How to Make an Antique-Look Christmas Ornament

Have you ever wished you could turn a simple plastic ornament into something that looks like antique porcelain? This beautiful Christmas project does exactly that. With soft blue florals, delicate cracks, and shimmering clay accents, Donna shows how to create an ornament that looks straight out of a vintage holiday display.

Our friend Donna from Mason Creations etc. brings this transformation to life with decoupage, clay molding, crackle techniques, and gorgeous finishing details.

Watch the video below to follow along.

Step 1 – Prep the Plastic Bauble

Donna glues the two halves of the ornament together using Aleene’s Tacky Glue, wipes away excess, and tapes it securely while it dries. Because plastic surfaces need help gripping paint, she brushes on Polyvine Multi-Surface Lacquer (Dead Flat) and lets it dry overnight. This step removes shine and creates the perfect surface for paint and rice paper.

Step 2 – Paint a Bright Base

Once dry, Donna gives the ornament two coats of Dixie Belle Cotton Chalk Paint. A white base allows the pale blue rice paper florals to remain crisp, bright, and true to color.

Step 3 – Prepare the Rice Paper Florals

Using a water brush, Donna separates the floral rice paper designs, tearing instead of cutting. Soft torn edges blend naturally into paint and avoid the harsh lines scissors can create. She removes as much white background as possible to keep the porcelain look clean and delicate.

Step 4 – Decoupage Without Wrinkles

Since the ornament is round, Donna trims tiny slits around the images so they lay flat. She applies Polyvine Heavy Duty Wood Varnish as adhesive and works in sections, gently smoothing each floral piece with a misted plastic sheet. Any gaps are filled with torn snippets of leftover rice paper for seamless coverage.

Step 5 – Create and Attach Clay Scrollwork

To add dimension, Donna molds Das clay into decorative scrolls, freezes them for 20 minutes, and trims them to fit around the hanger. She glues the clay on while still damp so it conforms to the curve of the bauble, pressing edges firmly for full contact. The ornament dries overnight.

Step 6 – Paint and Add Fine Cracks

The clay embellishments are painted with Pentart Silver Metallic Paint, which covers beautifully in one coat. Next comes magic: Donna applies Part 1 and Part 2 of Pentart Fineline Crackle Varnish, letting each coat dry thoroughly. As it cures, a network of delicate porcelain-style cracks appears across the surface.

Step 7 – Antique the Cracks for a Vintage Look

To highlight every detail, she brushes on Pentart Antique Paste and wipes back the excess. The paste settles into both the crackle and the clay mold crevices, revealing stunning aged depth. Once the antique paste cures, she seals the ornament with Glossy Varnish, giving it the unmistakable shine of glazed porcelain.

Step 8 – Add Bows, Tassels & Sparkle

Donna finishes the ornament with off-white organza ribbon for the hanger. Using her Bowdabra tool, she creates layered bows in soft neutrals and adds rhinestone-and-pearl snowflake embellishments to the centers. A silver tassel hangs from the bottom for a refined, heirloom look.

This project turns a simple bauble into an elegant keepsake—delicately cracked, softly colored, and beautifully decorated.

✨ A warm thank-you to Donna at Mason Creations etc. for sharing her expertise and this stunning holiday idea.

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