Skill Level:
Crafting Time:
Technique(s):
Material(s):
Category:
Tag(s):
Share This Craft
Search Crafts
Ideas to Spruce Up Plain Papier-Mâché Ornaments
![Ideas to Spruce Up Plain Papier-Mâché Ornaments](/images/craftcottage/painted-mache-orn/IMG_5838a.jpg)
Have you ever seen those unfinished papier-mâché ornaments at the craft store and wondered what to do with them? With a little paint, a few shakes of beads & glitter, and your imagination, you’ll turn those drab ornaments into sparkly baubles! Round up your friends and have a painting party after which each person can take home a new ornament. (Pssst… Your kiddos can have fun making this craft, too—with your supervision, of course.)
Supplies & Tools:
![Supplies & Tools](/images/craftcottage/painted-mache-orn/IMG_3346a.jpg)
- Papier-mâché ornaments
- Acrylic craft paint, any color(s) you like
- Paintbrushes
- #11 seed beads, microbeads, and glitter
- Tacky glue
- Toothpick
- Pencil
- Tape
- Paper plate
Directions:
- Lightly draw text or a design onto the papier-mâché ornament using a pencil.
- Paint the ornament as desired. Let dry.
- Apply tacky glue over the text/design. Use a toothpick to spread the glue so that it covers each letter.
Note: You could also use a paint brush, but a toothpick can give you better control. - Working over a paper plate, sprinkle beads over the glue. Gently press the beads into the glue.
- Allow to dry.
Note: For 3D ornaments, use tape to hang it from the edge of the table. - Repeat steps 3–5 if you want to add glitter or any other embellishments.
![Completely cover a papier-mâché ornament with beads.](/images/craftcottage/painted-mache-orn/BeadedAcorn.jpg)
Completely cover it with beads.
![Use pearl and clear beads to make any design you like.](/images/craftcottage/painted-mache-orn/IMG_4575.jpg)
Use pearl and clear beads to make any design you like.
![Paint underneath letters to make them stand out.](/images/craftcottage/painted-mache-orn/IMG_4565a.jpg)
Paint underneath letters to make them stand out. Use pearl paint to draw accent lines. (We used pearl paint that we had on hand: Martha Stewart Crafts glass paint. It has a fine tip applicator which makes it perfect for drawing details.)
![Add extra sparkle to your papier-mâché ornaments with microbeads and glitter.](/images/craftcottage/painted-mache-orn/IMG_5781a.jpg)
Add extra sparkle with microbeads and glitter. Here we used microbeads on the letters and white glitter for snowcaps at the top and bottom of the ornament.
![Ideas to Spruce Up Plain Papier-Mâché Ornaments • Northpole.com Craft Cottage](/images/craftcottage/painted-mache-orn/pin.png)