Ornament Ideas – Easy Alcohol Ink Christmas Ornaments

Fun and Easy way to Paint Glass Christmas Ornaments with Adirondack Alcohol Inks

Hey, I’m back with another fun craft project using Adirondack Alcohol Inks. I’ve been searching around for DIY Ornament Ideas so I want to show you how to paint colorful glass Christmas Ornaments with Alcohol Inks.

I’m sort of obsessed with alcohol inks, truly. You can create such gorgeous, painterly effects with them. Almost like watercolor paints but better, brighter. And Christmas is right around the corner.

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My kids and I used to decorate glass Christmas tree ornaments by pouring different color paints inside and letting them swirl and marble. Those are still some of my favorite Christmas tree ornaments.

This time, I decided to try painting the glass ornaments with Adirondack alcohol inks. The first one I did was pretty but the colors didn’t stand out on the clear glass.

After some pondering, I decided to try painting a white background first. But, instead of painting the outside of the globe, I poured the white paint inside the globe and now the alcohol colors pop!

For more Christmas crafting fun, I show you how to make a Make Your Own Christmas Wreath with Wool and 31 Creative Handmade Gift Ideas for Christmas or Birthdays. 14 DIY Christmas Wreath Ideas.

Did you see my Alcohol Ink Switch Plate Covers?

Prep the Glass Ornament

First, remove the hanger from a glass ornament and set aside. Now, open the bottle of white acrylic paint and squeeze a small amount into the globe.

Turn the globe to distribute the paint. Add more paint as needed. You want the entire inside of the ornament to be covered with white paint.

Once the inside of the ornament is covered in all white paint, you need to remove the excess. The easiest way I’ve found to do this is to turn the globe upside down on an old container s.a. a tomato paste can or similar. The extra paint will drip out into the can.

Painting the Glass Ornaments

First, cover your work surface. Then, pour some rubbing alcohol in the disposable cup. Since these inks dry quickly go ahead and open all alcohol ink bottles.

Dip a paint brush in the rubbing alcohol and wipe on part of the ornament. Now, pick up one of the bottles of alcohol ink and drip a small amount onto the rubbing alcohol.

Slowly turn your ornament and watch the ink flow. You can also blow on the ink to make it move. Give it a minute or two before adding more ink. These inks are hard to control but there’s really no wrong way here.

Repeat with a second color of alcohol ink.

Add a third color of paint.

Continue adding color until you are happy with your ornament.

Finish the Painted Christmas Ornament

Carefully re-insert the hanger. Thread a paint brush (or similar) through the hook and hang your ornament to dry.

Let the ornament dry overnight then add two coats of the acrylic spray sealer to protect the paint. All of these colors coordinate beautifully but I’ve found it’s best to use no more than 3 per piece. Otherwise, they tend to combine too much and become muddy.

The beauty of these inks is that you can start all over by wiping them off completely (before sealing) with a cloth and rubbing alcohol. This technique would work on all different glass objects from the various Christmas ornament shapes to picture frames. Just keep in mind that the paint won’t hold up to rigorous handling. Even though we sealed it, the paint can be scratched.

Want more ornament ideas for decorating glass Christmas globes? Here is a great article from HGTV.

Enjoy! And if you try this project, please send me a photo of your creation.
Peace,
Annette

For more Christmas crafting fun, I show you how to make a Make Your Own Christmas Wreath with Wool and 31 Creative Handmade Gift Ideas for Christmas or Birthdays. 14 DIY Christmas Wreath Ideas.

Plus, for more craft ideas with Tim Holtz Ranger Alcohol Inks, see how I made my DIY Alcohol Ink Switch Plate Covers

Ornament Ideas – Easy Alcohol Ink Christmas Ornaments