Carolyn Vosburg-Hall - Christmas Ornaments

Handmade ornaments are a delight to make, a joy to give, and a pleasure to hang on your Christmas tree.

When you open that box of Christmas tree ornaments, memories of all the delights of the season come popping out. All of your decorations, especially the handmade ones, can embody warm personal messages. Who doesn't have a collection of special ones your child's handprint in plaster, a glued macaroni star, or an elegant hand-sewn Santa? Making your own ornaments gives you the pleasure of creation, lasting decorations for your tree, and treasured gifts for friends.

All ages, from kids to grandmas, will find pleasure in making their own ornaments. Children like to use easy, quick materials and techniques to make ornaments. Artists use their more technical skills to make them from blown, fused, or stained glass; engraved gold or silver metals; modeled and fired clay; or carved wood. The skill level required for most projects in this book fits in between. They focus on readily available materials and show doable techniques. Some take a half hour to make while others, like the Japanese Temari ball, could takes hours and hours. Not to worry, this gives you more time to contemplate how pleased the recipient of your gift ornament will be.

Christmas is celebrated in many lands and many ways. Knowing some of this lore makes the theme of each Christmas ornament more interesting. Some of these traditions are ancient ones that include such icons as evergreen trees, wreaths, mistletoe, candles, bells, and holly. Some feature religious symbols such as crches, angels, and guiding stars. Others show more recent themes such as Santas, stockings, toys, gingerbread houses, and elves. No ornament shape is more enduring than colorful balls in many styles, and none symbolizes Christmas more than a star on top of the tree.

This small cone-shaped tree is made from pinecones that were gathered outside and spray-painted a festive metallic gold. Designed by Phyllis Zacherle.

Along with these bits of traditional lore, you'll find full-color photos of each ornament, lists of materials, patterns, illustrations, and instructions to make them. So collect your box of supplies beads, ribbons, fabrics, chenille stems, sequins, and shiny papers and let's begin.