Without a doubt, the best deal you can find on Christmas decorations is ordinary glass or plastic balls.
Even the Dollar Store offers inexpensive ornaments of all
shapes and designs. For less than $10, you can take a package
of "ordinary" balls and create unique centerpieces.
I tell all my friends - if you need to fill in areas of your home
when decorating for Christmas, or you need something quick
and easy - buy a few packages of ornaments and place inside
any pretty bowl or container you already have at home.
Take a look at some of these beautiful examples....
This monochromatic display in a footed bowl adds a touch
of elegance on a rustic table.
Design Tip: Use filler in the bottom of a large bowl so you
do not require as many ornaments. Use greenery, or beads
as shown above for filler. Add a tassel or two that gently cascades over the side.
Mirrored ornaments and frosted glass balls create the look of
a Winter Wonderland in a bowl.
Design Tip: Splurge on two or three mirrored balls, and
use more inexpensive plain balls as fillers. How pretty
would this be if you added in some painted white starfish.
Or, how about some glittered snowflakes. Both would add
some extra texture and glitz.
Multi-colored balls add a splash of Christmas cheer to this grouping placed within a glass footed bowl.
Design Tip: Choose several sizes of balls, from tiny 1" balls
to larger ones to add interest and variety.
Shades of purple - not your standard Christmas color, but
grouped together it is simply eye candy. I love the "frosted"
urn container.
Design Tip: Take an inexpensive urn or container, and
spray paint white. "Paint" on a layer of Modge Podge,
then sprinkle on some glittered faux snow.
Look at the varying balls above in this glass bowl - frosted
silver and blue balls, solid metallic balls
and crystal snowflakes.
Design Tip: Notice how the bowl of ornaments is placed
on a plate of faux snow. Use a vintage silver platter instead. Don't have a large glass bowl? Line up three smaller
glass bowls and create this same look.
Vintage mercury ornaments in a footed mercury container.
Design Tip: Create your own mercury-style ornaments
with silver leaf and antiquing glaze.
Inexpensive pink ornaments combined with beautifully
glittered balls in a wooden dough bowl.
Design Tip: Make your own patterned-glittered ornaments
with glitter paint pens. Just freehand your designs in
any desired pattern.
Miniature sized ornaments nestled in a white tray create a
base
for some larger balls.
Design Tip: Buy inexpensive clear ornaments, remove top
and pour in some watered craft paints (or use acrylic
medium.) Roll the ornaments around so paint covers
the inside of the ornament. Turn over and pour out
any extra paint.
Vintage ornaments in an antique crockery bowl.
Design Tip: Buy inexpensive solid balls, and randomly
glue on small pearls in rows or individually. Or, add
dots with glitter puff paint pens.
A layer of magnolia leaves creates a soft bed for a
grouping of silver and metallic balls.
Design Tip: Make your own vintage look ornaments.
Purchase new solid-colored plastic ornaments. Lightly
sponge on watered down black acrylic paint randomly
over ornaments. Let dry. With a kitchen scrubby (the rough
side), lightly sand the ornament to remove any shine. Cover
with a coat of antiquing glaze, wipe off.
Now is the time to think about a New Year's Centerpiece.
Silver and Blue ornaments in a clear glass or silver footed
bowl is the perfect solution.
Design Tip: Add strings of silver beads. Nestle in some
New Year's horns or blowers. Use a glitter paint pen to
write "2012" on an ornament or two.
I hope these beautiful pics inspire you to create your
own Christmas ornament centerpiece.
