Sports Team Ornament

Making your favorite sports team ornament is so much fun. These make great gifts for any sports fan. You can customize the ornament to any team. So whether it is for little league, high school, college or professional sports, you can make as many as you like. Just remember that many college, professional and other logos are copyrighted. So you can not sell these without the image owners permission. You can however, make these for personal use and give these as gifts. Some images are free to use though, and you can sell those, but please do your homework first. Major Gates only recommends images found on the internet for personal use only unless otherwise stated. So I made about about 10 of these but gave them all as gifts.

When you get into ornament making, the recipients love them so much. They appreciate the time it takes to make a custom ornament. What makes them even more special is that they know only a very selected few have an ornament like this. So if you are familiar with my blog, I make many kinds of ornaments as I love to make them. I sometimes sell a few in my shop, so if you are interested, click here: https://majorgates.com/product-category/handmade-ornament/

I understand that making ornaments can seem overwhelming and that you may not have the time, so that is why I sell some of the ones I make. My ornaments are rare and made in extremely limited quantities. They are meant for someone special and are so unique.

My sports team ornaments though, I can not sell due to the copyright laws. However, I will share with you how to make it and for any sports team you may like. This example is a Houston Astros World Series Championship ornament for 2022. I am not a sports fan, but my nephews, friends and neighbors loved them. I started off making two and ended up making 10 because the guys went crazy over them… LOL

I may have time this year to make sports themed ornaments that are not associated with a particular team, so check my shop throughout the year to see what is available.

To see my available Party Label Bundle Downloads, click here: https://majorgates.com/product-category/party-bundles/

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For more DIY ornament ideas, see my DIY Harry Potter Ornaments here: https://majorgates.com/do-it-yourself/diy-harry-potter-ornaments/

See my DIY section for more craft ideas and party ideas here: https://majorgates.com/category/do-it-yourself/

For great fun with a group of people, check out my available Party Jeopardy/Trivia Downloads here: https://majorgates.com/product-category/jeopardy-trivia/

Supplies Needed

The supplies list may seen long if you are new to crafting. So please check your supplies at home before you shop, you will be surprised how much you already have.

4 inch plastic disc ornament
Regular copy paper (A4)
Color Printer
Scissors (regular and fine)
Mod Podge gloss
Silicone molds – use whatever types you like. So you just need a border and a wreath/frame mold. But you could also add other embellishments as well if you like. Here are some that I recommend. I sometimes offer some molds in my shop as well.
Super light air drying clay
Tacky glue – fast grab or quick dry (I didn’t know there were other types either)
White chalk paint
Round sponge brush, paint brushes and paint tray
Metallic acrylic paints in the colors of your choice or team
Sports charm
Jump rings
Eyelet hooks
Mini hot glue gun and glue sticks
Triple Thick
1 1/2 inch wired ribbon and thin ribbon or string to hang the ornament
Diaper wipes or moist rag to clean up mistakes on the ornament

Directions For Sports Team Ornament

Before you start to make ornaments like these, know that they will take some time. This is due to the detail and quality that an ornament like this requires. The best part is that no one will have an ornament like this unless you make more. So these are truly one of a kind. Use your imagination and use this post as your guide. Let’s get started!

Start by searching for your favorite sports team logo on the internet. This can also be school logos, college, professional or even an activity such as gymnastics, soccer, basketball, etc.
Then print the images on regular copy paper. I printed 9 images per page (3 rows by 3 columns and set images to fit) using a free software called Photoscape X. Here is the link if you are looking for an easy tool: http://x.photoscape.org. I am not affiliated with them. So I use the free version, but they also offer a paid version, but so far I have not needed it.
Next, allow the images to dry for an hour or the pattern will smudge when you are applying the Mod Podge. So make sure the image is fully dry.
Then apply the Mod Podge to the back of the image first with a paint brush and allow to fully dry for 1 1/2 – 2 hours. Secondly, flip the image over and apply Mod Podge to the front of the image. Allow the image side to dry for another 1 1/2-2 hours.

Meanwhile, while the images are drying, press the air dry clay into the molds. Feel free to use whatever molds you like. Just be sure the embellishment will fit on the bulb. So since I am using a 4 inch bulb in this example, the clay embellishment should not be any larger than 3 1/2 inches but preferably 3 inches.

Next, prep the bulb by dabbing the chalk paint onto the bulb with a sponge brush. Then allow each side to dry before painting the other side.

I like to place my ornaments on candle sticks to dry.

Once your ornament is dry, cut slits into the images with the fine scissors. You need to do this so that the image lays mostly flat on the ornament. Apply the image with Mod Podge while pressing and smoothing it onto the bulb.
Next, add on the clay embellishments. They should be still pliable and not all the way dry. Be gentle when removing the clay and don’t smear the image details as the clay is still drying. So don’t worry, it will dry completely on the bulb.

Add a line of Tacky Glue on the back of the clay embellishment.

Then, place around the bulb.

Before adding the trim, make sure you add the hook at the bottom. Just screw it in and then add the border with Tacky glue.

Once the glue has dried with the clay embellishments, start to paint the bulb. Remember these are ornaments, so try to use mostly metallic paints that will shimmer in the tree lights. I started with gold, then accented with blue and then metallic orange. Be sure to wipe off excess paint on the image with the diaper wipe. Also use the diaper wipe to remove paint and antique the ornament. I used a fan paint brush to add the blue and orange accent paint.

So once you complete the painting, allow to dry to the touch. This should be 1-2 hours per side. Then it is time to seal the ornament. Seal the ornament by painting on the Triple Thick over the entire ornament and let each side dry completely before sealing the other side. Each side takes about 2 hours to dry. As a disclaimer, I live in the south where it is humid, so drying times tend to take longer.
Then add the charm with a jump ring using nose pliers.

Last, add a bow with hot glue and hanging string. Since I did not like the color of the ornament cap, I applied Mod Podge and the sprinkled it with extra fine gold glitter. The ornament is finished!