Homemade Christmas Ornaments

"Jingle Bells"

Submitted by Sherry Thompson of NJ

Sometimes I feel like such a "wanna-be" crafter. I have tons of stuff but hardly ever make anything. And when I do make something I tend to criticize my skills and my creativity too much. Well, I saw this ornament in a book and wanted to make it, but I'm a novice crafter and this ornament looked too hard for me. I eventually put the book aside and forgot about it. Eight years later while cleaning out the basement I found the book and remembered the ornament, read and re-read the instructions, and realized that maybe I could do it. Determined, I bought the supplies, and made the ornaments (I made 12). I thought they were so beautiful and I was so proud. In fact, every year while placing these ornaments on our tree I bore my husband with this story, and flaunt my creation, "remember these? – aren't these great? – I made these you know!!!"  

Supplies for one sleigh bell ornament:

- Nine 5/8 inch bells

- an 8 inch length of 24 gauge brass wire

- a 10 inch length of 5/8 inch wide ribbon

- an 8 inch length of ¼ inch wide ribbon

- a 9 inch length of gold cord for hanging

Instructions:

Insert about 1 inch of wire through the hanger of one bell and twist to secure.

String remaining bells onto wire. The first bell will be at the bottom.

Make a bow out of the 5/8 inch ribbon and secure to the top of the bells by wrapping wire around center of bow.

Form a wire loop above the bow and twist to secure; trim excess wire.

Insert the gold hanging cord through the wire loop and tie ends.

Make a bow with the ¼ inch wide ribbon and glue to the center of the other bow to conceal the wire.

Homemade Christmas Ornaments Index