Vintage Beaded Christmas Ornaments
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure PolicyOkay, I think I have a problem. Creating my vintage-inspired tree has put me under a bit of a spell. For some reason, I feel compelled to buy every vintage beaded ornament that I can get my hands on. Someone stop me.
This past week I was searching eBay and found a seller who listed about 15 sets of these vintage ornaments. Although I did show some restraint, I still ended up buying six sets of six. That’s an additional 36 ornaments.
I always enjoy the thrill of the hunt. I think that’s part of my problem. However, I do get an incredible amount of joy whenever I go thrifting or shop online for vintage treasures. So, in my book, that makes the whole process worth it. Does anyone else feel the same way? Please tell me I’m not alone. I guess if I had to choose a vice, hunting for treasures isn’t so bad.
In an effort to help organize my hunting process, I’ve created a few collections on eBay. You may remember that I talked about this when I made my paint dipped brass candlesticks. In fact, I have a collection for vintage ornaments, tree toppers, and other holiday goodies. Be sure to follow me on eBay to check out my collections. You’ll find a lot of IBC-inspired treasures.
Anyway, today I just wanted to share a few of my new-to-me favorite ornaments.
The detail in these almost makes me want to start creating some of my own. Almost. Can you believe people actually took the time to make such detailed and beautiful ornaments? I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to give them a new life.
I posted a picture of these on Instagram and Pinterest. I was truly touched by all of the memories the image stirred up. Folks were remembering these from there childhood. Some people even told stories of their parents or grandparents making them. Some even talked about making them themselves. Others were excited to dig through old boxes to put their own vintage ornaments back on display. I love that!
For me, that’s what design is all about. Stirring up memories and emotions – making people feel something. And what better time to so than the holidays.
I hope you don’t mind me sharing my new collection with you. Have I inspired you to dig up some of your own vintage treasures? I’d love to hear your stories. Let me know in the comments below.
My eBay collections were curated as part of my collaboration with eBay. As always, the thoughts and ideas are all my own. #FollowItFindIt
I inherited a HUGE box of my mom’s leftovers from the kits and supplies she bought when I was a kid in the 70’s. They were all sorted and labeled in baby food and peanut butter jars. I am talking thousands of beads and pins and appliques etc and the original patterns. I teach a vocational special ed high school class. We got to work about a month ago making them mostly freestyle and a bit more simple than the originals. We are selling them tonight at a local craft show to raise money to buy presents for needy children. What fun we have had! Everyone that comes into our classroom has gotten involved. I am so glad I got to share these memories with my students. We have made about 50 ornaments so far and are running very low on pins and satin balls.
Love love love!!!!!
Now question. … is that a gold treevor white. I cant make out past the super bling 🙂
I collect the bead sequin pin ornaments, too. I have a collection of little boots. I was given one as a child by a dear neighbor in a bright lime green color. I kept it all my life. As an adult, I decided to look for them on ebay. I have red, blue and white, now. I hope to someday come across more green. I’m glad to know that there are other sequin pin ornament fans out there. They are so sparkly and fun.
Oh, those are just beautiful. Remind me so much of my grandmother’s tree and all her beautiful treasures. My mom and dad have some of those ornaments and I need to just sit and look at them this Christmas season. Thanks so much for sharing.
Your tree and vintage ornaments are just breathtaking! I would love to have that in my house. Unfortunately I have a Christmas tree climbing cat so I will just have to look at your beautiful pictures and dream about that tree being with me 🙂
You’ve reminded me of my Grandmother’s ornaments. They’ve been lovingly stored for years.. what was I thinking?! I’m going to get those out and display them. Thank you so much for bringing back such wonderful memories!
The old ornaments are charming. I have some that are begging to be used this holiday season. Thanks for the beautiful reminder.
You’re welcome! I say bring them all out!
xo Michael
These ornaments remind me of my grandmothers and mother’s Christmas trees! after all these years, it or not, they still have them! Now they are called vintage, when I was growing up, it was just ornaments!
Isn’t that amazing how time changes things. I’m glad to see these are still considered beautiful. They will always be to me. 🙂
xo Michael
What color is the actual tree and where was it from? I love how mellow it is!
Hey Sarah! The tree is from Treetopia. It’s their “All that Glitters” tree. The needles are a mix of gold and platinum. I talk more about the tree here: https://inspiredbycharm.com/2013/11/rockin-around-the-vintage-christmas-tree.html Hope that helps! 🙂
xo Michael
Your tree looks phenomenal. Those ornaments are amongst the prettiest I have seen, you really did an amazing job with your finds!
