Decoupage, Glitter, and Snow: Christmas Shelf Sitters Made Easy
Sometimes the best craft projects are the ones that don't begin with a strict plan.
In this tutorial, Donna from Mason Creations etc. starts with two simple wooden shelf sitters and lets the project develop as she goes.
A decoupaged mitten and Christmas tree become the center of a miniature holiday display with glitter, rhinestones, faux fur, greenery, a bottle brush tree, snow, and a few unexpected finishing touches.
Watch the video below to follow Donna's creative process, then use these steps to make your own Christmas shelf sitter display.
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Materials You Can Shop Here
You can shop the featured finishes and supplies below, then use the tutorial steps to bring the project together.
- Chunky Shelf Sitters
- Polyvine Heavy Duty Varnish
- Christmas Napkin
- Christmas Rice Paper
- Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint
- Pentart Acrylic Paint
- Polyvine Glitter Paint Maker
- Antiquing Medium & Wax Rub
- Brushes & Tools
Also Needed
Mini Craft Christmas Tree, Twine, Snow-Tex Paste, Rhinestones, Christmas Greenery, Faux Fur, Ribbon, Small Wooden Tray
Step 1: Sand the Wooden Shapes
Start with unfinished wooden shelf sitters.
Lightly sand the edges until they feel smooth.
Remove any sanding dust before painting.
Step 2: Paint Both Sides White
Paint the front and back of each wooden shape with Dixie Belle Chalk Paint in Cotton.
White is an important base color under both napkins and rice paper because these materials are somewhat translucent.
A white background keeps the printed colors bright and vibrant.
Let the paint dry for about 30 minutes.
Step 3: Prepare the Napkin for the Mitten
Choose the section of the napkin you want to use.
Donna selects the area carefully so a wide gold stripe and decorative gold dots fall in the right place on the mitten.
Separate the napkin plies and keep only the top printed layer.
If the plies are difficult to separate, lightly scratch one corner with your fingernail until they begin to pull apart.
Trim away some of the extra napkin so it is easier to handle.
Using the Water Method for Wrinkle-Free Napkin Decoupage
Step 4: Place the Napkin on Plastic
Lay a piece of clear plastic from a storage bag on your work surface.
Place the printed napkin ply face down on the plastic.
Spray the napkin generously with water.
Donna emphasizes that plenty of water is useful with this method.
Step 5: Ease Out the Ripples
As the napkin absorbs water, it expands.
Gently ease the napkin outward from the edges.
Avoid pulling from the center.
If the napkin does not slide easily over the wet plastic, add more water.
This helps remove the larger ripples that develop as the paper expands. As the napkin dries later, it shrinks slightly and helps pull out some of the remaining tiny wrinkles.
Step 6: Apply Varnish to the Mitten
Brush Polyvine Heavy Duty Varnish onto the wooden mitten.
Donna uses the varnish as her decoupage adhesive.
Step 7: Transfer the Wet Napkin
Lift the plastic with the wet napkin still attached and lower it onto the mitten.
Because the plastic is transparent, you can see exactly where the design is positioned.
The water holds the napkin against the plastic, allowing you to make small adjustments before pressing it down.
Step 8: Smooth the Napkin
Use a folded napkin or paper towel over the plastic to gently press out bubbles and wrinkles.
Then slowly lift away the plastic.
If you need to press down a loose area, use the wet plastic again rather than your finger. A wet napkin can easily stick to your finger and tear or lift.
Let the mitten dry for several hours.
Decoupaging the Christmas Tree with Rice Paper
Step 9: Choose the Rice Paper Placement
Select the part of the rice paper you want to feature.
Donna positions a large poinsettia near the top of the tree and keeps the candy cane design visible throughout the shape.
Cut a piece slightly larger than the wooden tree.
Step 10: Apply the Rice Paper
Position the paper.
Lift one end and brush Polyvine Heavy Duty Varnish underneath.
Press the paper down using more varnish on your brush.
Repeat at the opposite end and continue until the entire piece is adhered.
Let it dry for a couple of hours.
Step 11: Sand Away the Excess Paper
Use medium-grit sandpaper to remove napkin or rice paper extending past the wood.
Sand downward, never upward.
A downward motion trims the paper cleanly without encouraging the edge to lift.
For tight corners, Donna snips away some of the excess with scissors first, then finishes with sandpaper.
Step 12: Decoupage the Back
Repeat the decoupage process on the back of both shelf sitters.
This gives the pieces a finished appearance if they are ever displayed where both sides can be seen.
Step 13: Build a Smooth Protective Finish
Apply three coats of Polyvine Heavy Duty Varnish in Satin to both sides.
Let each coat dry for about one hour before applying the next.
This creates a smooth, polished finish while protecting the napkin and rice paper.
Adding Gold and Antiquing
Step 14: Paint the Side Edges Gold
Use Pentart Delicate Gold Paint on the narrow wood edges.
