Article: The Tiniest Angels - Mini Spun Cotton Ornaments
The Tiniest Angels - Mini Spun Cotton Ornaments
Dangling from a pine branch, or tied to a package, these teeny tiny angels are adorable, and so easy to make! I had these small spun cotton cones made in the Czech Republic, and paired with head made from a 14mm spun cotton ball, I think the scale and shape is just right. Of course, you do not need to use spun cotton for this project at all. Simple cones made from clay, or rolled up cardstock glued at the back would also do just fine, and a wooden bead would be charming for the head. I have miniature foiled Dresden wings that fit, or you can cut out wings from decorative papers.
The painting is simple, just little shapes painted one at a time, and I will lay out the steps below. If you are a confident painter, by all means, embellish!
Supplies:
I have assembled some supply packs that have the cones, heads, and wings here:
or you can get the components separately:
other materials needed:
- Glue
- Craft paints: You'll need colors for the gowns, skin tone colors, and black for accents
- Paintbrushes - for the hair I used a bedraggled calligraphy brush, maybe you have a sad paintbrush in your collection
- Cotton embroidery thread, or other string or button thread for hanging loops.
- Bamboo Skewers, toothpicks
- Optionally, foil stars or stickers to cover the hole on the underside
Assembly Video:
Step 1 Paint Cones and Heads:
Insert skewers into the cones and balls. Paint the cones in the colors of your choice for the gowns, and the heads in the skin tones. Stick the skewers into a cup or foam block until they are dry.
Step 2 Attach Heads:
Glue the heads onto the cones. If you are making ornaments, position the hole at the top of the head to allow for the hanging loops. Press the heads onto the top of the cones, and hold until the glue sets.
Step 3 Decorative Painting:
-Use a worn out paintbrush to paint the hair on the heads. Brush toward the face in short strokes, leaving just a small area open at the front for the face. You can get creative with hairstyles, adding bangs, etc.
-Use a small pointed brush to paint on the sleeves: Start by painting a tall 'X' on the top half of the cone. Then extend two lines out from either side of the bottom of the X to complete the sleeve shape.
-Dip a toothpick in black paint and dot on the eyes
-Dip a toothpick in red or pink paint and dot on the mouth
-Dip the flat end of a skewer in pink paint to dot on the cheeks
-Dip the flat end of a skewer in the skin tone paint, and place a dot at the center of the 'X' sleeves to make hands.
Step 4 Hanging Loops:
Measure out some string, each 7-8" long. Knot the ends together to make a loop, and snip off the tails just under the knot. Apply glue to the hole at the top of the head, and use the point of a skewer to push the knot down inside. Let dry.
Step 5 Wings:
You can apply wings straight on the backs of the angels, or bend them slightly to give them dimension. Apply a dot of glue to the center of the wings, press onto the back of the angel, and let dry.
Step 6 Stars:
Optionally, you may cover the holes on the underside with foil stars, stickers, or circles cut from paper.
