How to add charms & embellishments to your quilted ornaments

By Staci Ann Lowry | September 12, 2011 |

UPDATE!

I originally wrote this post in 2011. I've now also got a couple of videos on YouTube showing some Tips & Tricks for embellishing your ornaments! Click the links below:

One of the questions I'm often asked about my quilted ornaments is how I attach the little charms and bells and other embellishments that I sometimes add to them. I started dressing up some of my ornaments this way maybe 4 or 5 years ago because I have always loved making jewelry...regardless of what craft I've had my hands in at any given time, I've never been able to stray too far from my bead stash.

And so, I use simple split jump rings to fasten my embellishments, just as if I were affixing them to a piece of jewelry. The attachment is secure, and well...it just looks pretty.

use jump rings to attach charms

To do this, use a small pair of flat nose pliers to grip a jump ring on one side of the opening, and a pair of round nose pliers to grip the other side. Open the jump ring by separating it at the gap to the side. Don't pull the two sides away from each other, or the ring will become distorted and weakened, and will never re-close all the way.

opening a split jump ring

Now you can slide your charm onto the jump ring...

add charm to jump ring

Create the length you desire with additional jump rings...I usually use 2 or 3 rings so that my charm will dangle from below the ribbons at the top of my ornament. Close the rings the same way you opened them, and the two sides will fit back together snugly.

close the jump ring

Now, it is as easy as looping the jump ring onto the same pin that's holding your bow or hanger! (check out my quilted ornament tutorial if you haven't made one of these ornaments before and would like some fabulously awesome instructions to teach you how.)

attach charm to quilted ornament

 

I love adding embellishments, bells, and trinkets to Christmas ornaments...it's like jewelry for the Christmas tree! Here's another one, with a crystal charm and a jingle bell. It really dresses up the ornament, don't ya think?

jingle bell added to ornament

Posted in Quilted Ornament Tips and Tricks and tagged , ,

About Staci Ann Lowry

8 Comments

  1. Debbie on September 17, 2011 at 12:14 am

    I also have a bead stash and love to make things. I have never found the beautiful little accessories that you use

    Reply
    • ornamentgirl on September 20, 2011 at 4:55 am

      Debbie, I get most of my little charms and beads at JoAnn’s or Michael’s. :)

      Reply
  2. Stephanie on October 29, 2011 at 4:37 am

    I just ordered the “how-to” make the quilted ornaments. Will it come in an email? Can’t wait to get started!!!
    Thanks!!!

    Reply
    • ornamentgirl on October 29, 2011 at 7:13 am

      Thanks so much for ordering the tutorials, Stephanie…I just emailed them to you! Let me know if you have any questions along the way. :D

      Reply
  3. Linda Patterson on February 2, 2016 at 3:41 pm

    Thank you for the tutorial on attaching the charms to the ornaments, got that fine, but have not received the tutorial for the toppers. Thank you so much for your help

    Reply
    • Staci Ann Lowry on March 10, 2016 at 10:49 pm

      Linda, I’m so sorry for not seeing this comment sooner. I will re-send the bow tutorial to you right now. Thank you!

      Reply
  4. Adela Dziekanowski on July 31, 2024 at 1:32 am

    I’m not seeing something. How will a straight pin hold a jump ring with such a large opening?

    Reply
    • Sarah Cinocco on July 31, 2024 at 11:31 am

      Hi Adela, if you pin your bow with that same pin, than then pin will also help hold the charm chain in place. You could also use a U-pin. I hope that helps!

      Reply

Leave a Comment