Article: Easy Christmas Star with German Glass Glitter
Easy Christmas Star with German Glass Glitter
Today I'm working on a sweet and simple Christmas craft using sparkly silver German glass glitter. This year's Christmas tree is a little bit on the Charlie Brown side- it's a young Douglas fir, pretty spindly, but it just caught my eye at the tree lot and had to come with me. I had planned on using my lighted tree star, but that was a no-go. It was so heavy that the top of the tree would not hold it, so I decided to whip up a handmade star tree topper that could tie to the trunk rather than sit on top of it. The design is simple- a flat elongated star, sparkly on both sides. You can embellish further to suit your style.
This star is made with 50pt chipboard, which is fairly thick, but still thin enough that it can be cut with scissors. When working with German glass glitter, the background color tends to show through a little bit, especially near the edges. It also will tarnish over time, darkening, and becoming a warmer tone. So I thought the black would really blend in the best as the glitter oxidizes and develops its patina.
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Supplies
- Free printable template (below)
- Two sheets 8 1/2 x 11" 50pt black chipboard
- Sharp scissors
- Awl
- White pencil
- Elmer's Glue-All
- Large, soft paintbrush
- Approx. 2 ounces silver German glass glitter
- 4 ft Rayon seam binding ribbon (I am using "carafe green")
- 30 gauge silver craft wire
- Glue stick
- Stack of books for pressing
- Parchment paper
- Masking tape
Star Tree Topper Template (download and print at 100%):
Step 1: Print out the star template above and cut it out with scissors. Use a white pencil to trace the star on both sheets of black chipboard. Cut out the stars.
Step 2: Use an awl to poke through the holes in the template, and then use the template to poke the holes through each of the chipboard stars. Watch your fingers while poking out the holes with the awl, or use a stack of scrap cardboard underneath the stars.
Step 3: Apply glue stick to both of the stars, and then press them together for about 30 seconds to secure a bond. Then, place a stack of books on top until the star is dry. If any of the holes have been obscured by bits of paper or glue, re-poke them with the awl.
Step 4: With a large, soft paintbrush, apply a layer of undiluted glue to the entire back of the star. Apply the glue thickly, smoothing it out with your paintbrush to make it even and without drips.
Spoon glitter over the surface, collecting the excess into a bowl. Tap the sides of the star to dislodge any loose glitter, and lay flat to dry for about 45 minutes or until the glue is no longer wet to the touch.
Step 5: To achieve a smooth and even glitter application, try to complete the rest of the star all at once. Hold the star from the back. If the texture of the glitter bothers your hands, you can wear gloves. Paint glue along all of the edges of the star, and then cover the entire front of the star with glue. Then, spoon glitter over the front and edges, checking for any areas that may have been missed. Lay flat to dry.
Once dry, there may be some warping to the shape of the star. Sandwich it between sheets of parchment paper, and lay a stack of books on top overnight to fully flatten.
Step 6: Cut about 4 feet of rayon seam binding in the color of your choice. Wrap the ends of the ribbon with little pieces of masking tape, and thread the ends through the holes at the top of the star back-to-front.
Cut a piece of 30 gauge wire about 10 inches long. Feed then ends through the lower holes in the star front-to-back.
To attach the star topper to the tree, slide the ribbon loop over the tree top. Twist the wires tightly against the trunk. Pull the ribbon taught, and tie a floppy bow.
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