Last year I participated for the first time in the Art Bead Scene hosted ornament blog hop. I’ve been an admirer of the ornament hop for some time, and finally decided it was time to jump in. I ended up making a whole passel of ornaments as gifts for Christmas last year, and I decided it would become a yearly tradition. I like to make homemade gifts, but have struggled with what sorts of things I can make easily but would still be enjoyed by a variety of recipients. Turns out ornaments are just the thing!
As I did last year, I wanted to focus on a technique I’d learned this year as I made my ornaments. I didn’t have to think hard about this b/c in October I attended my very first Humblebeads “Inspired by Nature” retreat. I loved every moment of it and knew I wanted to use one of the classes as my inspiration for the ornaments. One of the classes we took was on her famously popular “faux tin” technique and I decided to try it for my ornaments this year. The hard part was deciding on my images because there are so many to choose from! I settled on two – one of a nativity manger scene and one of a winter bird nest.
This was the first time I’ve done this technique from start to finish on my own, and I identified several areas of improvement for next time. But it was exciting to create something from this new technique! For each piece, I created a stable/house shape and also cut out copper backing pieces. These were textured and patinated and layered with the faux metal images. I used screw rivets to secure the two pieces together. I tried several options for the “roof” of the design and finally settled on tiny wired greenery – I liked how it gave the ornaments a wintry, outdoor feel and brought some color into the ornaments. A hand-formed wire hanger finishes them off.
I’m really excited by this technique and have lots of ideas in my imagination to try. I had some extra room and also created a pendant from the bird nest design, and I hope to convert that into a necklace before too long. It’s been a wonderful adventure to learn new techniques and design processes as I put together these ornaments.
Blessings to all,
Sarah
anordinarymiracleday 
Very nice creative work, Sarah. I’m sure every recipient will enjoy them for years to come!
Sarah these are so adorable! I love how you used the techniques from the retreat to make ornaments. I wouldn’t have thought of doing that! I’d love to do an ornament swap with you for one of the nests.
So beautiful and a great way to incorporate a new technique!
Treasures!
Lovely Sarah. I really love these! I haven’t been brave enough to try the faux tin on my own yet. Great job!
So creative. They look wonderful!
I love the idea to use this technique for the ornaments. I’m not familiar with it but read about it in somebody elses’s account of the retreat and found it fascinating. The bird nest is my favorite!
Those are so cute and so great that you got to attend the workshop! I love how you were able to translate your skills to ornaments!
Wow, Sarah! These are so wonderful! I haven’t attempted the process from start to finish yet, but I’ve started saving some images in anticipation. You’ve created lovely pieces that will be treasured!