Christmas ornaments are special to a lot of people. In this case, they saved a little family of 3.
About 14 years ago, I put a few of my handmade folded fabric ornaments up on eBay to see if I could make a little extra Christmas money.
I had no idea that this one simple thing would one day turn into an ornament club with over 3,000 members!
My adoration for making these fabric ornaments goes way back to when I was about 15 years old. One day my mom came home from the Ben Franklin craft store (remember those?), where she'd just seen a demonstration for making "quilted" ornaments. She'd brought home bags of supplies, and she, my sister, and I sat around for the rest of the afternoon, folding and pinning our hearts out.
I kept making them through the years. When I got married to my Marine love, we were pretty broke (we were young, and he was a Private) ..... so I started making my ornaments with any material I could get my hands on, even cheap dollar store ribbon. I loved making them so much that sometimes I would even take my old ornaments apart, just so I'd have pins and another styrofoam ball to use for the next one.
(This is how I learned lots of little ways to save on pins and materials. I made everything stretch!)
Right after I started my tiny business (okay....hobby) selling my ornaments online, tragedy struck our family. I became a widow and single mom of 2 very young kids. Not wanting to immediately put my kiddos in daycare so that I could go back to work, I decided to see if I could find a way to make my little ornament business support us.
That's when the beginnings of this site that you're on now took shape. Now you'll find not just ornaments for sale, but also our Ornament Girls Club (a monthly pattern/kit club!), along with tons of different quilted ornament patterns.
I hope you enjoy making these ornaments as much as I do! Just, be careful....they are addictive. Just wait until you find yourself folding every single material you come across into little triangles to see how it will look on an ornament. :)
I really appreciate you being here.
--Staci Ann
If you'd like to know when I post new ornament DIYs and patterns, please join my email list. (I'll even give you access to my FREE Quilted Star Video Workshop!)
If you have any questions or comments, please send me a message!
Meet the Ornament Girl Team...
STACI ANN LOWRY
Founder & CEO
I'm Staci Ann, and I make my home in Central Florida, with my fiance, and two kids. We live in an old lakehouse with an airplane hanger in the backyard, which we converted into the Ornament Girl Shop (my she-shed!) Although making ornaments has always been my favorite craft, I used to be an avid jewelry maker, and have recently picked up beading again. I also love geeking out on photography, web design, and online marketing.
MONICA MIHAJLOVIC
Head Designer / Creative Director
I'm Monica, and after stumbling onto the Ornament Girl website in 2013, it wasn’t long before every shelf and bowl in my house was filled with ornaments! It was a dream come true to officially join the OG team in 2018. It brought together so many things that I enjoy: design, crafts, art, and (of course) Christmas! When I’m not helping to create ornaments and tutorials, I enjoy spending time with my sweet family, reading, doing genealogy research, and traveling. One of the most unforgettable places I’ve ever been to was the Lauterbrunnen Valley in Switzerland… beautiful!
DARLENE ANDERSON
Pattern Designer
Hi! I'm so delighted to be a part of the Ornament Girl design team! I happily make my home on a small farm in Kansas where I enjoy spending time with my grandkids, horses, crafting and gardening. I have a thing about collecting old rusty junk and incorporating it into my gardens and landscaping. My mother was a wonderful talented seamstress and loved sewing and quilting...and I hated it! But I did inherit her love of fabric and once I learned to make quilted ornaments (with no sewing!) I just couldn't stop making them! I really love being able to share my designs and seeing the joy and fun others get from being able to create their own beautiful ornaments!
JANELLE TALIERCIO
Administration / Billling
I'm Janelle and I live in Texas with my husband, three boys, and two dogs. I love taking late evening walks with my family in the warmer months, trips to the local park and lake with my boys, the delightful scent of magnolia flowers in our neighborhood, and all sorts of fun crafting hobbies. I have enjoyed being part of the Ornament Girls community since 2016 and getting to see the beautiful ornaments created every month.
