam ball. Holding skewer, use palette knife to apply even coat of spackling to surface of ball. Place in heavy glass or jar to dry. Lightly sand surface until smooth.
Apply second coat of spackling, if desired; let dry and sand surface. Wipe surface with damp paper towel to remove dust. Paint ball blue; let dry.
Cut several 2"-3" circles from white paper. Fold each circle in half, then in half again. Cut each circle into a snowflake design. To remove folds, lightly press each snowflake with low-temperature iron. Glue snowflakes to ball.
Holding skewer handle, brush light, even coat of découpage medium over surface of ball. While wet, sprinkle ball with glitter; shake off excess.
If desired, use craft pins and dots of glue to attach faux pearl beads to center and tips of paper snowflakes; let dry. Remove skewer from ball.
Cut 8" ribbon length and knot ends for hanger. Glue and insert knot into hole left by skewer. Tie remaining ribbon into loopy bow and glue to base of hanger.