Of all the decor we have on the tree this year these egg carton ornaments are our favorite.
They are;
Recycled √ Colorful √ Has the right amount of bling √ Jingles √What more could you ask for?
Ever since I had seen my friend Jennifer’s, from Brave New Home, Egg Carton spring wreath I had been looking for an excuse to recycle egg cartons. And handmade Christmas decor seemed to be the best opportunity to let leash my egg carton flower craze.
Here’s how you can make one for yourself.
Materials
1 Egg carton (not the Styrofoam kind) 1 bottle Red Craft Paint – I used Holiday Red by CraftSmart from Micheals (think it was $0.50) Glitter, a little goes a long way – Micheals (around $3) Jingle bells -4 per ornament – Dollar store (I got a garland for $1) Twine – Dollar store ($1) Green raffia or ribbon -Already had Mod Podge or Elmer’s glue – Already had A paper plate for glittering Hot Glue Gun Total – $5.50 (I made 4 ornaments and still have materials left over)Tutorial
1. Tear apart your egg carton so that you have individual cups. The edges can look as raggedly as you like. If you want a more cleaner look you can cut them into the needed shape with scissors. Paint each cup red all around (inside and outside). You need 3 cups to make an ornament.
2. Once the paint is dry poke a hole in the center of the cup with a skewer or pencil. Thread your jingle bell on the twine.
3. String the jingle bell along with the twine through the hole.
4. Tie all three of the jingle bell twines together to form a cluster. If you feel that the flowers move around a lot you can hot glue them to each other in addition to the knot. Cut off the excess threads.
5. Knot a piece of the raffia/ribbon into a loop (for hanging) and hot glue it to the center of your flower cluster aka. the knot in between the flowers.
6. Before the glue dries stick a jingle bell over where you attached your hanging raffia/ ribbon loop. This will cover up the original knot and or any glue mess.
7. Coat the edges of the flowers with Mod Podge and dip in a plate of glitter. It is ready to hang on your tree when it is dry.
Wasn’t that super easy and also kid friendly?
Here she is glowing on our tree.
One more shot just because…..
Do you have a favorite recycled craft? Have you made anything out of used egg cartons?
For more Christmas decorating ideas;
The Vanilla Housewife says
Genius! They look so beautiful!
whatsurhomestory says
Thank you Jhanis.
theeastcoastdesi says
This is so very creative……….who knew egg cartons could be turned into beautiful Christmas ornaments. Loved this Vidya:)
whatsurhomestory says
Thanks Sruthi. Adding the glitter was a last minute idea. I’m so glad I did that.
V
kelseyapley says
These are seriously stunning, and what a creative idea!!! You are so crafty!!!
whatsurhomestory says
Thank you Kelsey. Was sure fun to make.
V
Jennifer @ Brave New Home says
These turned out lovely! I’m totally digging all your handmade ornaments this year. Did you find cutting out egg cartons surprisingly more difficult than you expected? Maybe it was just the sheer amount I needed for my wreath but my hands were definitely hurting!
whatsurhomestory says
Thanks Jennifer. Not really I just tore them apart with my hands. Maybe because I used the paper mâché kinda carton? Or it could be that I didn’t have to make so many.
tshirtqueen says
Great project, will try it. Thinking of modifying this project for other holidays.
whatsurhomestory says
Thank U!
Andi says
They look great!! You asked what we’ve made from them, and it brought back some old memories. My Mom used to make angels, Christmas trees and daffodils out of egg carton cups, and I used to cut them into half eggshells to put the little fuzzy yellow chicks in them for Easter, and also as a many segmented caterpillar that grew wings and turned into a butterfly. I love the endless possibilities that creative minds can come up with! Thanks for the inspiration and warmest wishes for the season 🙂
whatsurhomestory says
Thank you Andi. Wow your mom’s so creative. Egg carton daffodils in spring sounds like a great idea. Will try to make them. Happy holidays!
Kim@NewlyWoodwards says
This is so creative! I love that it’s upcycled, but I would have never known that it started as a egg carton (not that there’s anything wrong with that). But, it’s truly beautiful.
Thanks so much for linking up to Dare to DIY!
whatsurhomestory says
Thanks Kim. Was really fun to make.
cassie says
these are adorable! and i love crafts like this that my kids can get in on, too!
whatsurhomestory says
Thanks Cassie. Yeah my kids painted the whole thing and dipped them glitter etc.
V
Lynn says
These are gorgeous, thanks so much for sharing!
whatsurhomestory says
Thanks Lynn!
Sailaja says
They do look like silk Amaryllis, it’s a neat idea for otherwise trashed egg carton.
whatsurhomestory says
Thanks Sailaja!
Diane Cloteaux says
I am going to have 3 of my grandchildren this weekend so I think I just might go to the craft store and get the supplies and let them make me something for my tree. This looks easy and wonderful on the tree and I think they will enjoy doing something like this.
whatsurhomestory says
That sounds like fun Diane! Happy Holidays!