MARIA SCHWARZ
Customer Happiness
I'm Maria, and I live in Wisconsin with my husband and two preschool aged kiddos (and dog!). I'm busy being a stay at home mom, but I sneak in time for sewing, my main crafting hobby. I enjoy making clothes for my family and as gifts. I am so thankful to have joined the OG team and love answering your emails. It's so fun to learn this new craft of making ornaments, and enjoy all your beautiful creations.
SARAH CINOCCO
Community Moderator
I'm a Colorado girl and a stay at home mom with 2 little ones. When I'm not making ornaments, I can be found sewing, crocheting or reading. My favorite color is teal and my favorite Ornament Girl pattern is the Rosebud.
JULIA RUFER
Fabric Cutter Extraordinaire
I'm Julia, and I live in northern FL with my husband, mom and several of my precious family members. I was blessed to meet Staci Ann in 2015 when I saw one of her posts on Facebook. I had a friend who had been battling breast cancer she'd posted her beautiful Horizon of Hope Ornament for Breast Cancer. I found out that she didn't live too far from me so I gave her a call and asked if I could pick one up. Staci said of course. I loved her from the moment I met her. I loved making the ornament, and my friend cried when I gave it to her. In March 2016, Staci sent out a message asking to hire some help. I jumped on that bandwagon instantly. I became one of her very first employees for The Ornament Girl and continue to work for her, loving everything that I do. I guess you could call me the fabric cutting maniac. I cut pretty much all the fabric for each kit every month. I love seeing all the beautiful fabrics and how they are put together to make such gorgeous ornaments. In my spare time I love spending time with my family, listening to christian videos and of course, making ornaments.
GEORGE HART
Shop Manager
DENISE VINSON
Shipping & Office Admin
How excited was ...
Rainbow Stripes! This ornament ...
I made this ...
#ornamentoftheday - an ...
I have been ...
Here's the ornament ...
JaMonica Whie
January 2, 2011Hi Staci Ann,
Your ornaments are absolutely beautiful. I am very impressed and inspired by your creatvity. I am actually trying to start a new website buisness called Handmade Touches by JaMonica. I am offering one of a kind glass ornaments, door wreaths, and stationary. I would love it if you could give me some pointers on how to get started. Also how do you get such great photos of your ornaments?
ornamentgirl
January 16, 2012Hi JaMonica,
I am so sorry I didn’t see this sooner…it got caught up in my spam filter. Thank you for the compliment! Please feel free to send me your email address (you can contact me here: http://www.theornamentgirl.com/contact.htm ), and I would love to be of whatever help I can. :D
Staci Ann
Linda
August 4, 2011Dear Staci Ann, ive been reading your blog and i feel like im reading my own biography! lol. i read it to a friend of mine and she asked me if i was you in disguise? i felt this was a great compliment since i believe you are one of the most talented ornament designers there is!
i started making ornaments over 8 years ago. just less than 2 years ago i started selling my ornaments. i would only make them and give them as gifts til the day a friend asked me to make her one and sell it to her.
i admire how you have such a wonderful website to show and sell your amazing ornaments! your creativity is outstanding.
i am working on my own website. in the process i teach classes and i always refer my students to your website so they can see how beautiful your work is. i only wish the best for you, your family and your business. never let your imagination stop….
sincerely,
Linda C
AliAnda Creations
ornamentgirl
August 4, 2011Wow, thank you so much for the compliments, Linda!
When you get your website up and running, please come back and share your link…I would love to see your work!
In the meantime, have you ever tried selling on etsy? It’s an awesome community for handmade…I just started selling my ornaments directly from etsy last fall, and I love it.
Thank you again for the amazing compliment, Linda…and good luck to you with your website! :)
Staci Ann
Linda
August 7, 2011Staci Ann,
Thank you for advising me of Esty. I just published my first ornament!!! I’m so excited! I have been trying to figure out how to sell on ebay and was lost. Esty is so simple!
