Wednesday, December 6, 2017

7th Annual Ornament Blog Hop


abstract photo of Christmas tree
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
Welcome to the 7th Art Bead Scene Ornament Blog Hop sponsored by Heather Powers of HumblebeadsThis is an inclusive creative challenge. Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Winter Solstice themed decorations along with traditional Christmas ornaments are all possibilities. The idea is to have fun.
The instructions were simple:
Create an ornament using handmade components or art beads.


Pretty snow globe
 Pretty snow globe - Photo by Darren Coleshill on Unsplash
I have been saving Altoid tins for a number of years. I like to have them on hand to ship delicate pieces of jewelry and I store bead mixes in them too. Recently, I had been toying with the idea of making Christmas ornaments from them. I have collected a few ideas of what other folks have done with Altoid boxes here on Pinterest. There are also several tutorials there. After gathering ideas and reading several tutorials, I decided that my Altoid tin ornament will be centered around a cute snow globe 3D sticker that I found. I have always loved snow globes. I guess that is because over the years, I received a number of them as gifts at Christmas time.

Altoid Tin Ornament by BayMoonDesign
Altoid Tin Ornament by BayMoonDesign
I also save Christmas cards that I think are especially pretty. I went through my collection of cards and found a silver card with embossed snow flakes. I used that card as the background on the ornament and to cover the back and sides of the tin.  I dug into my collection of art beads and found a turquoise ceramic with a red heart on it.  I believe it was sent as a decoration on box containing an Art Bead from Mary Harding. Her packages are so pretty!  The colors in the bead matched the colors in the snow globe.   I found a couple of other complimentary beads to add.  I used beading wire and crimp beads to connect them.  Before attaching them to the Altoid tin I used a hole punch and placed two small holes which I centered on the bottom of the tin prior to attaching any paper to the tin.  I opened a jump ring and inserted into the two holes, and then closed the jump ring.  This is where I attached my strand of turquoise and red beads.  I then covered the top, bottom, and sides with the silver paper and Modge Podge.  I used scraps of silver Christmas trim, snowflakes that I made from paper, wooden ivy, and added some bling.  I ran a piece of red ribbon around the outside to add some more color.  I plan to give one of my best friends this for her family Christmas tree.

Photo by Taylor Franz on Unsplash

Now go and grab a hot beverage and sit back and enjoy seeing what ornament other folks made for this 7th Annual blog hop.  A special thanks to Heather Powers of Humblebeads.com for organizing this.


16 comments:

  1. Kathy!! What an adorable idea. I LOVE your use of the altoid tin for the base. It's like a mini shadowbox. How cool and inventive. I love challenges like this because I get to see the depth of other jewelry artist's creativity. And yours run so very deep!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Such a great way to repurpose those tins! I save them as well, so this gives me an idea for their purpose! Enjoy the day. Erin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is amazing how many people save these tins. We are not alone!

      Delete
  3. Kathy this is such an adorable ornament! I love the idea of creating a tiny winter vingette.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I agree with Hope, it looks like a shadowbox indeed. The red ribbon outlining the box makes it look very festive and matches well with santa's outfit and the hear charm

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh how special! An heirloom in its first year.

    ReplyDelete
  6. It's so, so sweet! I usually decorate the tops of boxes. I love the idea of decorating the inside!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Such a pretty and unique ornament! What a great use for our Christmas cards collection (I have one, too) and all those different things you added! It's going to be the star of the Christmas tree!

    ReplyDelete
  8. OH what a great idea Kathy! I love it, it's so cute! I save those tins too!

    ReplyDelete
  9. So sweet/ What a clever way to repurpose the tin. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is so adorable! What a smart idea for using Altoids tins. Your snowy scene is just perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love your creative use of up-cycling tins and Christmas cards! You've made something your friend will cherish for many years to come.

    ReplyDelete