These striking paper holiday ornaments last for years and are the perfect project for beginner calligraphers. Make a few each year to add to your collection of tree baubles or to give away as gifts.
They also make fabulous gift tags, place cards, or wine bottle charms. You can make several ornaments and string them together to make an artistic garland, or you can scatter them across a holiday dinner table when hosting a special occasion.
Supplies
- Coloured card (in your preferred colour)
- White or graphite pencil, depending on your card colour
- Eraser
- Scissors
- Small paintbrush
- Silver watercolour paint
- Assorted tubes of gouache and/or metallic watercolour paints
- Pen holder and nib of your choice
- Hole punch
- Ribbon or string
Step 1
Draw an ornament outline on your card. You can either freehand draw your ornament or cut and trace an outline that you find online. The ornament shown here is a simple 7.5cm (3in) circle with a tab-shaped top.
Step 2
Cut out the shape and use the paintbrush and silver watercolour paint to brush over the tab. Next, use your pencil to plan out the words and design any flourishes that you want to include on your ornament.
Step 3
Apply the ink, gouache, or metallic watercolour of your choice to your nib. Then, trace over your pencil writing and flourishes. Once you finish, add embellishments like stars and snowflakes as needed to lend additional holiday cheer to the bauble. Punch a hole at the top of the ornament’s tab with a hole punch. Then, thread ribbon or string through the hole and use the ornament as you wish, perhaps on a tree or as part of a garland.
Master modern calligraphy with The Calligraphy Book
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