Thank you again so much! Check me out. AliAnda Creations.
Sincerely,
Linda :-)
ornamentgirl
August 25, 2011Awesome, Linda! I will go check out your store! I love etsy too… :)
Pam Akins
October 26, 2011I love this tutorial and I plan to post it on my site and link it back here. You have a great site and you make some beautiful things. Thanks!!
ornamentgirl
October 26, 2011Pam, that would be awesome…thank you so much! :)
Janet Levitt
November 5, 2011Hi Staci Ann,
I just received my ostrich feather ornament and I love it but its broken. How can I get it replaced? My order was #3892-1372-6188-2372
ornamentgirl
November 6, 2011Oh no! I will send you another one. I apologize for that.
Eunice Saunders
January 15, 2012Hello Staci Ann,
I just adore your ornaments! I have been making these for over 20 years myself and have been following you for several years. I have bid many times on your listings on eBay without ever having any luck….but recently I was able to buy 2 of your ornaments on sale at Etsy. I am very happy to finally be a proud owner of 2 of your ornaments. Thanks, they are lovely and I will treasure them always.
Good luck to you and yours,
Nisha
ornamentgirl
January 16, 2012Thank you so much, Nisha! I truly appreciate it… I am so glad you like the ornaments. :)
Michele Beran
February 20, 2012Dear Staci Ann,
Just wondering, how do you go about filling a big order? What happens when fifty people all want the same ornament? Do you just sell your ornaments through etsy online or do you go to craft shows/fairs as well.
ornamentgirl
February 23, 2012Hi Michele…I have been wanting to do some craft shows in the past, but I have never been able to build up enough inventory at once..I hope I can do one this year though, in the fall. Right now, I sell through etsy, and through orders directly through my website (if someone emails me asking for a specific ornament not currently available in the etsy shop). I generally don’t get huge orders of the same ornament all at once…if someone does happen to make a large order, they most often want a variety, in which case I usually am able to fill. Otherwise, if one particular ornament is really popular, I just do my best to keep re-stocking it in my shop as fast as I can. :)
Robin Purdy
February 20, 2012Hi Staci Ann,
I just have to tell you how truly beautiful your ornaments are! I love them all! I recently started selling my fabric crafts on Etsy too and love it. I make ornaments too…but nothing as fabulous as yours! You are so talented and I am so glad I found your site. Keep up the good work.
Robin
ornamentgirl
February 23, 2012Thank you so much, Robin! Good luck with your new etsy shop! :)
Larissa
May 18, 2012Hi!
Your ornaments are gorgeous! What type/size of cord do you use and where can I get some?
ornamentgirl
May 19, 2012Thanks, Larissa :) Are you talking about the cord I used in this ornament?: braided trim ornament. If so, that was a 1/8″ trim, and I found it at Michael’s. I’ve also seen similar trims available by the yard at JoAnn’s though. Hope this helps!
Pat Stutzman
October 16, 2012Staci…just purchased magazine Quilting for Christmas and saw your work for the first time. Love every bit of it…what beautiful creative work…you are very talented..can’t wait to try some..I’m a quilter and fabric and ribbon horder..now more reasons to be..keep up the good work and look forward to seeing your new ideas.
ornamentgirl
October 18, 2012Thank you so very much, Pat!
Diana B.
October 23, 2012Hi Staci
Will u have kits for the quilted fabric tree, it is so darn cute? I love ur ornaments which have purchased some. Like u have been making ornaments for a long long time probably when u were a baby. But always look for new ideas.
