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I'm trying to make glitter ornaments and I'm not having any success! I'm not using re-inkers, I just want to use glue (or other adhesive) that dries clear.
What I want is a solid, fairly opaque layer of the glitter on the inside of the ornament. Thus far I've tried an Alene's glue, Elmer's school glue, and Glossy Accents; the glitter I'm using is the fine Martha Stewart glitter (she has some beautiful colors!).
What I've been doing (with results I'm not happy with) is squeezing the glue into the ornament, rolling it 'round and 'round to coat the inside of the ornament with a thin layer of glue, then pouring in glitter and shaking it around (and pouring out any excess glitter) ... then I sit the ornament into an egg carton to wait for the glue to dry. With all three of the adhesives I've tried thus far, within a couple of hours most of the adhesive has sloughed off the sides of the ornament and ended up in a VERY glittery puddle in the bottom of the ornament -- leaving just a splotchy 'haze' of glitter behind.
Do I need to rinse the ornaments out before starting (is there some kind of residue inside that keeps the glue from sticking)?
Is there a special kind of glue to use on glass or glass ornaments?
Am I just out of luck, with this always being the end result (do I need to give up or settle for this)?
I'm sure I could brush the glue on the OUTSIDE of the ornament and then sprinkle it with glitter, but it's important to me that the glitter be on the INSIDE of the ornament. We probably all have our quirks, and one of mine is that I can't stand having bits of loose glitter on my hands or clothes (having the glitter on the inside will keep it off of my fingers)!
I did a similar swirling technique with paint in glass ornaments, and on some of them, I had the same issue. It just wouldn't stick. In the end I washed them in soapy water (dawn) and dried VERY well. After that, the paint stuck. One manufacturer of the ornaments suggested washing them. Ironically that was not the bulb I had trouble with. It was from another manuf. HTH. Good luck!
Hay, Mary! Welcome to SCS!
I made several dozen of the glitter ornaments last year. I started out using the re-inkers but soon decided it was too messy and expensive. I ended up doing the glue/glitter only and they turned out soo cute and pretty! I used Diamond Glaze which is about the same as Crystal Effects and Glossy Accents.
Reading your dilemma, I see 2 possible problems. Either the brand needs washing inside or you did not drain the Glossy Accents b4 adding the glitter.
If you choose to wash them, they'll take a looong time to dry inside. So hop to it! lol
I put Diamond Glaze inside mine and swirled the ball til completely covered. I then drained them by turning upside down over a bathroom paper cup... maybe 30 min. or so. Don't worry, the DG will not dry in that time in an almost closed container. You can re-use the drained DG. Then, I poured in the glitter with a homemade paper funnel. Holding my finger over the hole, I shook and swirled til the whole inside was covered w/ glitter. If it isn't, just add more glitter. When covered, you can simply pour out what is not adhered and add it to the next ball. I sat them out, upright, to dry well over night.The *draining* tip came from SCS.. naturally! HTH!!!
May God bless, Sandi
__________________ StormyElf'd '07Humble Ink Smears If at first you don't succeed, talk to God! Then, go put on your big girl panties!
Thanks for the suggestions -- I'll try washing them them out. I did let the glues drain a bit, but perhaps not long enough! I'll give these ideas a try sometime within the next week or so.
I have made several of these ornaments with great results. I use Minwax satin polyurethane which can be purchased at Lowes or Home Depot in 8 oz. containers ($5-$6). It is thin enough to swirl inside the ornament for complete coverage, plus is relatively inexpensive. I use a small funnel to pour the polyurethane into the ornaments, twirl (don't shake) the ornament to completely cover the inside, then put the ornament upside down in a small plastic bathroom cup to drain. (If you shake to cover, small bubbles can form inside the ornament.) After 5-10 mins., add your glitter, shake to cover, then pour the excess glitter out. I've never washed an ornament before doing this because it takes forever for them to dry, and with this method, always get wonderful results. One of my favorites was done using navy ultrafine glitter (by Mark Enterprises - you can get it at Michaels), then using silver snowflake rubons on the outside. Turned out gorgeous, even if I say so myself!
__________________ Linda E
Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
I have successfully made these type of ornaments using Ceramcoat varnish from my local craft store. Swirl the varnish inside the ornament and tip over a bathroom dixie cup cup to drain. Pour in your glitter after it has drained and shake. I usually stamp a small object with permanent ink like staz-on or Fabrico (snowflakes, snowmen colored with Fabrico markers), cut them out and adhere them to the inside of the bulb before I add the glitter.
I keep trying with the reinkers and some turn out really nice and some have big blank "holes" in the color. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I try all kinds of things and can't figure it out!! I'm kind of frustrated. I am using Memento reinkers instead of SU???
I have successfully made these type of ornaments using Ceramcoat varnish from my local craft store. Swirl the varnish inside the ornament and tip over a bathroom dixie cup cup to drain. Pour in your glitter after it has drained and shake. I usually stamp a small object with permanent ink like staz-on or Fabrico (snowflakes, snowmen colored with Fabrico markers), cut them out and adhere them to the inside of the bulb before I add the glitter.
