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These shimmering acorn ornaments are easy and fun to make using simple techniques and just a few supplies. Make a matching set or customize each to be unique. If you're new to working with deco beads, this is a great project to familiarize yourself with a new and versatile way of adding shimmer.
How to apply deco beads and assemble a larger acorn ornament:
Supplies: Spun Cotton Acorns, Tiny Tinsel Chenille, Velvet Leaves, Deco Beads, Clear-drying Glue (like Elmer's or Alleen's Tacky Glue), Scissors, Paints, Paint Brushes (one for paint + one for glue + one to keep dry), Pipe cleaners or Skewers, Toothpicks, Spoon, Small Bowl or Muffin Tin Liners
Step 1: Paint acorns using a skewer or pipe cleaner as a handle and let dry. We used a mix of metallic paints by Martha Stewart Crafts and painted pieces a variety of ways -- two-tone, mottled, three-tone, darker cap + lighter nut, etc.
Step 2: Add deco beads to cap. We used larger deco beads for the cap for texture and differentiation. Paint a thin and even coat of glue on the acorn cap and down slightly under the lip. Working over a small bowl or muffin tin liner, use a spoon to add deco beads evenly to glue, tap gently so excess falls into bowl and can be reserved for future use. Allow to dry completely. Brush with dry paint brush to remove any loose beads.
Step 3: Add deco beads to lower portion. We used the finest size deco beads on the lower area. Paint a thin and even coat of glue on remainder of acorn. Working over a bowl again, use the same spooning technique to apply the deco beads. The finest deco beads look like fine powdered sugar and it will look like a lot has been applied. Allow to dry completely then brush with a dry brush, again reserving the excess. Dry brush well to reveal the thin layer of fine deco beads left on the acorn -- it will look subtly frosted.
Step 4: Add a hanger and leaf. Cut a 5" piece of chenille tinsel cord and bend in half to make a loop hanger. Trim leaf stem leaving a 3/4" to 1" wire section. Apply glue into the hole on top of the acorn. Use a toothpick to push about 1/2" of the hanger in to the hole and glue. Add wire end of leaf into hole. Let dry completely. Bend leaf into desired position.
Take your acorns to the next level:
To achieve a dappled cap, try mixing different colors of similarly sized deco beads. The center photo below shows a close up view of 1mm deco beads in Clear Yellow + Clear Brown + Clear Black + Metallic Bronze. This mix gives a textured and varied look reminiscent of a real acorn. The finished acorns in the left and right photos show this mix applied over caps that were first painted Gold.
How to assemble an acorn cluster ornament:
Step 1: Stack 3 leaves and twist stems together 3-4 times just above leaves.
Step 2: Bend piece of wire in half and place around 1 piece of stem. Continue twisting leaf stems until twist measures about 1-1/2" from base of leaves.
Step 3: Wrap twisted stems around paint brush handle to make a loop hanger. Wrap 3 stems around top of leaves 2-3 times to secure loop hanger, taking care to leave the two added wire ends free. You will end up with 5 wire ends: 3 longer and 2 shorter.
Step 4: Arrange wire ends with 2 shorter near top and 3 longer evenly below.
Step 5: Curl ends of wire up about 1/4" and try placing small acorns on wire ends to determine best length. Adjust as needed. We grouped two acorns close to the loop hanger and 3 more acorns below.
Step 6: Glue in place when pleased with acorn placement. Let dry. Re-position leaves as desired.
Tips and color combinations:
- The trick to applying deco beads successfully is all in how the glue is applied: a thin and even coat applied to an area once and allowed to dry completely after deco beads are added. Trying to go back a second time and add more usually results in uneven lumpiness.
- Clear Orange deco beads will allow a little of the color underneath to show through. Apply over light and medium colors for more brightness; apply over darker colors for more depth.
- Larger acorns look best with larger deco beads on the cap for texture and the finest deco beads on the nut portion. Smaller acorns look best with finest deco beads all over or smaller deco beads on just the cap.
- To achieve a unique look choose 3 paint colors in light, medium and dark. Paint the cap in a dappled mix of dark + medium and paint the rest a dappled mix of medium + light. The result will be a subtle ombre look like acorn B below.
