On Making a Vintage Look-Alike Snowman Ornament



When looking through one’s family ornaments, there are often ones that bring about the feeling that it would easy to make one or at least one similar to the original. And, thus, because of this, we have today’s post on how to make a snowman ornament that looks like these vintage ones.


 Mr. Clown and Santa (who unfortunately took a tear inducing tumble yesterday and is in need of a new vintage ornament body)
 

Vintage Look-Alike Snowman

Supplies

ªMedium sized glass ball ornament

ª Small glass ball ornament (the size used on miniature trees)

ª Cardboard (corrugated is best)

ªCraft glue*

ªA white or black pipe cleaner

ªBlack felt (the stiff type since this will be for the hat)

ªFelt of any color (for scarf and mittens)

ªSingle strand of embroidery floss and needle

ªWhite, black, and orange acrylic paint and paint brush

ªGlitter (optional)

ªSmall piece of green feather (optional)

ªThree red seed beads (optional)

*For securing the pipe cleaner and ornament to the base and attaching the ornaments together, hot glue can be used for an extra strong and quick drying hold. I would not recommend using hot glue for any of the other steps, though as everything is on too small a scale.  

Instructions

Making the base

1.       Cut a circle about two inches in diameter from the cardboard and paint it white. It you want it to be sparkly add glitter while the paint is still wet!

2.       Take the pipe cleaner and wrap just enough of it around your index finger to form a ring. Remove it from your finger and cut off the extra amount. (If you want your snowman to have feet, make two smaller rings.) 

3.       Take the ring and glue it to the center of the cardboard base. This will keep your ornament stabilized.

 

Building the body

4.       Take the larger ornament and very carefully remove the metal top and loop.

5.       Glue the ornament to the pipe cleaner on base with the top facing upward. This will serve as the neck and provide something to balance the head on!

 

6.       Take the smaller ornament and glue it to the neck with the metal loop facing upward.

7.       If you want your snowman to have arms, cut two pieces off the remaining pipe cleaner and glue them flat against the sides.

Dressing the Snowman

                The scarf and mittens

 

8.      To make the scarf cut a piece of felt that is 4 ¼” by ¾”. Make the fringe by cutting small slits about ½” in on the ends.

9.        Put glue around the neck of the ornament and wrap the scarf around it overlapping the ends making sure to glue them to the ornament as well.

10.   Cut out tiny mittens and glue them to the side or the arms

The hat-measurements may vary on this part so before gluing anything make sure you check the height of the strip that forms the hat to ensure it is at least as high or higher than the loop for hanging the ornament. 

11.    Using the black felt cut out a small circle (about 1 ¼” or 1 ½”) for the hat brim that is slightly larger than the diameter of the ornament being used for the head. Cut a hole in the center of it so the top of the ornament can poke through and it can rest nicely on the head12.    Cut a strip of felt about ¾” wide and 3 ¼” long. Roll it to make it the right size to fit the hat rim and glue the overlapping ends.

13.    Glue the part that makes up the hat to the hat brim. This part can be a bit tricky because you want enough glue to keep the pieces together, but don’t want it oozing out.

Steps 13 and 14

 

14.    Cut a 9 inch piece of thread and fold it in half at the middle so you have a loop at the end.  Take the end with the loop and thread it through the ornament hanging loop. Put the other end of the thread through the loop and pull so the thread is securely attached to the ornament.

15.    Take the hat piece and place it (don’t glue it) on the snowman’s head, making sure to have the thread coming out through the top.

16.    Glue the rim and hat piece to the head.

17.    Cut another small circle to make the top of the hat. Do NOT glue it on yet!!!

Step 18

 

18.   Thread the needle with the loose ends. Taking the top of the hat pull the needle through the center. Remove needle and tie a double knot in the thread at the length desired, so you’ll now have something to hang the ornament with.

19.    Glue the top of the hat to the main hat piece making sure the overlap is at the back.

 

Finishing Details

20.       Paint on eyes, nose, mouth, buttons, and any other details you might want to include.

21.      

22.      Hang it on the tree and enjoy! ♥