Thank you for ur site.
ornamentgirl
October 27, 2012Hi Diana,
Thanks so much! I just replied to your email on etsy about the fabric tree kits. :)
Katie Roling
December 11, 2012hi there
you are a very crafty girl–I think they are the prettiest I have looked at -so far— i am 71 and just made my first 6 balls this week end– I love it — with all the crafts i do i can’t believe i had never seen these before…. I would love to be on your list of watchers when you are showing how to do these. Your welcome to visit my web page and check out my friends and family cook book- many recipes are from gals that have bought farm animals from me. if you email me- i will send you pictures of my first try at these balls and you can tell me what you think. Katie Roling
Linda Davis
December 20, 2012Hi,
Bought one of your ornament kits and made my ornament. I am hooked now and would like to make some of my own now and was wondering if you sell the straight pins or could you tell me were I can buy them would appreciate it.
Linda
ornamentgirl
December 20, 2012Hi Linda,
Someone commented on another of my posts and told me about these: http://www.enasco.com/product/W02822. It’s the absolute cheapest I’ve seen so far. I haven’t bought them myself yet, but am planning to once I need to replenish my supply.
Usually I have bought them at WalMart (they are around $2.40 for 450 count).
I hope this helps, and I am glad to hear that you enjoyed making the ornament!
susie jefferson
January 13, 2013I have a question about the styrofoam ball you use in the quilted ornament. Do you only recommend the textured type or can the smooth ones be used as well?
ornamentgirl
January 14, 2013Hi Susie, I left you an answer about this on the other post you asked in…did you see it? In case not, here is an article that I wrote last year where I explained why I prefer the textured foam balls for quilted ornaments: https://theornamentgirl.com/blog/being-crafty/regular-styrofoam-or-smooth-foam/
Nikki
January 29, 2013Hi Staci Ann…I am having a great deal of difficulty printing a copy of the tutorials I received with my ornament order in November. The problem lies with my printer, certainly not the tutorials themselves. Is it possible to purchase a hardcopy of each tutorial directly from you? Thanks so much!
ornamentgirl
January 29, 2013Hi Nikki… I actually don’t have printed copies of the tutorial, but I could figure out exactly what my cost would be to print you out one. The only problem is that I don’t have the best printer and I’m not sure the quality would be that great… Did you happen to check with Staples or somewhere like that to find out if they could do it?
Nikki
January 30, 2013Sounds like we’re in the same boat with our printers! I’ll check with my local Staples to see if they can help. Thanks, Staci Ann.
Sandra Manzer
July 31, 2013You are quick to take money which you did 6-27-13. It is now 7-31-13 & nothing has been shipped. Where is my money for order #1876? Maybe a refund is in order. I expected a box with 2 ornament kits & directions ordered but there is a big zero from you. What is the deal??????
ornamentgirl
August 2, 2013Hi Sandra,
I am truly sorry that your order did not arrive to you. Did you send me an email about this? I would have certainly checked into this much sooner if I had known. I will check on the status of your kits and get right back to you by email (and I will send you a refund if that’s what you prefer). Again, I am really sorry the kits didn’t get to you. -Staci
Debbie
September 10, 2013Hi Staci Ann, I have been having a really hard time with my account. I tried everything I could think of to get some info on the military ornaments, and then today I tried to log in. Of course, as soon as I started to put my email address in your automated system did it all for me, and accurately. But then it said it was an invalid email address and wasn’t in your system. Do you sell the military ornaments or the patterns, and if so how much? I’d like them for our American Legion Post. Thank you, and I hope you can help me find out what I’m doing wrong!
ornamentgirl
September 10, 2013Hi Debbie… I’m so sorry for all the trouble. I actually do sell the finished ornaments OR the patterns, whichever you are interested in. The military ornaments are each $30. The pattern those ornaments are based on is the Snow Globe pattern, and is $10 (which is right here: http://www.theornamentgirl.indiemade.com/product/snow-globe-quilted-ornament-pattern-tutorial-how-make-quilted-ornament). And, I also have kits, which include all materials, and the PDF pattern, and the cost for that is $19.95. (For the kits, if you’re ordering more than one, I will discount the additional kits since you wouldn’t need multiple copies of the pattern.
