If you’ve been wanting to fill your Christmas tree with handmade charm or give heartfelt gifts without the overwhelm – these three wood ornament projects are perfect. They’re simple, colorful, beginner-friendly, and each one can be completed in under an hour.
In this tutorial, we’ll walk through three different ornament styles:
- A gold shimmer Christmas tree tag
- A bright sunflower ornament
- A dreamy lavender field ornament
All three ornaments feature my favorite techniques: gesso backgrounds, simple acrylic layering, frame embellishing, and attention to detail around the edges to create a polished finish.
The Gold Tree Tag Ornament
This bold gold ornament is a great starter piece because it comes together quickly and creates instant holiday sparkle. Begin by coating the wooden tag shape with a thin layer of white gesso. The gesso helps the metallic paint sit on the surface and shine more brightly. Once the surface is dry, brush on a generous coat of Extreme Sheen 24K Gold paint.
While the background dries, paint the Christmas tree cutout in a rich green acrylic. When the tree is fully dry, use Zip Dry or your favorite strong craft glue to attach it to the center of the tag. Take a moment to line it up carefully before pressing it into place.
Once all the paint is dry, thread a piece of twine through the hole at the top, knot it securely, and your ornament is ready for the tree. It’s simple, modern, and striking, and it comes together in less than 20 minutes.
The Sunflower Ornament
This sunflower ornament brings a burst of summer joy into your holiday decorating and looks stunning against winter greenery. Start by coating the insert of the ornament with white gesso. After it dries, create a soft sky by blending blues and whites together – feel free to mix right on the wood for natural variations.
When the background is ready, paint the sunflower petals using warm yellows and oranges, letting the colors overlap and blend in places for a natural look. Add a textured center by stippling with a mix of browns, blacks, and gold. This gives the sunflower depth and that classic fuzzy center effect. I also used a liner brush to give the petals loose, sketchy black outlines.
Before assembling the ornament, brush a thin coat of sealer over the artwork. This protects the paint and gives the surface a smooth finish. Now paint the wooden frame that sits over the insert. Black works beautifully here, especially when you rub a fingertip of metallic Vintage Brass around the edges to give it a warm, antique sheen. Once everything is dry, glue the frame onto the insert and finish it with twine.
The Lavender Field Ornament
This ornament is soft, dreamy, and perfect for anyone who loves peaceful, nature-inspired art. Start the same way – apply a coat of gesso to the insert and let it dry. With a medium brush, paint a soft sky using light blues, then blend greens underneath to create the look of a bright meadow.
To paint the lavender, use a liner brush and thin green strokes to create tall stems. Then, using purples, violets, and a touch of white, tap small clustered blossoms along each stem. Lavender is naturally loose and delicate, so don’t worry about being precise. If you want the piece to pop even more, add quick outlines with a darker purple or black to emphasize the shapes without tightening them too much.
Seal the artwork with a clear satin varnish, then turn your attention to the frame. A solid black frame with Vintage Brass rubbed along the edges gives the ornament a warm, rustic feel and ties the whole design together. Glue the frame in place, string a piece of twine at the top, and your lavender ornament is ready to hang.
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Supply List:
- Wood Ornaments
- Decoart Media Paints
- DecoArt Extreme Sheen: Vintage Brass
- Adhesive: Zip Dry
- White Gesso
- Brushes: Tracy Weinzapfel Sets
- Decoart Duraclear (Satin)
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