DIY Feather & Glass Ball Christmas Ornaments: Elegant Pottery Barn Knockoff for Your Holiday Decor

Transform your Christmas tree into a festive wonderland with these stunning, easy-to-make feather and glass ball ornaments. Inspired by high-end designs like those from Pottery Barn, this DIY project allows you to create elegant, personalized decorations for a mere fraction of the retail price. Whether you prefer classic natural tones or vibrant colored feathers, this guide will show you how to craft beautiful ornaments in regular or mini sizes, perfect for adding a unique touch to your holiday celebrations.

Hello, fellow crafters and holiday enthusiasts! The festive season is truly the most wonderful time of the year, filled with joy, warmth, and the opportunity to add personal touches to our homes. There’s something incredibly satisfying about decking the halls with handmade decorations, especially when they look expensive but are incredibly budget-friendly. Today, I’m thrilled to share a delightful and super easy Christmas ornament DIY that my daughter and I recently enjoyed creating. It’s a project that brings a touch of elegance to your holiday decor without breaking the bank, perfectly embodying the spirit of resourceful crafting.

Every year, we make it a tradition to craft at least one new type of ornament to add to our growing collection. This annual ritual is guided by a few simple, yet crucial, principles:

• Simplicity: We aim for projects that are straightforward and don’t require advanced crafting skills. The goal is enjoyment, not frustration!
• Inexpensiveness: Holiday decorating can quickly become costly. Our DIYs focus on affordable materials, ensuring beautiful results on a budget.
• Easy-to-Find Supplies: No obscure ingredients here! We prioritize items readily available at craft stores, online, or even around the house.
• Not Time-Consuming: The holiday season is busy enough. Quick projects mean more time for other festive activities and less stress.

This year’s inspiration struck while browsing the always-gorgeous Pottery Barn catalog. Their feather glass finial ornament immediately caught my eye. It exuded a sophisticated charm that seemed surprisingly simple to replicate: just feathers delicately affixed to a beautiful ornament. While the concept was simple, finding the perfect supplies initially posed a small challenge. However, a little perseverance (and the magic of online shopping!) ensured our crafting dreams came true.

Ultimately, Amazon came to the rescue with exactly what we needed, coupled with a touch of clever adaptation. The best part? Our total outlay for making a batch of 20 gorgeous mini ornaments was less than $10, and we completed the entire project in about an hour and a half, all while enjoying festive Christmas music. Talk about a holiday win! This project is not just about making ornaments; it’s about creating memories and adding a personal touch that truly makes your holiday decor unique.

Essential Supplies for Your DIY Feather Ornaments

Gathering your materials is the first exciting step in any DIY project. For these elegant feather and glass ball Christmas ornaments, you’ll be pleased to know you only need three basic supplies. These items are widely available and often quite affordable, making this an accessible craft for anyone wanting to add a touch of handmade charm to their holiday decor.

• Glass Ball Ornaments: We opted for mini iridescent glass balls, which provided a lovely subtle shimmer that beautifully complemented the feathers. However, your creativity isn’t limited! Any type of ornament will work – clear glass, colored glass (think matte red, glossy green, or shimmering gold), or even durable plastic balls for a more child-friendly or unbreakable option. Consider the size as well; regular-sized ornaments make a bolder statement, while mini ones offer delicate charm.
• Small Feathers: A bag of small craft feathers is the star of this show. You can choose natural feathers for a rustic, sophisticated look, or select colored feathers to match a specific theme or palette of your Christmas tree. White, cream, or brown feathers offer a classic, elegant vibe, while bright blues, greens, or reds can add a vibrant pop of color. Ensure they are craft-quality feathers, readily available at most craft stores or online.
• Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks: A reliable hot glue gun and a supply of glue sticks are essential. Hot glue provides a quick and strong bond, which is perfect for securing the feathers in place. If working with children, a low-temperature glue gun is highly recommended for safety.

This project is wonderfully versatile, allowing you to personalize every aspect. Beyond the basic round glass balls, you could experiment with finial-shaped ornaments for an even closer resemblance to the Pottery Barn inspiration, or use clear ornaments to create a more ethereal, suspended feather effect. These beautiful creations aren’t just for the tree either; they make fantastic, thoughtful gift-toppers, adding an extra layer of charm to your presents!

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Feather & Glass Ball Christmas Ornaments

Now that you have your supplies ready, let’s dive into the simple, enjoyable process of transforming ordinary ornaments into exquisite holiday treasures. Follow these straightforward steps to create your own collection of elegant feather and glass ball Christmas ornaments.

Step 1: Prep the Feathers for Application

The first step involves preparing your feathers to ensure they are the perfect size and shape for your chosen ornaments. Open your bag of small feathers and begin to sort through them. You’ll want to find the smallest, most delicate feathers that will sit neatly around the ornament’s top. If you’re working with mini-balls, as we did, some feathers, especially the beautiful white ones, might be a bit too long. Don’t hesitate to trim them! Using sharp scissors, simply snip the quill end to the desired length. This not only helps them fit better but also makes them easier to handle and glue. Consider mixing and matching colors from your bag, or sticking to a uniform color scheme depending on your desired aesthetic.

