If you are bored with your old ball ornaments and want to give them a new look, nothing is simpler than this spray paint technique. You can give the ornaments a gradient look in just one step. I used the technique on some large plastic ornaments from the dollar store, but it will also work on metal or glass.
SIMPLE OMBRE SPRAY PAINTED ORNAMENTS
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE OMBRE ORNAMENTS
I used Plutonium spray paint for my ornaments, but this technique works with other spray paint brands as well. The ornament on the left was painted with 1st Place Metallic inside and Polar outside. The ornament on the right was already red and then I added the ombre in 2nd Place Metallic.
These are all affiliate links, if you make a purchase (of anything from these retailers, not just these items) after clicking through, I will earn a small commission. Ads and affiliate links are the way I am able to keep this website running and to offer you free tutorials all year long. Thank you so much for supporting me and Mad in Crafts!
- spray paint
- plastic ornaments (glass and metal work too!)
- plastic cups
- ribbon
Want to know which craft supplies I always keep in my craft room?
Visit the Mad in Crafts Amazon Storefront to learn more and to buy your own supplies!
HOW TO CREATE AN OMBRE ON ORNAMENTS
This ornament started as a clear plastic ornament from Dollar Tree. I misted a few shots of Plutonium 1st Place Metallic inside of it and let it dry for a few minutes. That gave it the translucent gold color you see. You can just as easily do this technique with an ornament that already is a solid color or you could leave the ornament clear and just have the gradient go from color to transparent.
The important step is that you set the ornament up on top of a small cup like a plastic shot glass or paper bathroom cup. The cup will hold the ornament in place while you work, but it should be as small a cup as you can find. Shake up the spray paint and set the cup and ornament on the ground. Hold the can parallel to the ground and spray straight down at the ornament. As long as the can is always held parallel to the ground, you will automatically make the paint fall straight down on to the ornament, creating the ombre effect.
Let the paint dry (my Plutonium only took 3 minutes to dry) and admire your fancy new ornament. You can do this process one at a time, or you can set up multiple ornaments in cups and paint them in as assembly line.
TRY THESE OTHER DIY ORNAMENTS!
These are a lovely upgrade to plain ornaments!
Now I want to do this!
They are beautiful, would make great teacher/neighbor gifts too!