Cat Tales of Saratoga: How to Make Vintage Spool Jewel Ornaments

Step-by-step tutorial of the original spool jewel ornament as featured in the 2011 Better Homes and Gardens Holiday Crafts magazine.

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Vintage Spool Jewel Ornaments

Materials:

• Vintage thread spools – approx 1 1/4-inch in height

• Mother of pearl self-shank buttons – approx 7/16–11/16-inch diameter (shank cannot be larger than whole in spool)

• Vintage sheet music

• 20-gauge crafts wire, 18-inch length

• Pearl beads – 1/4-inch diameter

• Pearl beads – 7/16-inch diameter

• Crafts glue

• German glass glitter

• Hot-glue gun and glue sticks

• Paper trimmer

• Needle-nose pliers

• Toothpicks

Preparation:

Remove all thread from spools and buttons, and wipe clean.

Wrap Sheet Music Around Spool:

Using a paper trimmer, cut sheet music into 4-inch strips. Height will vary depending on size of spool. Wrap the strip around spool clockwise, leaving the music clefs visible. Place a thin strip of crafts glue on backside, 1/8-inch from short end and spread to outer edge with toothpick. Press firmly, smooth paper and blot any excess glue.

Add Wire Hanger:

Cut a 6-inch length of wire. Run wire through shank of button, leaving 1/2 inch on one side of shank. Bend both ends upwards, leaving the short side slightly angled allowing it to fit tightly when placed through spool.

Feed long end of wire through the bottom of spool. Before pushing short wire end into spool, add a bit of hot glue to button shank and snap in place.

Add Pearl Beads:

Thread large pearl bead, then small pearl bead onto long stem of wire. Holding beads firmly against the top of spool, bend wire at a 90-degree angle. Firmly press wire around a round form, approx. 1/8-inch diameter (a neck of a bottle works perfectly) to create circular hanger. To finish, bend tip inwards using needle-nose pliers.

Glitter:
Run a bead of crafts glue along bottom edge of spool and sprinkle with glitter. Let dry and repeat for top. Place ornament, button side down, on a flat surface while drying. This will allow the glitter to dry evenly.