- Metallic and Pearl paint colors from Martha Stewart Crafts we used: Gold, Rose Chrome, Copper, Rose Copper, Scallion, Rust, Pale Bronze
- So many combinations of paints + deco beads + leaves + tinsel hangers are possible. 9 of our favorites are detailed below.
Style A: Acorn SC203. Painted Rust on cap + Copper below. Deco beads in Metallic Brown .5mm on cap + Clear Frost .1mm below. Tinsel cord in Pale Green/White/Silver. Leaves NLC108 in Autumn Ombre + Sage Green.
Style B: Acorn SC203. Painted Rust + Pale Bronze on cap and Pale Bronze + Scallion below. Deco beads in Clear .5mm on cap + Clear Frost .1mm below. Tinsel cord in Yellow/White/Silver. Leaves NLC108 in Pale Gold + Pale Green.
Style C: Acorn SC228. Gold on cap + Scallion below. Deco beads in Metallic Gold .5mm on cap only. Leaves NLC108 in Sage Green.
Style D: Acorn SC203. Painted Rust on cap + Rose Copper below. Deco beads in Clear Brown 1mm on cap + Clear Frost .1mm below. Tinsel cord in Old Gold/Gold. Leaf NLC108 in Pale Green.
Style E: Acorn SC228. Rust on cap + Copper below. Deco beads in Metallic Brown .5mm on cap + Clear Frost .1mm below. Leaves NLC108 in Autumn Ombre.
Style F: Acorn SC203. Painted Rust on cap + Gold below. Deco beads mix of 1mm sizes in Clear Yellow + Clear Brown + Clear Black + Metallic Bronze on cap + Clear Frost .1mm below. Tinsel cord in Yellow/White/Silver. Leaf NLC108 in Pale Green.
Style G: Acorn SC228. Dappled painting style all over in mixes of Rust, Rose Copper, Copper and Scallion. Deco beads in Clear Frost .1mm all over. Leaves NLC108 in Sage Green.
Style H: Acorn SC203. Dappled painting style all over in mix of Rust, Rose Copper, Copper and Scallion. Deco beads in Clear .5mm on cap + Clear Frost .1mm below. Tinsel cord in Old Gold/Gold. Leaf NLC108 in Sage Green.
Style I: Acorn SC203. Dappled painting style all over in mix of Rust, Rose Copper, Copper and Scallion. Deco beads in Clear .5mm on cap + Clear Orange .1mm below. Tinsel cord in Old Gold/Gold. Leaf NLC108 in Pale Gold.
Item No. WR04
Pack of approximately 150 craft wires with 0.6mm thickness wire wrapped in brown paper. Each wire is 8" long and ideal for use in adding stems to small leaves and spun cotton shapes, crafting and floristic projects. Can be cut with wire cutters to create custom lengths.
Item No. WR02
Pack of approximately 150 craft wires with 0.6mm thickness wire wrapped in green paper. Each wire is 8" long and ideal for use in adding stems to small leaves and spun cotton shapes, crafting and floristic projects. Can be cut with wire cutters to create custom lengths.
Item No. CT403
5 yards of light green and white chenille and silver tinsel cording wound on a card. This soft and supple cording measures a tiny 1/8" wide overall. Made from rayon and tinsel. Made especially for us in the USA.Has a beautiful vintage look and makes a lovely embellishment for extra special craft projects, a garland for miniature Christmas trees and a tie for gifts.
Item No. WR03
Pack of approximately 150 craft wires with 0.6mm thickness wire wrapped in white paper. Each wire is 8" long and ideal for use in adding stems to small leaves and spun cotton shapes, crafting and floristic projects. Can be cut with wire cutters to create custom lengths.
Item No. CT408
5 yards of yellow and white chenille and silver tinsel cording wound on a card. This soft and supple cording measures a tiny 1/8" wide overall. Made from rayon and tinsel. Made especially for us in the USA.
Item No. CT412
5 yards of green and white chenille and silver tinsel cording wound on a card. This soft and supple cording measures a tiny 1/8" wide overall. Made from rayon and tinsel. Made especially for us in the USA.Has a beautiful vintage look and makes a lovely embellishment for extra special craft projects, a garland for miniature Christmas trees and a tie for gifts.