Awwww! Thank you SO much Jen! Aren’t they beautiful? Vintage all the way!
xo Michael
I, too, suffer from this compulsion, but I prefer to looking at it as a mission to save these beautiful ornaments from someone who doesn’t appreciate them. I think of the person who loving pushed all those pins in the Styrofoam ball. I think she is glad that we love them and cherish them. A few years ago I was in one of those house sales that makes you question your sanity. So. Much. Junk. On my way out, empty handed, I poked my head in the garage and there was a bag of dozens of sequin covered balls! Four for a dollar! I couldn’t leave them there. Thanks for showing us your treasures.
Lisa, I absolutely love your perspective. Haha! However, I think I’m done … well, until I see something I just can’t pass up on. 😉
xo Michael
I love your approach when decorating, thoughtful but not fussy or overdone. Just right! xo
So sweet Tanya! Thank you. 🙂
xo Michael
OMG, Michael, your tree is even more luscious now! I think you could spend your money in far worse ways than collecting all this lovliness. I’m a terrible enabler and advise continued collecting with gusto!!! I like to think of it as preserving and honoring the past traditions. That’s my excuse and I’m stickin’ to it! My favorite ornaments are 2 sets I made when my son was a toddler and he’s now 1 month shy of his 45th birthday. Both sets were Bucilla Company kits. Cut out the fabrics, sew on a million sequins and beads, embroider facial features, attach yarn for hair, sew together and stuff. One set was the Wizard of Oz characters, the other, Goldilocks and the 3 Bears. We laughingly call them my million dollar ornaments because it took 2 full years to get them all completely finished. They are my and my children and grandchildrens favorites and always have the best spot on the tree. I also treasure 2 vintage German elf ornaments with funny little plastic faces that are on skis that were on my Grandparents tree when I was a little girl and now always on mine. Your tree is magical and brings back many, many happy memories! Thanks for starting off my 2013 Holiday Season in such a wonderful way!!!
Kris, thank you so much for sharing your amazing story. What a special memory for you and your family. I’m sure those ornaments will be treasured for generations to come. That’s seriously what decorating and the holidays are really all about. 🙂
xo Michael
I have a handful of vintage ornaments given to me by my grandmother. I just adore them.
I love how colourful your tree is and that it is not the typical green, red and white.
OMG I don’t know what to say…I still have several of these that I made back in the 70’s. My 30 year old daughter has no interest in them….I am kinda sick of them to tell the truth! It warms my heart to know that someone really appreciates them! I bought kits at Lee Wards in Milwaukee and made so many of them. Many of them have been discarded due to missing sequins etc. Had no idea they were of any value. So excited that they are back in vogue!
Awww! Well they are certainly back in vogue in my house. I’m not sure about the rest of America. It’s a good reminder though that if you love something, it really never goes out of style. Right?
xo Michael
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Your tree is beautiful and the photos as well. This makes me want to get out there and search for vintage ornaments. Nice job. Thanks for sharing.
Awww! Thanks so much. Why buy new when you can repurpose vintage.
xo Michael
I LOVE the vintage ornaments! I get caught up in something “new” to collect, too. Find a few and then go crazy looking for/ getting more!
Yes – exactly. I’m the same way … obviously. 😉
xo Michael
Beautiful ornaments. I can how easy it would be to get carried away!
Right!? Thankfully I’m not the only one.
xo Michael
yes michael you HAVE inspired me….i LOVE the vintage look, it’s just so pretty. over the weekend i found 3 of the christmas tree light up toppers at thrift stores! i will place them randomly like you have on your tree this year. last year i copied you and did the tree ornaments by color! remember!? so yes, you inspire me! lol. thank YOU!
Woot! Woot! That’s so awesome to hear. I bet your tree(s) look fabulous! Thanks so much Sharon.
xo Michael
I just bought a bunch of vintage ornaments on eBay, too! I’m obsessed! Your tree looks beautifull 🙂
Hopefully you get addicted like me. I need to stop. Haha. Thanks Rachel!
xo Michael
Help!!!! I too am addicted. My Mother made these back in the 70’s. She started with the Lee Ward kits. Of course, I wasn’t interested then. She passed away just after Christmas 13 years ago. I have some of hers. I’d give anything to SHARE this hobby with her today. Are you making these from kits?