I've always liked the varnish better. It can be tinted with reinkers, too, if you want color.
Kelly, are you washing the ornaments out before trying to do them? Maybe there's just a bit of film or something on the glass inside?
I'm trying to make glitter ornaments and I'm not having any success! I'm not using re-inkers, I just want to use glue (or other adhesive) that dries clear.
What I want is a solid, fairly opaque layer of the glitter on the inside of the ornament. Thus far I've tried an Alene's glue, Elmer's school glue, and Glossy Accents; the glitter I'm using is the fine Martha Stewart glitter (she has some beautiful colors!).
What I've been doing (with results I'm not happy with) is squeezing the glue into the ornament, rolling it 'round and 'round to coat the inside of the ornament with a thin layer of glue, then pouring in glitter and shaking it around (and pouring out any excess glitter) ... then I sit the ornament into an egg carton to wait for the glue to dry. With all three of the adhesives I've tried thus far, within a couple of hours most of the adhesive has sloughed off the sides of the ornament and ended up in a VERY glittery puddle in the bottom of the ornament -- leaving just a splotchy 'haze' of glitter behind.
Do I need to rinse the ornaments out before starting (is there some kind of residue inside that keeps the glue from sticking)?
Is there a special kind of glue to use on glass or glass ornaments?
Am I just out of luck, with this always being the end result (do I need to give up or settle for this)?
I'm sure I could brush the glue on the OUTSIDE of the ornament and then sprinkle it with glitter, but it's important to me that the glitter be on the INSIDE of the ornament. We probably all have our quirks, and one of mine is that I can't stand having bits of loose glitter on my hands or clothes (having the glitter on the inside will keep it off of my fingers)!
Let me know what suggestions you might have!
Thanks much,
Mary C.
Springfield VA
I used pledge floor polish. Cleaner and safer then varnish. It turned out
beautiful.
The girls I worked with really thought it was a neat idea.
Made the 4" balls for my daughter and I must confess they were awesome.
i realize it is too late for this year but i made a ton of these too with pledge future finish floor wax from walmart. no washing of the ornament necessary. just pour it in, cover the top with sarn wrap and shake/swirl around, pour excess out, pour glitter in (MS ultrafine) & shake well - perfect results every time!
Well, we cheated this year and bought the kit. the glue was made for this purpose so I am not sure what kind it is. It did recommend that you clean the ornaments out with rubbing alcohol. It dries quickly too. We did the little 3/4 inch balls made of iridescent glass. they were gorgeous and easy for the kids to make. We used the silver foil outline stickers on the outside. We only had a few that were small enough but they still turned out cute.
Ok, here is what I've read on some sheets from older Carol DuVall shows, carefully take off ornaments cap, pour in glue (she even uses varnish), roll around until the inside of ball is coated, turn upside down and let all of glue/varnish drip out (leave it this way until you don't see anymore coming out). Than add your glitter, shaking until all coated, pour out any excess glitter, re-attach the ornaments cap. I think the key with this is to make sure all of the excess glue is out before you add your glitter.
I happened to be searching for the different techniques to make these ornaments and found one (way too lengthy a process the way she does it) which uses Duo adhesive. This adhesive is supposed to dry clear and remain tacky. She pours the adhesive into the glass ornament, swirls it around so it's completely coated, and then lets it dry overnight. The next day is when she adds the glitter and according to her, it sticks to the adhesive. Must be good stuff! If you were to use her method you would wash the inside of the ornament, let it dry overnight. Next day apply the glue, let it dry overnight, then apply the glitter, let it dry overnight. I saw one process where the glue was swished around, then the glitter, and then when that was dry, alcohol reinker was applied to the outside of the glass ornament using the applicator. Really turned out pretty.
I definitely am going to try this!! I have been looking for the clear balls (even before Xmas) but couldn't find any...'ya ALL must have bought them 'up...hahahaha...sounds like a FUN project to make next year with my new granddaughter to be...(our daughter got engaged at Christmas, and will her new step Mom)...great Christmas!! Finally gonna be a "Grandma"!!! Take care all...
Congratulations!! Being a grandma - no matter how you get there - is great! One of the perks is that when the grandchild is cranky he/she gets to go home and takes the crankiness with him - lol.
Congratulations!! Being a grandma - no matter how you get there - is great! One of the perks is that when the grandchild is cranky he/she gets to go home and takes the crankiness with him - lol.
Aaawww..thanks for your Congra'ts!!! I don't get to see them very often (ANY of them) unfortunately, and I miss them already!!! :( but HAPPY for their new beginning and their own little family. Hopefully my daughter will some day have a baby and I'll be a Grandma to two grandchildren (or more ?) hahahaha....appreciate your kind response. Take care....
glass ball ornaments w/ glitter
