Handmade Christmas Ornaments + Blog Hop!

Here at Occasionally Crafty we are very DIY, and when it comes to the holidays you can't get more DIY than making your own ornaments!  Today I'm teaming up with Diana from The Girl Creative, and close to 40 other bloggers to share our handmade ornaments!

I really enjoy making ornaments for teacher gifts around the holidays, but I always am trying to find something that is easy on the wallet and can be mass produced easily. I actually had so many things I wanted to try that I couldn't narrow it down to just one. Today you get 4 {four!} ornaments from me and two of those include a little tutorial! First up are these darling Shower Curtain Ring Wreaths! You heard me... made from shower curtain rings!

These are super simple and customizable! Here are the materials you need:

• Shower curtain rings (I got mine at Dollar Tree- 12 in a pack!)
• Yarn/pipe cleaners
• Hot glue
• Embellishments like bells, ribbon, pom poms, whatever you desire!

You really just wrap the shower curtain ring with yarn until it looks nice and thick like a wreath! Hot glue the start of your yarn to the ring, and once you're done wrapping, cut and seal with a little more glue, keeping all glued parts to the back. I experimented with different patterns and thickness for different results. I was also digging through my craft box where I found some sparkly pipe cleaners that were PERFECT for wrapping the rings, no glue needed.

Next is the Bottle Cap Snowman!

These ornaments are a perfect gift for teachers, and the kids can help you make them!

I purchased plain bottle caps online, spray painted them white and hot glued them together with a strip of ribbon down the back that also serves as the hanger. Embellish as you like! So easy!

The next handmade ornament is one we handed out to children in our church as a Christmas gift. 

We have over 120 kids so we needed something that wasn't going to break the bank. We each took turns using 40% coupons at the craft stores to buy wooden doll pegs and a pack of wooden stars and crafting wire to complete the look. The baby was made from a regular size peg that was sawed just above the leg split. Add a little twine for a bow and a hanger and you've got a sweet remembrance of the true meaning of Christmas.

Last but not least are some awesome Sprinkled Glass Bulbs!

I'm sure you all have see the glitter glass bulbs, right? I still want to make some of those, but I saw these on Pinterest and had to try it out. I love the look of the sprinkles because it reminds me of the Christmas cookies we make every year!

Here's what you need:

• Glass bulbs- I used smaller ones, but any size will work. In fact plastic may work too
• Varnish- this will be your sticky stuff!
• Funnel
• Sprinkles

After you remove the cap from your glass bulb, place about 1 TBSP of varnish in your glass bulb. Turn it around in your hand until the entire inside is coated.

Turn the bulbs upside down in dixie cups to let the varnish dry and become tacky. Wait at least 30 minutes. For me an hour was good amount of time. You don't want the varnish to still be so wet that nothing sticks. It will create a big mess!

Once the varnish has had time to dry, use your funnel to add your sprinkles. Swish it around until all your bulb is covered! I can't wait to try this with other sprinkles.These would be so cute for birthdays and other holidays too! 

I hope you found something you can create and enjoy! Don't forget to check out the rest of the Handmade Ornaments that are part of the blog hop today!

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