Glitter ornaments are so extremely simple but they look they took hours to make. Without a doubt, glitter ornaments are some of the easiest handmade ornaments but there are a few different ways to make them. You can also go the extra step ofadding vinyl to personalize the ornament.
I tried out two different ways to make glitter ornaments and today I’m going to share my findings with you. Which will produce a better ornament? Polycrylic or floor polish?
Many people use a floor cleaner or wax, such as Mop & Glo, to make the glitter ornaments while others use polycrylic.
I tried out both ways and here’s what I have decided:
Mop & Glo or floor polish:
Easiest way to make them. The liquid is thin and much easier to work with.
Quickest method. There’s no waiting time.
Less Coverage. The entire surface of the ornament will be covered but you’re more likely to have thin areas of coverage.
Less Glitter. This method uses less glitter but it comes with less coverage.
Less Shine.
Doesn’t always hold permanently. Some people have reported that the glitter will eventually let go of the glass ornament. I haven’t experienced it but it’s worth noting.
Polycrylic:
A little bit harder to get perfect but still easy.
Requires more time as the polycrylic takes more time to set up.
Permanent hold.
Amazing coverage. You won’t see any light spots of glitter with this method.
Shinier with bolder colors, even when using the same color of glitter.
I weighed the pros and cons of each method and in the end, using polycrylic to make the glitter ornaments won out based on the coverage and shine. If I’m going to use glitter, I want it to shine like the top of the Empire State Building and you definitely get that with polycrylic.
I would say that I want an ornament that will last but since we’re on our third broken ornament of the season, that’s not likely.
To make this glitter ornament using polycrylic you simply need a clear ornament, polycrylic and fine glitter.
You can find polycrylic at any home improvement store for about $9 for a small can. I’ve made about 10 ornaments now with polycrylic and I haven’t even put a dent into the can. You can make a lot of ornaments with this one can or use it for other projects.
Simply pour a small amount into the ornament and swirl it around to coat all of the sides.
Here’s where the difference between using polycrylic and floor polish sets in when it comes to time. If you use floor polish the extra liquid easily pours out and you are ready to add the glitter immediately.
Polycrylic is thicker and takes a little more time to get all the sides well coated. Then you have to let all of the extra drip out.
Once you have all the visible excess out of the ornament, turn the glass ball upside down on paper or aluminum foil and leave it alone for a minute or so. You’ll be surprised how much more comes out.
If you’re using floor polish than you can skip this step.
If you don’t get all of the excess out with the polycrylic than your glitter will drip down the inside of the ball with the wet polycrylic and you won’t have even coverage.
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Once it’s evenly coated on the inside and there are no visible drips you can add your glitter.
This is one of the best parts. There are so many colors of fine glitter than you can choose from now. You don’t have to worry about not finding the colors that you want for your Christmas tree anymore!
Pour some glitter inside your ornament and rotate it to cover all the sides. I lightly tap it against the palm of my hand to make sure that any loose glitter will find a spot to adhere.
Keep turning and rotating it until you can’t see any spots without glitter. Add more glitter to the inside of the glass ball if you need to.
It’s so quick and so pretty when it’s finished.
Carefully add the top of the ornament and it’s ready to hang. Or if you want to make it really special you can add vinyl decorations to personalize the ornament such as this Harry Potter ornament that I made my husband for the geek Christmas tree in his man cave. They HP ornaments go well with our cinnamon dough Star Wars ornaments.
The polycrylic to me just looks better but it is hard to see the difference in pictures. If you’re wanting to do this craft with a group of friends or at a Christmas party, I would use the floor polish for ease and timing. However, if you want an ornament that is going to be a family heirloom or that will stand out with its bold colors, I recommend using polycrylic like I did when I made these amazing Mermaid glitter Christmas ornaments.
Hopefully, now you’ll be able to make some amazing looking Christmas ornaments that you will love.
Many people use a floor cleaner or wax, such as Mop & Glo, to make the glitter ornaments while others use polycrylic. I tried out both ways and here's what I have decided: Mop & Glo or floor polish: Easiest way to make them.
If you want to stick and seal glitter onto fabric, we suggest using Aleene's permanent fabric glue. If you are adding glitter to an old pair of shoes, glass, wood, or almost any other surface, we suggest using mod podge. Mod podge is highly effective and keeps your glitter firmly in place.
If glitter rubs off a Christmas ornament then stop it from happening by coating it with a thin layer or spray on glue or hairspray. You can use these items to add extra protection and prevent the glitter from rubbing off in the first place.
You can also get them made of glass or shatterproof (a fancy word for plastic). MINWAX POLYCRYLIC – this is the stuff that you will put inside the ornament to get the glitter to stick. You will most likely need to go to a hardware/home improvement store to get this – it's usually in the paint aisle.
I recommend at least 24 hours! The longer you let them sit the better though. I like to set mine upside down in an egg carton for a week so that the polycrylic can dry and the glitter can set.
