DIY Polish Christmas Ornaments: The Star Ornament

DIY Whimsical Polish Star Christmas Ornaments

My mother-in-law posted a link on Facebook the other day detailing how to make Polish Star Christmas Ornaments. Polish Christmas ornaments are often made from glass.

I watched the video and immediately fell in love with these easy yet beautiful ornaments, especially the ones featuring a ‘Poppies in Bloom’ pattern, and thought how wonderful they would look on my Christmas tree.

They would also make super cute gifts! Common themes for Polish Christmas ornaments include winter scenes and animals. Many Polish pottery ornaments feature whimsical and vibrant patterns.

Tradition of the Polish Star

In the Polish tradition of celebrating Christmas, the star has special significance.

On Christmas Eve, the night’s first star was “Gwiazda,” meaning “little” star,” in “remembrance “of the Star of Bethlehem.

At the moment it appears, greetings and good wishes are exchanged.

Families then partake of the Christmas supper, “Wigilia,” the most carefully planned meal of the year.

Polish Star Ornament

You will need the following supplies to make your Polish Star Christmas Ornaments:

• A pen or pencil (to form the points)
• Something sharp to poke a hole through the center of each piece of paper; I used a sewing needle; a toothpick would work, too.
• If you use a compass to draw your circles, you can use that to poke a hole through the circles of paper.
• Scissors
• White Glue (to glue the points)
• Jewelry Cord (to hold the pieces together, string, twine, ribbon, etc. can also be used)
• 2 Jewelry spacing beads, sequins, etc. (to keep the cord on both ends taught)
• 5 Sheets of 8.5 x 11 Paper (scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, printer paper, brown shipping paper, etc.)
• A Compass or object you can use to draw around about 4″ wide; I used a cardboard ribbon spool
• A Compass or object you can use to draw around about 1″ wide; I used a nickel

Check the stock of these supplies before starting your project to ensure you have everything you need.

Materials and Supplies

Creating beautiful Polish pottery ornaments requires the right materials and supplies to ensure they are durable and visually stunning. Here are some of the key items you’ll need:

High-quality clay:

• Clay is the foundation of any Polish pottery ornament. Known for its durability and resistance to scratches and chips, high-quality clay is essential for creating long-lasting pieces.

Pottery wheel:

• This crucial tool allows artisans to shape and mold the clay into the desired form, ensuring each ornament has a perfect base.

Paints and glazes:

• Magic happens when you add color and decoration to your ornaments. From traditional red and white to more whimsical designs, many paints and glazes bring these pieces to life.

Brushes and tools:

• Various brushes and tools are needed to apply the paints and glazes. Small brushes are perfect for intricate details, while larger brushes are great for broader strokes.

Kiln:

• Firing the pottery at high temperatures in a kiln helps to set the glaze and create Polish pottery’s signature durability.

With these materials and supplies, you’ll be well on your way to creating beautiful Polish pottery ornaments.

Painting and Decorating Techniques

The beauty of Polish pottery ornaments lies in their intricate designs and vibrant colors. Here are some of the techniques artisans use to achieve these stunning effects:

• Hand-painting: Skilled artisans often hand-paint each ornament, using small brushes to apply intricate details and designs. This technique allows for high customization and uniqueness in each piece.
• Stenciling: A popular technique for crisp and precise lines, stenciling involves using a stencil to apply patterns and designs, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
• Glazing: Multiple layers of glaze are applied to achieve the desired color and texture. This process enhances the ornament’s visual appeal and adds a layer of protection.
• Sgraffito: This technique uses a sharp tool to scratch through the glaze, revealing the underlying clay and creating intricate designs and patterns.

These techniques combine to create the beautiful and unique Polish pottery ornaments many cherish.

Personalizing Your Ornament

One of the joys of Polish pottery ornaments is the ability to personalize them with your unique message or design. Here are some ways to make your ornament truly special:

• Monogramming: Adding your initials or name to an ornament creates a thoughtful and personalized gift. Many artisans offer monogramming services to help you create a one-of-a-kind piece.
• Custom designs: Some artisans offer custom design services, allowing you to create your unique pattern or design on your ornament. This is a great way to add a personal touch and make your ornament stand out.
• Special messages: You can add a special message or date to your ornament, making it a unique keepsake. Whether a holiday greeting or a memorable date, this addition will make your ornament even more meaningful.
• Color choices: Polish pottery ornaments come in various colors, allowing you to choose the perfect shade to match your home decor or personal style. From traditional red and white to more whimsical hues, there’s a color for everyone.

Personalizing your Polish pottery ornament can make it an even more special and meaningful part of your holiday decor. Whether you monogram it, add a custom design, or select a unique color, your ornament will stand out and become a treasured keepsake.

DIY Polish Star Christmas Ornaments – Instructions:

Use a 3″ – 4″ circle (I “sed a cardboard ribbon spool that is roughly 3.5″) and draw four circles onto a piece of paper. Next, use your .09” – 1″ circle (I “sed a nickel) and draw the inner circle in the middle of the larger circle. Do this on the remaining 8.5 x 11 pieces of paper for 10-20 large circles. Or use the template found here.

Cut the larger circles out. Then, Fold each circle in half, fold it in half (1/4), and fold it again in half (1/8).

Open your circles. Use a needle, toothpick, or other object to make a hole in the center of the circle punch.

Cut along the folds almost to the center, but not quite all the way. The photos below show where the cuts are made.

Put a small dab of glue on the point of one tab, then wrap the tab around a pencil or pen and hold it in place for a few seconds so the glue sets. Do this for all eight tabs. You can also do this without using a pen or pencil, as seen in the YouTube video posted at the bottom.

Slip a spacer bead halfway down your jewelry cord (you can also use string, twine, thin ribbon, etc.)  I didn’t take a photo of this, so I used the diagram from diohomeimprovements.com

Important Details

Next, draw both ends of the cord together and slip both ends through your first piece of paper, making sure the point side faces up so the bead is on the back side (see photo below). Then, slip both ends through the rest of your pieces of paper with the points facing down (opposite of the first piece you put on/see photo below). Do this for all remaining pieces of paper.

 Points Facing Up:

Points Facing Down:

After putting your last piece of paper onto your cord, put your second spacer bead through only one side of the string, pull both strings taut so that the pieces of paper scrunch together, and tie the string into a knot where the spacer bead is.

Tie another knot where the two ends of the cord meet. This will create a loop where you can hang the ornament on your tree!

And for you visual learners, here is the video that I watched to make mine:

And that’s it. Now you can make your very own DIY Polish Star Christmas Ornaments!

I hope you like them, and I’d LOVE to see if I’ve finished the ornaments!

Please share!

Check out these fabulous Christmas articles; Easy Ripped Paper Tree Craft, How Stay at Home Moms Can Save Money for Christmas , and 10 Things that go On Sale after Christmas.