Item No. CT416
5 yards of orange and white chenille and silver tinsel cording wound on a card. This soft and supple cording measures a tiny 1/8" wide overall. Made from rayon and tinsel. Made especially for us in the USA.
Item No. CT417
5 yards of peach and white chenille and silver tinsel cording wound on a card. This soft and supple cording measures a tiny 1/8" wide overall. Made from rayon and tinsel. Made especially for us in the USA.
Item No. CT406
5 yards of red and green chenille and gold tinsel cording wound on a card. This soft and supple cording measures a tiny 1/8" wide overall. Made from rayon and tinsel. Made especially for us in the USA.
Item No. CT405
5 yards of red and green chenille and silver tinsel cording wound on a card. This soft and supple cording measures a tiny 1/8" wide overall. Made from rayon and tinsel. Made especially for us in the USA.
Item No. CT402
5 yards of tiger stripe chenille tinsel cording wound on a card -- orange and black chenille and silver tinsel. This soft and supple cording measures a tiny 1/8" wide overall. Made from rayon and tinsel. Made especially for us in the USA.Has a beautiful vintage look and makes a lovely embellishment for extra special craft projects, a garland for miniature Christmas trees and a tie for gifts.
Item No. CT304
5 yards of burgundy chenille and silver tinsel cording wound on a card. This soft and supple cording measures a tiny 1/8" wide overall. Made from rayon and tinsel. Made especially for us in the USA.
Item No. CT314
5 yards of old gold chenille and gold tinsel cording wound on a card. This soft and supple cording measures a tiny 1/8" wide overall. Made from rayon and tinsel. Made especially for us in the USA.
Item No. NLC108-ORG
Set of 12 petite embossed velvet oak leaves in autumn ombre -- orange to brown fade. Each leaf measures 2" long by 1" wide with 3" brown paper wrapped wire stem. Handmade in the Czech Republic exclusively for us.
Item No. NLC108-BR
Set of 12 petite embossed velvet oak leaves in brown. Each leaf measures 2" long by 1" wide with 3" brown paper wrapped wire stem. Handmade in the Czech Republic exclusively for us.
Item No. NLC108-G
Set of 12 petite embossed velvet oak leaves in dark green. Each leaf measures 2" long by 1" wide with 3" brown paper wrapped wire stem. Handmade in the Czech Republic exclusively for us.
Item No. NLC108-MG
Set of 12 petite embossed velvet oak leaves in medium green. Each leaf measures 2" long by 1" wide with 3" brown paper wrapped wire stem. Handmade in the Czech Republic exclusively for us.
Item No. NLC108-LG
Set of 12 petite embossed velvet oak leaves in pale green. Each leaf measures 2" long by 1" wide with 3" brown paper wrapped wire stem. Handmade in the Czech Republic exclusively for us.
Item No. NLC108-STG
Set of 12 petite embossed velvet oak leaves in sage green. Each leaf measures 2" long by 1" wide with 3" brown paper wrapped wire stem. Handmade in the Czech Republic exclusively for us.
Item No. NLC108-LAC-MX
Bundle of 21 embossed paper oak leaves that have been lacquered in pretty jewel tones. Bundle contains 3 leaves each of red, brown, golden yellow, green, orange, sage green and eggplant purple for a total of 21 leaves.Leaves are stiff and not bendable. Each leaf measures 2" long by 1" wide with 4" brown paper wrapped wire stems. Handmade in the Czech Republic: each leaf has been cut and embossed with vintage dies, then hand dipped ...(click for more)
Item No. NLC108-LAC-BR
Bundle of 12 embossed paper oak leaves that have been lacquered a pretty shade of brown. Leaves are stiff and not bendable. Each leaf measures 2" long by 1" wide with 4" brown paper wrapped wire stems. Handmade in the Czech Republic: each leaf has been cut and embossed with vintage dies, then hand dipped in lacquer.
Item No. NLC108-LAC-GY
Bundle of 12 embossed paper oak leaves that have been lacquered a pretty shade of golden yellow. Leaves are stiff and not bendable. Each leaf measures 2" long by 1" wide with 4" brown paper wrapped wire stems. Handmade in the Czech Republic: each leaf has been cut and embossed with vintage dies, then hand dipped in lacquer.