Step 2: Carefully Prepare the Ornament Balls

Next, you’ll need to prepare the glass or plastic balls. Each ornament typically comes with a small metal cap and hanger. To create a clean surface for feather application, carefully remove this metal top. Do this by gently pinching the looped hanger and pulling upwards. It’s crucial to be delicate during this step, especially with glass ornaments, as the neck of the ball or the metal cuff pieces can sometimes be fragile and prone to breaking. If you encounter resistance, try wiggling it gently rather than forcing it. Once removed, set the metal tops aside in a safe place, as you’ll need them again for the final step.

Step 3: Artfully Apply the Feathers

This is where the magic happens! Heat up your hot glue gun. Once it’s ready, add a small bead of hot glue to the very top of the ornament, specifically at the indentation where the ball meets its neck. This is a subtle yet secure spot to anchor your feathers. Immediately press the quill end of a prepared feather into the glue. Hold it for a few seconds to ensure it adheres firmly. Continue this process, working your way around the top of the ornament, adding small dots of glue and pressing feathers until you have a full, beautiful circle. For a balanced and visually appealing look, alternate the colors of your feathers as you go, ensuring they are spread out evenly. You can create a dense, fluffy collar or a more sparse, airy design depending on how many feathers you use and how closely you place them. Experiment with the angle of the feathers – pointing slightly upwards or fanning out gently – to achieve your desired effect.

Step 4: Reattach the Ornament Top Securely

With all your feathers in place, it’s time to reattach the metal top you removed in Step 2. Before pushing it back into the ball’s neck, gently spread out the tiny metal tines (the prongs that grip the inside of the ornament) a bit. This will allow them to fit over the ends of the feathers you’ve just glued, securing them further and giving a neat, finished look. Carefully push the metal loop back into the opening of the ball. Once it’s in place, press the tines firmly around the feather ends from the inside. This will not only secure the feathers but also prevent the metal cap from slipping off. And just like that, your elegant feather and glass ball Christmas ornament is complete!

See how quick and easy that is? These handmade ornaments are truly the cutest things and add such a unique, luxurious touch to your holiday decorations. We discovered that our mini feather ornaments tend to get a bit lost amidst the branches of a large, heavily decorated Christmas tree. For maximum impact, we prefer to display them on a smaller, dedicated mini tree where their delicate beauty can truly shine. They also look absolutely stunning when tied to a holiday gift bag or present, elevating your gift-giving with a touch of handmade charm!

Creative Variations and Display Ideas for Your Feather Ornaments

The beauty of DIY lies in customization. While the basic feather and glass ball ornament is charming on its own, here are a few ideas to inspire further personalization and creative display:

• Color Coordination: Use feathers that complement your existing holiday color scheme. White and silver feathers create a frosty, elegant look, while gold and deep red feathers evoke traditional warmth. For a playful touch, try vibrant pinks, blues, or purples.
• Feather Types: Experiment with different types of feathers. While small craft feathers are ideal, you could try using marabou feathers for a softer, fluffier appearance, or even carefully selected peacock eye feathers for a dramatic, exotic flair on larger ornaments.
• Embellishments: Before reattaching the cap, you could add a sprinkle of fine glitter inside a clear glass ornament for a magical shimmer, or glue tiny beads or sequins near the feather base for extra sparkle.
• Scented Ornaments: For a sensory delight, add a few drops of essential oil (like frankincense, myrrh, or pine) to a cotton ball and place it inside a clear glass ornament before capping it. The scent will subtly diffuse, adding to the festive ambiance.
• Beyond the Tree: These ornaments are incredibly versatile.
  • Garlands and Wreaths: Weave them into a natural garland draped over a mantel or staircase, or secure them onto a festive holiday wreath.
  • Centerpieces: Arrange a few in a clear glass bowl or cloche as a unique table centerpiece, perhaps with some fairy lights.
  • Window Displays: Hang them at varying heights in a window for a charming display that catches the light.
  • Gift Tags and Favors: As mentioned, they make exquisite gift toppers. They can also serve as unique party favors for a holiday gathering.

Making Holiday Memories Through Crafting

This simple DIY feather and glass ball ornament project is more than just a craft; it’s an opportunity to create lasting holiday memories. Whether you’re crafting solo, with family, or with friends, the process of bringing a beautiful vision to life with your own hands is incredibly rewarding. The affordability and ease of this project make it a perfect choice for anyone looking to add unique, handmade elegance to their festive decor without stress. It’s a testament to the fact that you don’t need a large budget to achieve a high-end look in your holiday home.

This article is proudly part of our extensive 8 Weeks of Christmas Ideas series. Throughout November and December, leading right up to the 24th, we’re dedicated to bringing you a wealth of resources. You’ll find everything from delicious cooking tips and innovative gift ideas to clever time-saving hacks, cherished recipes, and heartwarming traditions. Make sure to explore the series for even more inspiration to make your holiday season truly special and memorable.

Wishing you a joyful and creative holiday season filled with beautiful handmade touches!

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