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