Item No. NLC108-LAC-GR
Bundle of 12 embossed paper oak leaves that have been lacquered a pretty shade of green. Leaves are stiff and not bendable. Each leaf measures 2" long by 1" wide with 4" brown paper wrapped wire stems. Handmade in the Czech Republic: each leaf has been cut and embossed with vintage dies, then hand dipped in lacquer.
Item No. NLC108-LAC-OR
Bundle of 12 embossed paper oak leaves that have been lacquered a pretty shade of autumn orange. Leaves are stiff and not bendable. Each leaf measures 2" long by 1" wide with 4" brown paper wrapped wire stems. Handmade in the Czech Republic: each leaf has been cut and embossed with vintage dies, then hand dipped in lacquer.
Item No. NLC108-LAC-PU
Bundle of 12 embossed paper oak leaves that have been lacquered a pretty shade of eggplant purple. Leaves are stiff and not bendable. Each leaf measures 2" long by 1" wide with 4" brown paper wrapped wire stems. Handmade in the Czech Republic: each leaf has been cut and embossed with vintage dies, then hand dipped in lacquer.
Item No. NLC108-LAC-R
Bundle of 12 embossed paper oak leaves that have been lacquered a pretty shade of red. Leaves are stiff and not bendable. Each leaf measures 2" long by 1" wide with 4" brown paper wrapped wire stems. Handmade in the Czech Republic: each leaf has been cut and embossed with vintage dies, then hand dipped in lacquer.
Item No. NLC108-LAC-SGR
Bundle of 12 embossed paper oak leaves that have been lacquered a pretty shade of sage green. Leaves are stiff and not bendable. Each leaf measures 2" long by 1" wide with 4" brown paper wrapped wire stems. Handmade in the Czech Republic: each leaf has been cut and embossed with vintage dies, then hand dipped in lacquer.
Item No. NLC108-GF
Set of 12 petite embossed oak leaves in metallic pale gold foil paper. Each leaf measures 2" long by 1" wide with 3" white paper wrapped wire stem. Leaf backs are white paper. Handmade in the Czech Republic. Please note that there may be some creasing or very light color loss from the manufacturing process.
Item No. NLC108-SF
Set of 12 petite embossed oak leaves in metallic silver foil paper. Each leaf measures 2" long by 1" wide with 3" white paper wrapped wire stem. Leaf backs are white paper. Handmade in the Czech Republic. Please note that there may be some creasing or very light color loss from the manufacturing process.
Item No. NLC108-GRF
Set of 12 petite embossed oak leaves in metallic green foil paper. Each leaf measures 2" long by 1" wide with 3" paper wrapped wire stems. Leaf backs are white paper. Handmade in the Czech Republic. Please note that there may be some creasing or very light color loss from the manufacturing process.
Item No. NLC108PM
Set of 12 petite embossed paper oak leaves in golden ombre with orange tips and green highlights. Each leaf measures 2" long by 1" wide with 3" white paper wrapped wire stem. Handmade in the Czech Republic exclusively for us.
Item No. DB-1mm-CBLK
German glass deco beads in Clear Black. Bead size is 1mm which is an ideal size for creating a dewy or bumpy look on spun cotton fruit. Deco beads are made of tiny round smooth glass beads with no holes that have then been colored. They are traditionally used for embellishing Christmas ornaments, garland beads, spun cotton, and stamen but can also be applied to paper crafts and used as a substitute for glitter.This listing is...(click for more)
Item No. DB-1mm-CBR
German glass deco beads in Clear Brown. Bead size is 1mm which is an ideal size for creating a dewy or bumpy look on spun cotton fruit. Deco beads are made of tiny round smooth glass beads with no holes that have then been colored. They are traditionally used for embellishing Christmas ornaments, garland beads, spun cotton, and stamen but can also be applied to paper crafts and used as a substitute for glitter.This listing is for 2...(click for more)
Item No. DB-1mm-CYEL
German glass deco beads in Clear Yellow. Bead size is 1mm which is an ideal size for creating a dewy or bumpy look on spun cotton fruit. Deco beads are made of tiny round smooth glass beads with no holes that have then been colored. They are traditionally used for embellishing Christmas ornaments, garland beads, spun cotton, and stamen but can also be applied to paper crafts and used as a substitute for glitter.This listing is for ...(click for more)
Item No. DB-1mm-CLR
