I am a completist. So even though everyone may be tired of hearing about making vintage ornament wreaths <– tutorial here, I need to do this story — about making these wreaths using new ornaments, instead of old. Some folks want to use new ornaments — because they cannot get their hot hands on the vintage… because they prefer not to shoot up their precious vintage ornies with hot glue… or because vintage is too costly. Making two wreaths using new ornaments, I discovered a fourth reason to try it with the new: To hone your skills. Strangely, perhaps, as I continue to make more wreaths (for friends and family), I am not finding it “easier” to make wreaths that please me 100% — I am finding it more difficult. Maybe I am getting pickier, or over-thinking it. In any case: Even if you have an innate talent for something, there is nothing like practice practice practice. And no question, it’s way less stressful — albeit, still not super cheap to practice on new ornaments! Read on for my tips on where to buy vintage-style ornaments new — and where to find the best prices.
As you can see from the two photos above, I made two wreaths using new ornaments. Based on the ornaments I found, I made the wreaths in two color combinations:
- (1) red-green-silver-gold…
- and (2) aqua, pink, silver, gold and blue.
I chose these two color combinations after seeing and buying the vintage style ornaments at Target — shown above. Yes, Target has glommed onto the retro Santa’s sled more than any other retailer I was able to spot, and this season, has sets of ornaments that mimic vintage Shiny Brites. The sets come in the red/green or pink/aqua color sets (more or less).
#1 — Target (above): So my first piece of advice if you want to start a wreath using new ornaments: Start with Target’s ornies, pick one color way or the other, and then build out your other ornaments from other retailers, who have other shopping advantages, I found…
#2 — Big Lots (above): For 2.5″ balls to circle the outside of your wreath form, I found that Big Lots generally had the best deal. You could get 15 @ 2.5″ ornaments for $5 (before any sales). There were similar el-cheapo deals on smaller — including 1″ diameter — ornaments in a variety of colors — some with little flocked designs even. When you are making ornament wreaths, it is super good to have itsy ornaments like the one-inchers (and even smaller) on hand. TIP: Both Kate and I agreed that we tended to favor filling in gaps on our wreaths with small balls in silver (especially) and gold on all our wreaths — these lighten up the wreath and sort of help your eye dance all around it. If you want to save money, focus on acquiring the silver and gold itsy balls — at Big Lots, you could buy 54 for $5!. Of course, having some color one-inchers on hand is nice, too, to add dimension and pop.
While Big Lots was cheapest to buy balls in bulk, this store had limited color and design selection, so next I would go to…
#3 — Michael’s (above): Michael’s has a lot of ornament diversity — and started having sales pretty early in December, which made their generally-higher prices more palatable. Note, I loved their selection of decorative ornaments — flocked! — for the front of the wreath; Michael’s was definitely the best source for decoratives to complement the Target Shiny Brites. I love Michael’s red-white, green-white and red-green-white ornaments in particular — I’ve become a huge fan of the green/red/silver/white/gold wreath combination — a real crowd-pleaser. Michael’s also had a good selection of 2.5″ balls for the outside in colors beyond those available at Big Lots.
Finally, #4 — K-Mart (above): K-Mart also was good for colors for the outside rounds, particularly in the Sandra Lee collection. For ornie bling, I also loved the faux-chrome-plated plastic stag — just like the vintage one, only it’s a bit bigger.
My key tips if you want to make a wreath using new:
- Decide on a focused colorway — and collect narrowly in that colorway. Start with Target… then Big Lots, and check out Michael’s, too, especially if you can get ornaments on sale.
- For the outside ring of a 14″ foam wreath, you will need 20 @ 2.5″ round ornaments. Kate and I then counted we each use AT LEAST 24 ornaments for the top of the wreath. In this wreaths featured in this story, I used 38 top-ornaments on my red/green wreath above… and 35 ornaments on my pink/blue wreath… the number you use depends on the size of these top ornaments and also the size of your weebits and how how you fit the top ornaments around your weebits. Finally, we have found that up to 30 smalls to fill in; you could use more or less. The more ornaments you have to work with for the front of that wreath, the ‘easier’ it will be to create a pleasing design. This is work — there are now lots of photos of ornament wreaths online — study these photos for design ideas, don’t just jump into a hot glue frenzy.
- In addition – you need kitschy weebits like the stag, or small Santas, or floral picks or whatever to work into your wreath. I tend to think: At least three focal points on the front of the wreath, I like doing one at about 2 o’clock, one at 5 o’clock and a third (‘heavier’ / good feng shui) one on the left about 9 o’clock.
- I did not try to “age” my new ornaments. Maybe someday I will do these. Meanwhile, I will just try… using them for 25 years. That should do it.
All this said, I could not get this story published fast enough — because I was back at Michael’s the other day, and they are already so discounted that they are running low on stock. In addition, good luck getting a wreath form. The shelves are wiped clean in my town. Ack. Next year, I will be sure to get all my stock well in advance. In fact, if you are making multiple wreaths, it may be smarter to buy in bulk from Amazon or other online retailers, where you can save a goodly chunk of dough re mi.
See all our ornament wreath stories:
Janice Gunning says
Your website has inspired me to try my hand at a vintage ornament wreath. I have several hundred vintage ornaments hoarded in my basement. Spring brings many garage sales to my part of the world.
