Easy fine lines on glass ornaments.

[putrid]

Thought I'd share a technique for getting real fine lines painted on a glass ornament. I use fabric paint. The kind in the tubes. With a little practice you can get real fine swirls, straight lines and lettering. The trick is to always drag the paint. Never push into the line. To illustrate better try using an ink pen to make a circle. Hold the pen so that the tip is about 45 angle. We'll call the cap end of the pen the front. You always want to keep the cap end of the pen moving forward. So your dragging the ink on. If you end up moving the tip forward you'll 'push' the paint and cause lumps and smudges.

Dress it up by using a fine glitter to give it some sparkle.

[Sickie Ickie]

This sounds like an awesome tip! Have any pics?

[putrid]

Ya, but unfortunately right now I can't get to any of my free sites from Earthlink. Haven't contacted them to find out why. Will have to do that over the week end. It's easier to chat on dial up when everyone else is asleep. LOL

[Elvira]

I would like to see pics as well. I suck at straight lines, can't even imagine them being thin lines LOL

[bethene]

Sounds like something to try! Thank Putrid, looking forward to the pics

[putrid]

Now that this site has photo albums I'll be able to load directly here. Totally cool Larry! Thanks dude! I'll do that sometime after work in the morning.

Try moving your entire arm instead of just the tube when making straight lines. Also for curves depend more on moving the ornament itself instead of just your wrist.

[putrid]

All of these ornaments were painted with tub cloths paints. The two outer ornaments have fine glitter added to the lines. The one in the middle is my 'fugly' ball. LOL

http://www.christmasfanclub.com/picture.php?albumid=2&pictureid=2

Sorry the pic is kinda dark. Hope you can still get the idea of what can be done.

[Sickie Ickie]

Those sure are Purty!

[Clarice]

I like your fugly ball.

[Mummy deer-est]

Fugly is an awesome word. Really, it is.

But those are all wonderful, Putrid!

[Sickie Ickie]

I agree, as usual, with Putrid's work. :)

[bethene]

Putrid, those are incredable, very beautiful ornaments!!

[putrid]

Thanks folks. And none of them are hard to do. Fugly took the longest and started with a pink glass ball. The one on the right has a band of white trim with fringe tassels. I painted part of the trim gold. The one on the far left I can a pumpkin ball The diamond shapes are cut from silver ribbon. I ruffed the area on the ornament first by scratching up the finish. Then glued the diamond shapes on with a clear glue.

After trial and error I've found that the more simple the design the better the ornament shows up on a tree.

[bethene]

you need to do a tutorial and put it on the santasprojects page! I would love to make those, have alot of ornaments around that I could use!:)

[putrid]

Thanks Bethene. First I'll have to get the web site in order. Or together, or at least something to show for all the time I've spent doing everything wrong and then redoing everything again and it goes on and on and ... LOL Right now it's like I'm paying for a parking spot and I don't have a car. LOL

[Elvira]

LOL @ paying for a parking spot and don't have a car.

[Nancj]

Uhhgg!! I could just kick myself for tossing out all the old ornaments I had two years ago. Especially bc they belonged to hubbys grandma. they were glass and after so many years I didn't know what else to do with them they were looking very tarnished.
Putrid those are amazing! I like the fugly one also. we'll just have to place that one with the misfit toys:)

[Mummy deer-est]

Just have to reiterate my appreciation of fugly.
I highly encourage everyone to use it at least once while in this thread, if only to salute Putrid -- for not only his wonderful crafty abilities, but his always colorful use of words.

You always make me smile, Putrid! I didn't realized fugly could be used as a name too!

[putrid]

After everything I've been called? You would be surprised what can be used as a name. LOL

Thanks Mummy deer-est. Your post made me smile. I needed that today.

[Mummy deer-est]

Glad to return the favor. *hugs*

[Sickie Ickie]

Anyone have any insulin? :p

[Nancj]

why use insulin, when HUG AND KISSES make everything better?

[Mummy deer-est]

Oh, Sickie, I know you have an evil mind, but you know you have an ooey-gooey chocolately center -- just burstin with sugary goodness. (In a non-sexual, kind of way.)
;)

[Sickie Ickie]

I admit it. I'm a huge softy. My wife and I tease each other that she plays the guys role, and I play the girl's role since I let emotions affect me so much. heh

[putrid]

And I have all the emotions of a bag of sand. OK, more like kitty litter. LOL

[Sickie Ickie]

That's sh_ _ _Y. LOL

[putrid]

It's not polite to call it sh__. Think of me full of cat box cookies. LOL

I guess the easiest way to get the hang of making lines is to get a spare glass ornament and try this. Looking at it directly form the top use the hoop as a guide and make two dots on opposite sides close to the cap. Now put dots at equal spacings between those two. Be like looking at a clock. You'd have a dot at 12, 3, 6 and 9. Now move the ball wile adding the thin paint line from a dot to the bottom of the ornament. Then back up the other side to the opposite dote. If you find your missing the dot wipe off the paint and try again. You could also just go from each dot to the bottom of the ball. Try making each line in one motion. This will aid in keeping them even and smudge free.
If your ornament is old and ruff enough you could try using a pencil to make practice lines as well. I have a box of ornaments half or more covered with practices and failed experiments each. Doesn't matter what color they start out and and always good to have around for trials and experiments.