After removing the tops, squirt the Quick Shine Floor Finish into the Christmas balls and swirl around to coat the inside and pour the excess out into a cup. Fold a piece of paper into a funnel, insert in the Christmas ball and pour a few tablespoons of glitter in and swirl around to coat the inside of the ball.
While there are several mediums that will work well for making glitter ornaments, we opted to use a satin polyurethane. Poly is a staple in our DIY stash as we love refinishing furniture. This water based formula is easy to work with and won't yellow over time.
Vacuum, dust or wipe with a lightly dampened mop – never use soap-based detergents, as they can leave a dull film on the floor, and avoid over-wetting. Don't use wax polish either, as this will make the floor slippery. To remove marks and stains, use a dilute solution of water and vinegar.
Let me give you the short answer to the question “does Mod Podge dry clear?”: YES! Mod Podge looks milky in the bottle, but when applied properly, it dries completely clear.
Then spray a light coat of hairspray overtop of the glitter. Use unscented hairspray if you can. Allow the hairspray to dry completely before you wear the clothing item. Hairspray is a great, quick fix, but overtime it doesn't hold up, though you can reapply hairspray when you need to.
Paint the item you want to cover in a thin, even coat of Mod Podge and shake over your glitter until the item is covered. Leave this to dry completely.
To help preserve your finished dried ornaments, you can coat with a layer or two of Mod Podge or spray with a sealer. Either work well. I'd recommend coating or sealing both sides, so do one side and let it dry, and then do the second side.
You can apply Sparkle Mod Podge just as you would any other Mod Podge formula; however, I will say that I typically use Mod Podge Gloss to adhere paper and then top coat with the Sparkle. This is because there are glitter particles in this formula that can prevent paper from being completely smooth.
Sanding smooths it out and allows you to get a buttery soft finish. Paint doesn't raise the grain of the wood, so I typically do not sand between coats of polycrylic over paint. What is this? However, if it feels rough to the touch after a coat of polycrylic, you can sand it with 400 grit sandpaper to make it smooth.
Is Polycrylic Waterproof? Polycrylic resists damage from water and can be cleaned with soap and water. However, it is not as resistant to water and high temperature as polyurethane so it's not recommended to use on outdoor projects.
If you don't sand between coats of polycrylic, the first coat will be pestered with dust particles and grain, causing the topcoat to not cling to the base coat properly. Furthermore, you will notice uneven application instead of a smooth surface.
Try using some toothpaste: Take a small amount of toothpaste in a dish and start gently rubbing it in the silver jewellery using a sponge or a baby brush. Make sure to not put in a lot of pressure while doing so. Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a soft cloth. The toothpaste helps in removing the tarnish.
Oil is the secret for glitter to float in the water. Add ultra-fine Bioglitter™ using a plastic funnel. Use as much glitter as desired but remember that too much of it can clump together and stick to the bottom.
Multiple layers of clear acrylic spray will not only seal in glitter but will give your item a glossy look. To avoid your glittered piece from looking glossy, purchase an acrylic coating that has a matte finish.
To ½ cup of water in the spray bottle, add a ½ cup of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar of the equal amount to water in the bottle and mix properly. With this simple method, you do not need to struggle with how to clean and shine laminates using expensive but wrong products while you can make your own.
If you don't have rubbing alcohol or don't want to use it, then the vinegar and water will suffice. You just have to pour half of the white vinegar and half of the warm water into a spray bottle. This is an inexpensive solution that works well in bringing shine to your floors.
Since vinegar is an acid, it will actually break down the finish on the surface of your floor, and over time it will reduce the shine, and leave a dull appearance. Using vinegar and water to clean floors can also lead to an excessive amount of water on the floor, which can cause swelling and discoloration.
For sealant options, you can use either glue, mod podge, or glitter sealant spray for the best results. You can also mix some glitter directly into a small amount of glue or mod podge to create your own glitter glues and paints.
Polycrylic is another name for acrylic sealer. Sealing glitter with polycrylic is no different than using any other type of sealer. Remember to use a glossy polycrylic sealer for the most sparkle, then apply it by following the steps above.
Mod Podge over the top of the glitter with a formula like Sparkle Mod Podge or Super Gloss.
Spray with a clear acrylic sealer made for glitter. The consensus is that Krylon makes the best, the favorite being their Glitter Blast clear spray. Use something shiny!
Simple and easy to use, all you have to do is sprinkle the glitter into any Polyurethane or Epoxy Resin and you'll get a dazzling effect, not to mention a…
Paint the item you want to cover in a thin, even coat of Mod Podge and shake over your glitter until the item is covered. Leave this to dry completely.
Hobby: Flower arranging, Yo-yoing, Tai chi, Rowing, Macrame, Urban exploration, Knife making
Introduction: My name is Madonna Wisozk, I am a attractive, healthy, thoughtful, faithful, open, vivacious, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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