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Making Christmas Decorations

Holographic Christmas ornaments on black background.

By Carol and Homer Bishop

These ornaments sparkle like diamonds when you light up your Christmas tree. No one will ever know they are made from recycled materials. The slotted designs are easy to cut and assemble and make creative gift tags in addition to being unique ornaments.

The ornaments can be cut from plywood or hardwoods, but the shiny surface of CDs or DVDs gives them an added dimension. The danger of the plastic melting back together is the most difficult part of cutting CDs. Run your saw at a lower speed and use a sharp skip-tooth blade to minimise melting.

Materials

  • Several CDs or DVDs
  • 1⁄4in x 5in x 5in lauan plywood perCD (to support CDs)
  • Metallic cotton embroidery thread (ornament hangers)
  • Spray adhesive
  • Cyanoacrylate glue
  • Blue painter’s tape

Tools

  • #4 skip-tooth blades or blades of choice
  • Sanders of choice
  • Drill press with 1⁄8in-diameter bit

Two CDs and spray adhesive on rough surface.
1. Prepare the CD blanks. Apply spray adhesive to the backs of both CDs. Press them together on a hard, flat surface with the shiny side of both CDs facing out. Tape the CDs to a piece of 1⁄4in-thick lauan plywood. The plywood adds support and prevents splitting. Attach the patterns with spray adhesive. Drill the 1⁄8in-diameter holes for the hanger and any blade entry holes
Crafting Christmas shapes with CD and cutter.
2. Cut the pieces. Use a new #4 skip- tooth blade or your blade of choice. Keep the saw speed slow to prevent the plastic from melting. If you notice the burr on the edges of the cut getting bigger, slow down the saw or install a new blade. Peel off the patterns and tape. Use a fingernail to scrape off small burrs and remove the larger burrs with a hobby knife
Sanding turquoise shell on a sanding belt.
3. Test fit the ornament pieces. Wipe off the CDs with a soft rag soaked in mineral spirits to remove any remaining adhesive or fingerprints. Make sure the slotted ornaments slide together easily. Sand the wings of the dove and angel so they fit together tightly when glued. Coat the back of any fragile pieces with cyanoacrylate glue
Crafting bird decoration materials on table
4. Glue the ornaments together. Place a drop of CA glue at the end of the slots on the slotted ornaments and slide the two pieces together. Apply just enough glue to cover the edges of the components of the other ornaments. Do not let the glue squeeze out of the joints. Glue the tapered wings on to the dove and angel. Add a string to the top to complete the ornament
Plan, part 1Download
Plan, part 2Download

Further Reading

Christmas Tree Decorations

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