Too many Silver Balls

[weederberries]

I've got dozens of plain silver ornament balls that I don't use on my tree any more. Any ideas for turning these into a great giftable craft? I've only ever seen crafty ornament gifts with the clear glass balls and since these aren't transparent, I have no idea what to do with them.

[palval77]

How about a nice big vase or on a wreath.

[Shanon]

I like the idea of putting them in a BIG vase with maybe some irredescent shreds or something like that. :mrgreen:

[GarnetJ]

You could get the ornament topper stamps from Outlines Rubber Stamps.

Here are a few of the ornaments in the gallery.....

by BeckyInMa
by Kellie Fortin
by KharmaGirl

That's just a few. There are more in the gallery.

[Debra Cherney]

Michaels has some ornaments on their website that were made with leafing. You could do that with them or get some of the cute Christmas transfers.

[askagain]

how about adding flourishes or scrolls using glue/glitter or even stickles? I made these a few years ago and they turned out nice!

[weederberries]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarnetJ

You could get the ornament topper stamps from Outlines Rubber Stamps.

Here are a few of the ornaments in the gallery.....

by BeckyInMa
by Kellie Fortin
by KharmaGirl

That's just a few. There are more in the gallery.

These are gorgeous! Definitely something to consider for next year. I've got about 75 silver balls.

I used to put them in a large star shaped basket I kept on my table, but kids prevent me from putting something like that as my centerpiece anymore.

I'd have to buy one GIANT vase to fit all these balls in side. It'd be like furniture!

[jenpeel]

Wouldn't rub-ons work great on them? Maybe monogram them and gift them out to people...

[3boysstampin']

I bet stazon would work on the outside of the ornament. It's not as easy stamping on a curved surface, but it can work--just roll the stamp. Blue snowflakes on silver would look pretty.

Love those ornament toppers!

[RevLinda]

My daughter decorated old colored balls by using glue to make designs and then added glitter. Can't remember where I saw it on SCS but I saw a ball with crystal looking heavy glitter running down from the top like icycles would. Found some glitter glue at Hobby Lobby (Opal) that appears to be the same. Am going to try it. Hope I can find silver balls because the effect would be sparkly but subtle. I like the idea of stamping on them too. Will have fun playing, you have so many you can make dozens -- after you pile them in that huge vase.

[weederberries]

Rubons! I never would have thought of that!

[Boss]

You can remove the color from these balls and they you would have the clear ones to work with. Years ago Carol Duvall did a craft segment on this because at that time you couldn't find clear balls. I'm sure if you checked HGTV website they would have instructions for this.

From memory (always a scary resource!! ;) ) I believe you dipped the balls (tops removed) into a solution of water and bleach. You filled them up, plugged the end with your thumb over the hole and shook them until the colored lining slipped off the inside. After rinsing in clear water, you set them aside and allowed them to dry throughly. She might have poked a paper towel inside to daub out some of the water, I can't remember that part.

Hope you find an idea you like!

[ehaprian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarnetJ

You could get the ornament topper stamps from Outlines Rubber Stamps.

Here are a few of the ornaments in the gallery.....

by BeckyInMa
by Kellie Fortin
by KharmaGirl

That's just a few. There are more in the gallery.

These are gorgeous. My Aunt makes ones with the poinsettia toppers and sells them at a charity craft show for $7.00. She buys ornaments after Christmas on the cheap and works on them all year. She sells out every year. I think silver balls would be beautiful! Good luck!

[anirok]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boss

You can remove the color from these balls and they you would have the clear ones to work with. Years ago Carol Duvall did a craft segment on this because at that time you couldn't find clear balls. I'm sure if you checked HGTV website they would have instructions for this.

From memory (always a scary resource!! ;) ) I believe you dipped the balls (tops removed) into a solution of water and bleach. You filled them up, plugged the end with your thumb over the hole and shook them until the colored lining slipped off the inside. After rinsing in clear water, you set them aside and allowed them to dry throughly. She might have poked a paper towel inside to daub out some of the water, I can't remember that part.

Hope you find an idea you like!

I used to do this. This year I tried doing it again with some new ones purchased (soo much cheaper than buying the clear bulbs) but they've changed how they paint them and it doesn't work anymore.

You can also put a little salt in the water mixture to help "scrub" the paint out

[SammyStamper]

I have covered them with mod podge and mulberry paper in the past. I stamped and embossed an image on the mulberry paper and they used pieces so I didn't have to worry about creases. You could decorate them with sticky strip and glitter/microbeads. I would glue them to a plain wreath for a new decoration or make a garland.