Create Spun Glass Victorian Style Ornaments ~ Instructions and Tips

Project Tutorials >

Create Spun Glass Victorian Style Ornaments ~ Instructions and Tips

Supplies: Spun Glass Halos, Dresden Stars + Frames and Corners, Die-Cut Scraps, Narrow Ribbon or Trim, Clear-Drying Craft Glue, Scissors, Gloves (latex or dish washing), Newspaper or Sheet Paper.

Step 1: Cut apart a mix of Dresden stars, halos, frames, and corners in varying sizes. Do the same for the scrap images.

Step 2: Begin assembling a mix of Dresden pieces and scraps. When pleased with your combination, lay it over a spun glass halo to check placement and adjust if necessary. Glue scraps and Dresdens together before glueing them to the spun glass. Let dry.

Step 3: Put on your gloves and lay out a large sheet of paper to work over.

Step 4: Take your spun glass pieces out of their packages and find which side is the "front". The center glue will be "flattest" on the front and more knobbed on the back.

Step 5: Glue your Dresden and scrap combinations to your halos. Take care to glue carefully but securely in the center of the halo and more delicately toward the edges of the halo. Let dry.

Step 6: Make a hanger by cutting 5" to 6" of ribbon or trim and looping it in half. Glue the loop to the glue knob on the center back of the halo, keep it as flat and compact as possible. Glue a Dresden star or embellishment over the center to hide the trim ends and the glue knob. You may find that lightly bending the Dresden star allows it to curve, making it easier to conform to the glue knob. Let dry.

Tips: Spun glass is just that -- glass. Spun extra thin by skilled glass spinners, these tiny glass filaments can make you itchy. We always wear a pair of latex gloves and work over a sheet of paper that we can fold up and throw away after, so we're sure to catch and collect any stray filaments "shed" from our halos.

Don't be afraid to cut scraps to fit in your frames. You can also cut pieces off larger Dresden embellishment to create custom sizes.

Find images in unexpected places: A set of Santa gift tags fits inside a large frame. Remove the red cord and use a petite Dresden star to cover the hole in the tag.

We used primarily Dresden frames and corners as embellishments to achieve an open and light effect, but you may also find inspiration in this Lace Snowflake project.