A flat-sided sponge dauber makes this easier because it can run evenly along the side without spreading much paint onto the decorated front.
If a little paint gets onto the varnished surface, it can be wiped away before it dries.
Let the gold dry for about 30 minutes.
Step 15: Antique the Edges
The pieces may still look a little flat at this stage.
Dampen a sponge and add a small amount of FolkArt Antiquing Medium.
Blot off the excess, then dab the antique around the edges.
The darker color creates a slight shadow and gives the shapes more depth.
Let the antiquing dry, then seal it with another coat of Heavy Duty Varnish.
Adding Glitter and Rhinestones
Step 16: Mix Glitter into Varnish
Put a few drops of varnish into a small cup.
Mix in Glitter Paint Maker.
Because the glitter is suspended in varnish, it is much easier to control than loose glitter. Once dry, the varnish becomes clear and helps keep the glitter in place.
Step 17: Add Glitter to the Mitten
Dab the glitter mixture onto the wide gold stripe.
Use a dry brush to straighten the edge if necessary.
Donna stops before reaching the bottom because faux fur will be added there later.
Step 18: Add Glitter to the Tree
Look for small areas in the rice paper that could use extra sparkle.
Donna adds glitter to the little bells printed on the Christmas tree.
Step 19: Add Rhinestones
Use rhinestones to bring more dimension to the printed details.
Donna uses gold faceted stones over the dots on the mitten and red rhinestones on the tree.
Polyvine varnish can also be used to attach the rhinestones. It dries clear and avoids the thick visible ring that some traditional glues can leave.
Adding Faux Fur, Bows, and Greenery
Step 20: Add Faux Fur to the Mitten
Cut a strip of white faux fur.
Glue the lower edge to the bottom of the mitten first.
Wrap the fur around, then roll the upper edge inward so the raw edge is hidden.
Step 21: Add a Bow and Greenery
Donna adds a red bow and small pieces of Christmas greenery to the mitten.
She briefly experiments with gold balls, decides they do not work with the design, and removes them.
This project is a good reminder that embellishments do not need to stay simply because you tried them.
Step 22: Add Twine to the Tree
Wrap twine around the bottom of the tree.
The natural texture adds a slightly woodsy touch and contrasts nicely with the gold and glitter.
Step 23: Make the Tree Bow
Add a gold bow to the top of the tree.
Donna places a small white snowflake in the center.
Before attaching the bow, she decides the wooden edges need one more layer of shimmer.
Step 24: Highlight the Edges with Gold Wax
Apply Redesign Décor Wax in Eternal around the edges of both shelf sitters.
Use just a small amount on your fingertip and lightly rub it along the edge.
Once dry, the wax develops a brighter metallic shine.
Turning the Shelf Sitters into a Christmas Scene
Step 25: Paint a Small Wooden Tray
Donna originally plans to display the two finished pieces by themselves but decides they would look better together on a small tray.
Paint the tray white, including the outer edges so the display looks finished from every angle.
Step 26: Arrange the Shelf Sitters
Glue the mitten toward the front of the tray.
Place the Christmas tree behind it and slightly to one side.
Before the glue even dries, Donna decides the arrangement needs a third element.
Step 27: Add a Bottle Brush Tree
Add a small bottle brush Christmas tree to complete the grouping.
Using three main vertical elements creates a fuller display and makes the arrangement feel intentional.
Step 28: Add Snow
Use a palette knife to spread Snow-Tex over the tray.
Work it around the shelf sitters, between the trees, and onto the base of the bottle brush tree.
The textured product creates the look of freshly fallen snow.
Step 29: Add Glitter to the Snow
While the Snow-Tex is still wet, sprinkle glitter over it.
Let everything dry for several hours.
Step 30: Add Greenery Around the Base
Donna initially thinks the display is finished, but after looking at it for a while, she decides the tray still needs something.
Small greenery branches are added around the outer edges.
This frames the display and visually connects the shelf sitters, tree, and snowy base.
Step 31: Add One Last Christmas Detail
A tiny Christmas gift becomes the final addition.
And this time, the project really is finished.
Sometimes the Best Projects Grow as You Create
One of the most useful parts of this tutorial is not a specific product or technique—it's seeing how a project can evolve.
Donna begins with two wooden shapes and a very simple plan. As the pieces come together, she experiments with glitter, rhinestones, faux fur, bows, greenery, a tray, snow, a bottle brush tree, and finally a tiny present.
Some ideas stay. Others get removed.
That is often how handmade projects develop. You do not always have to know exactly what the finished piece will look like before you begin.
The combination of decoupage, gold edges, vintage antiquing, sparkle, soft faux fur, and snowy greenery turns two inexpensive wooden shelf sitters into a cheerful little Christmas scene.
A special thank-you to Donna from Mason Creations etc. for sharing not only the techniques, but also the creative decision-making behind this project.
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