If you let me know which you are interested in, I’d be glad to start an order for you. And, I am sorry again for the trouble with my website… Staci
Debbie
September 24, 2013Hi Staci Ann, I want to thank you for getting back to me about your Patriotic ornaments. I have a few questions about them tho. Are you going to be doing one of The National Guard? As I told you I belong to the American Legion Post 15 in Oregon. We work with retired and disabled veterans, and we also help with what we call Boys and Girls State. Our programs go all the way from a local level to national level. I showed the ornaments to my American Legion Auxiliary President and she loved them. I told her that you said since I was planning on ordering several you offered me a discount. She asked me to tell you what Girls State is. I imagine it is in all states but in Oregon we pay for top Junior girls in our schools to go to Portland. While they are there they become every branch of government imaginable. By the end of their time at State there has actually been some bills come up that have later been voted into law. We Would like to ask your permission to buy the ornaments from you and have a Raffle for the set. We can’t sell them outright and I told her I refused to do that anyway, but WITH your permission can we raffle them for Girls State? Also, how much will you be charging us for all four branches( and possibly National Guard?) Thank you
P.S. We are having so much fun with the Glitter Ornaments!
Kellene
October 31, 2013You are just adorable!!!
ornamentgirl
February 21, 2014haha thank you!
Beverly Burkhart
September 15, 2015It is so obvious that each and every one of your ornaments are made with love! I adore Christmas and celebrate all year long in my heart but I’ve never seen any ornaments as beautiful as yours. I am very sorry to hear of your loss…my own father passed at age 34 and I don’t think my mother worked less than three jobs at a time to raise three children. Mom gave us everything we needed from clothing to education…I received a new car for my 17th birthday with the stipulation that I make the monthly payment of $79.82. Am I giving my age away lol! Most of all mom gave us love plus great work ethics. I am so happy that you are able to do your business from home and excited to have found your page..wish I had found it sooner but God’s timing is perfect. Blessings to you and your family!
Staci Ann Lowry
September 17, 2015Thank you so much, Beverly! I’m so sorry to hear that your dad passed at such a young age….. it sounds like your mom did an amazing job though. I’m so glad to have you here on my site! :)
Elizabeth Nolen
October 6, 2015Where is the best place to get the pins as I will need a lot!
Thank you for your e-books and the hints here.
Staci Ann Lowry
October 12, 2015Hi Elizabeth! Lately, I have been buying them from Amazon. So far, they have been the cheapest I can find for large quantities. I have a few links on my supply page right here:
https://theornamentgirl.com/blog/quilted-ornament-supply-list/
I hope that helps, and thank you!
Karin Nelson
February 25, 2019I don’t like to air complaints in such a public way, but since mid January I’ve been trying to cancel my subscription. The product is fine; I just don’t have time right now to do this. I’ve canceled using the process under (I think) the dashboard. I’ve also sent several emails to the alleged contact person but received no response. I put up with the delay in cancellation — maybe a one person-office or some similar excuse. Now I’m mad. If I don’t hear from you within a week, I’ll block the auto check payment and — given the communication within the organization — keep all the free patterns that will probably continue to ship once a month til the end of time.
Staci Ann Lowry
February 28, 2019Hi Karin.. It looks like your account has already been canceled, and that my support team has exchanged several emails with you about this. When you initially canceled, that month’s kit had already been shipped.. however, we did let you know that you could refuse the kit, and we would send you a refund as soon as it was returned back. However, your account WAS indeed canceled at that time, and you won’t be charged any further. As of this time, I haven’t received last month’s kit returned to me, but I will keep looking out for it if you have sent it back.
Did you need help with anything else?
Margot Hallgren
July 31, 2019Hi Staci Ann,
Could you recommend a few books that may have set you on the right track when you were starting your business?
Keep up the awesome ornaments!
Best wishes,
Margot