German glass deco beads in Clear -- when in jar beads appear light aqua but are clear when applied. Bead size is 1mm which is an ideal size for creating a dewy or bumpy look on spun cotton fruit.Deco beads are made of tiny round smooth glass beads with no holes that have then been colored. They are traditionally used for embellishing Christmas ornaments, garland beads, spun cotton, and stamen but can also be applied to paper crafts...(click for more)
Item No. DB-1mm-MTBRZ
German glass deco beads in Metallic Bronze. Beads are opaque (not clear). Bead size is 1mm which is an ideal size for creating a dewy or bumpy look on spun cotton fruit. Deco beads are made of tiny round smooth glass beads with no holes that have then been colored. They are traditionally used for embellishing Christmas ornaments, garland beads, spun cotton, and stamen but can also be applied to paper crafts and used as a subs...(click for more)
Item No. DB-.5mm-CLR
German glass deco beads in Clear -- when in jar beads appear light aqua but are clear when applied. Bead size is .5mm which is an ideal size for creating a dewy look on small spun cotton fruit and stamen.Deco beads are made of tiny round smooth glass beads with no holes that have then been colored. They are traditionally used for embellishing Christmas ornaments, garland beads, spun cotton, and stamen but can also be applied to pap...(click for more)
Item No. DB-.5mm-MTBR
German glass deco beads in Metallic Brown. Beads are opaque (not clear). Bead size is .5mm which is an ideal size for creating a dewy look on small spun cotton fruit and stamen.Deco beads are made of tiny round smooth glass beads with no holes that have then been colored. They are traditionally used for embellishing Christmas ornaments, garland beads, spun cotton, and stamen but can also be applied to paper crafts and used as...(click for more)
Item No. DB-.5mm-MTCOP
German glass deco beads in Metallic Copper. Beads are opaque (not clear). Bead size is .5mm which is an ideal size for creating a dewy look on small spun cotton fruit and stamen.Deco beads are made of tiny round smooth glass beads with no holes that have then been colored. They are traditionally used for embellishing Christmas ornaments, garland beads, spun cotton, and stamen but can also be applied to paper crafts and used a...(click for more)
Item No. DB-.5mm-MTGLD
German glass deco beads in Metallic Gold. Beads are opaque (not clear). Bead size is .5mm which is an ideal size for creating a dewy look on small spun cotton fruit and stamen.Deco beads are made of tiny round smooth glass beads with no holes that have then been colored. They are traditionally used for embellishing Christmas ornaments, garland beads, spun cotton, and stamen but can also be applied to paper crafts and used as ...(click for more)
Item No. SC228
Group of 7 spun cotton acorns, each measuring 3/4" tall and just under 1/2" at the widest point. Each has a hole in the top to accommodate a wire or hanger. Made in the Czech Republic.
Item No. SC203
Group of 6 spun cotton acorns, each measuring 1-5/8" tall and 1" at the widest point. Each has a hole in the top to accommodate a wire or hanger. Made in the Czech Republic.
Item No. DB-.1mm-CLR
German glass deco beads in Clear Frost. Bead size is .1mm which is very fine and powdery and best suited to adding shimmer to detailed smaller items or as shimmer on Christmas ornaments.Deco beads are made of tiny round smooth glass beads with no holes that have then been colored. They are traditionally used for embellishing Christmas ornaments, garland beads, spun cotton, and stamen but can also be applied to paper crafts and used...(click for more)
Item No. DB-.1mm-CLORG
German glass deco beads in Clear Orange. Bead size is .1mm which is very fine and powdery and best suited to adding shimmer to detailed smaller items or as shimmer on Christmas ornaments.Deco beads are made of tiny round smooth glass beads with no holes that have then been colored. They are traditionally used for embellishing Christmas ornaments, garland beads, spun cotton, and stamen but can also be applied to paper crafts and use...(click for more)
Item No. DB-.1mm-STDST
German glass deco beads in Stardust which is a pale metallic gold. Beads are opaque (not clear). Bead size is .1mm which is very fine and powdery and best suited to adding shimmer to detailed smaller items or as shimmer on Christmas ornaments.Deco beads are made of tiny round smooth glass beads with no holes that have then been colored. They are traditionally used for embellishing Christmas ornaments, garland beads, spun cott...(click for more)