There is something deeply satisfying about a Christmas ornament that catches the light from every angle and throws it back across the room in a dozen different directions.
These sequin covered baubles do exactly that, and they were inspired by a beautiful version spotted over at Bored and Crafty. Jewel tones were the obvious choice here: rich, punchy and completely at home among the glow of Christmas tree lights.
Fair warning upfront: these take time. Each sequin goes on individually, and covering an entire styrofoam ball requires patience and a good playlist. The finished result, however, is the kind of ornament that draws compliments every single year and looks far more expensive and elaborate than the materials involved would suggest.
What You Need
- Sequins, and plenty of them
- Sequin pins
- Seed beads
- Elmer’s glue
- Styrofoam ball
- Twine, ribbon or similar for hanging
How to Make Them
Step 1: Thread the Pin
Take a sequin pin and thread a seed bead onto it first, followed by a sequin. The bead sits on top of the sequin once pinned in place, holding it down securely while adding a small additional sparkle detail of its own.
Step 2: Add a Drop of Glue
Place a small dot of Elmer’s glue directly onto the styrofoam ball at the spot where the sequin will sit. The glue adds an extra layer of security and keeps the sequins from shifting around over time.
Step 3: Pin the Sequin in Place
Press the pin through the sequin and bead and into the styrofoam ball, right over the drop of glue. The pin anchors everything firmly in place while the glue sets.
Step 4: Cover the Entire Ball
Repeat the process, working across the surface of the ball and placing sequins close together so that no styrofoam is visible between them. This is the meditative part of the project. Put on something good to watch or listen to and settle in. The coverage builds gradually, and the moment the ball tips over from partially covered to nearly finished is genuinely exciting.
Step 5: Add a Hanger
To finish, cut a short length of twine or ribbon and fold it into a loop. Push the final pin through the base of the loop, apply a generous dot of glue and press the pin into the top of the ornament. Hold it in place for a moment and allow the glue to set before hanging.
Prefer a different display option? These ornaments look stunning gathered together in a clear glass vase or bowl, no hanger required. The sequins catch and reflect the ambient light beautifully from any angle.
Making one of these each year and building a collection over time is the kind of holiday tradition that pays off slowly but spectacularly. A tree full of handmade sequin ornaments accumulated over many seasons would be something genuinely special to look forward to every December.