Although your designs set the bar very high, I was pleased with my first attempt at a mercury glass wreath. I glued the ornies directly to the styrofoam form. Some of the bulbs did not glue securely. As soon as I picked it up to hang, the paint pulled away from the bulbs causing near disaster. I re-glued them where the paint was absent and they are fine now.
Would using garland on the form eliminate this issue? Have you ever experienced this? I see where some wreath-a-nistas recommend removing some of the paint with nail polish remover. That seems extreme. Do you have any less-drastic suggestions how I should proceed?
I made another wreath with plastic ornaments only. That one wears like iron and is gorgeous.
Thanks for your guidance and inspiration.
pam kueber says
We basically use Georgia Peachez’ technique and she recommends wrapping the styrofoam form with thick tinsel. The glue sticks to the tinsel. I often double dab to adjaccent ornies, too, but not always. See our tutorial as well — https://retrorenovation.com/2013/11/18/30-tips-how-to-make-vintage-christmas-ornament-wreath/
“Wreathanistas”? WE are the wreathanistas — with Georgia P as our Queen!
Ann Dudek says
We had such a great time making these!! They turned out beautiful! Thanks for all the great tips. Is there somewhere on your site where we can see one’s that other people made?
Thanks again…love your site!
pam kueber says
Hi Ann, we just put up the Uploader yesterday, let’s see yours, too –> https://retrorenovation.com/2014/12/10/photos-diy-christmas-ornament-wreaths/
Brittany says
Thanks for this! I discovered these wreaths after way Christmas last year. I’m making one of bright colors(hot pink, purple, orange, lime green, turquoise and red) this year. I’ve always done our tree in those colors so some of my old ornaments and some that I’ve picked up this year are being made into a wreath. Just gotta find some cute add ons for it. Target has tubes of the bright shatterproof ones in the dollar spot this year, Family Dollar has cute word and peacock ornaments. Most of mine though are ones from my tree that I’m replacing because they have a scratch or have bare glitter spot. 🙂 Also if people know they’re going to make more after Christmas, I scored a 48 pack of 2.5″ and 2 18 packs of 2″ of shatterproof ones last year after Christmas for 90% off at Target. $2.50 for all of them.
Aukje says
Hi! What gorgeous wraths have you made. I am trilled! I was wondering how much the boxes aqua, pink, silver, gold and blue from Target cost? And are they shipping worldwide? I would really like to buy them..
Erika says
I was hoping Target would have the same repro vintage style ornaments. My Target unfortunately doesn’t, at least not ones quite like Pam got last year. The box was $20, and the ornaments are vintage shapes, but they are mostly clear with tinsel inside. Certainly pretty, but not helpful if you don’t want hot glue to show through. I had the best luck finding vintage style ornaments at Hobby Lobby (they have a lot of flocked kinds) and Kmart (the Christopher Radko line especially). Walmart also had some nice offerings. Big Lots is still the way to go for solid color glass ornaments. They have red, silver, gold and blue for $5 for 15 larger sized ornaments.
Erika says
Oops forgot to mention dollar stores were also good sources!
pam kueber says
Yes, and don’t forget Michaels — and always check online for coupons first.
Laney says
Pam,
Have you (or anyone else) had a problem with the cold (or hot) causing the glue to fail? Anybody wired these together?
Thanks!
pam kueber says
I have not had my wreaths long enough to comment on this. I store them in the basement, where the temp is relatively stable. Not in the attic, where temp variations get extreme…
Laney says
Do you only use these indoors?
pam kueber says
Yes. I believe that if water hits the ornaments they will delaminate in a heartbeat.
Karen Collins says
Pam & Kate, These are awesome! These have inspired me to try and make smaller wreaths to hang on the tree using the little miniature ornaments. Think it will work?
pam kueber says
Woah, that will be cool. Send us photos when you are done!
Scott says
Okay, I have to admit I am much more heart happy to see these done with new ornaments. I like to see the vintage bulbs on trees, even the ones with a few spots and flaws look beautiful and shine like new once they are on a tree. And as you have proved with these two beauties you don’t have to give up a thing style-wise.
The first one (strangely?) looks good enough to eat, like those colorful hard candies that used to be so popular, and the color scheme on the second one is stunning. I’ve never held a hot glue gun in my life but I have to admit these certainly make the thought tempting.
Mary Kay says
You can store your precious ornaments in take out drink trays. Stack them….
Gracie Manasco says
I’ve seen Shiny Brite re-pops at my local TJ Maxx stores…. FYI… although they may all be gone by now…
tammyCA says
The new wreaths are really pretty. I’m glad to see more vintage-y ornaments at the stores..I won’t have a problem gluing those since I can’t bear to do it to vintage.
I’ll have to see if there are any left at the stores..I did buy some little retro ones at Big lots that look super on my little white pre-lit tree (from Wal-Mart..I’m so glad I got it as it is the first fake tree I’ve ever had & I love how all my ornaments shine out).
I bet the little dioramas from Kate’s tutorial could be used on the wreaths…I finally made one last night and it turned out very cute.
Btw, I bought some Martha Stewart glass ball ornaments a few years back and they are already “aged” now, like the color just flaked off!
pam kueber says
Yes, Tammy, great minds think alike because I just used one of my dioramas on a wreath I made. Photo here: https://retrorenovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/ornament-wreaths.jpg