Handcrafted Wood Decorations Inscribed with History
A Guide to Distressing Stained Wooden Ornaments for Your Rustic Christmas Tree
In the spirit of the 12 Days of Christmas Series, we're sharing a simple yet effective method for creating a charmingly worn, distressed look on your wooden ornaments. Today, we're focusing on an unfinished wooden ornament from Michaels.
To achieve the distressed stained wood look, follow these steps:
- Stain or paint the wood first, allowing it to dry completely for a base color. A popular choice is using dark walnut wood stain, as demonstrated in our example.
- Apply a layer of candle wax. Rub a white pillar candle over the areas you want to resist stain or paint. This creates a distressed effect after subsequent finishing.
- Apply another coat of paint or stain over the waxed areas. The wax prevents full adhesion, creating worn or chipped-looking spots.
- After drying, lightly sand the surface, focusing on edges and raised portions. This reveals underlying layers and creates a rustic, aged look.
Alternative methods include applying stain, then layering white paint over it, followed by sanding the paint partially off, especially on edges or ornate parts, to reveal the stained wood beneath and enhance the distressed appearance. For more detailed texturing, you can use fine sandpaper or tools to create small dents or scratches before staining.
As part of the series, we've also included ornaments like the Vintage Style Glittered Wood Star Ornament from Serendipity Refined, the Wedding Invitation Glass Ball from May Richer Fuller Be, the Cork Ball Ornament from Whats Ur Home Story, and the Chalkboard Holiday Sign from Thrifty and Chic.
Other creators are also sharing their own ornaments in the series, such as the Snowman Glass Ornament from Mom 4 Real, the Feather Wreath Ornament from an unspecified source, the Stained Wooden Ornaments from Cherished Bliss, the "Days Until Christmas" Chalkboard Ornament from All Things G&D, the Spiral Christmas Tree Ornament from Remodelando la Casa, and the Nativity Silhouette Ornament from Lovely Etc.
In total, the series will feature 144 ornaments, all designed to complement a Rustic Woodland Christmas Tree. So, gather your supplies, and let's get crafting!
Incorporating unique ornaments into your home-and-garden decor, consider upcycling wooden ornaments for a rustic, distinct lifestyle. To upgrade unfinished wooden ornaments, try a distressing technique using candle wax, paint, and sandpaper to achieve an aged, charming appearance, perfect for your rustic Christmas tree.
