Christmas ornaments from spun cotton / Antique technique of creating Xmas decorations

Hi everyone, today I'll show you how to make Christmas ornaments from spun cotton. This is antique technique of making ornaments, used in the beginning of 20-th century, hope you like it!
Rocking horse and Baba Yaga template: drive.google.com/file/d/1Ckjc...
Here are some links for materials:
cotton roll: www.amazon.com/Cotton-2178-St...
www.alimed.com/absorbent-cott...
Mica flakes
www.amazon.com/Shiny-Stone-Pa...
www.amazon.com/Tim-Holtz-Dist...
white glue
www.amazon.com/dp/B0038DZZJC/...

[@kimburns8347]

Thank you for sharing this! When I was a child, we made ornaments like this with my Grandmother. I had no idea how to make them, but I've been wanting to with my children. Thank you for bringing back beautiful memories!

[@AnhelmMabon]

What a lovely video and so useful! I have made a bird inspired by yours and added to my Christmas wreath, it looks nice there too :)

[@elenabaker1914]

All I can say is "Wow"! The Baba Yaga is amazing. This artist definitely has talent. Thank you for sharing your process with us.

[@lovefaithope7]

Thanks so much for sharing! I tried this on my own and was inspired by you. I did some tests with using either glue and water, egg white and then I saw on another video you can use a cornstarch mixture. From my experiments I ended up liking using the glue water to get the initial base shape together, then for fine shaping I used the cornstarch mixture. I at first tried the egg white but didn't like the yellow tinge it left once dried and when I painted over it, I was making snowmen, I didn't like the texture the paint left. So for me the cornstarch as the final layer to smooth worked great, it did provide a nice smoothing of the cotton and left no color. I used a synthetic brush and it worked great. I mixed one tablespoon cornstarch with a few tbs water, then let boil with an additional cup of water, then let it cool and I keep the mixture in a glass jar on my craft table. Thanks again and hope this helps people who are starting out

[@emelless5365]

Thank you for this information.I am going to make some of these wonderful crafts for sure! All the best with yours!

[@LL-ex1gp]

Thank you for sharing this! I’m trying to use glue and water, but not sure I have the right consistency or something. It is taking forever to dry and falling off in some places 😢

[@lovefaithope7]

Hope it helps! And yes I was having the same trouble with the glue and water mixture s when i used it as my final smoothing later but the cornstarch mixture was so much smoother for me with no flaky pieces once dry

[@renees766]

That's incredible. You have such talent!

[@amandajones6481]

Dear Irene, thank you for showing us how to do this technique with cotton wool. This reminds me (because I make jewellery as well as other crafty things 😉) of Cotton Pearls which were invented in the early 1920's when the "Flapper" look came into fashion along with jazz music, and young women started wearing shorter dresses with long pearl necklaces. The only problem was that real pearls were too expensive and glass pearls were too heavy, so the Cotton Pearl was invented and it consisted - as it still does today - of an outer shell of mother of pearl filled with cotton! And they look great, just like your cotton and glue ornaments. I love these old techniques and the way you're maintaining them. Love from Amanda in Australia ❤ P.S. Do you dilute the glue with water? And what type of glue do you use? Thanks again.

[@IrenesDIY]

Thanks a lot Amanda, I didn't know the story about the cotton pearls, that made me think of diying a pearl Christmas garland☺ I use white glue and I don't dilute it, but be sure to choose a non-sticky one) I've tried several brands before I found the right glue for using with ornaments

[@jothriny]

Wow, this requires extra skills..it is not for everyone to make...all gorgeous...you are super talented :)

[@iCarilloninChrist]

*_Those are the most ADORABLE snowmen EVER !! So precious !!_*💛

[@juliahelland6488]

Thanks again for sharing your talent! 💯 ❣️

[@jackiedrowley3351]

Thank you for sharing x

[@christmasina]

Your creations just leave me speechless. You make it look so easy, but so intricate. Please keep sharing your talents!

[@pattiscraftcorner3530]

Super cute

[@rozanidesignsmasquerade7050]

Soooo wonderfully made❣️ I enjoy the age old traditions of different cultures. The cotton is great for sculpting. Thank you for showing the details so nicely. I appreciate your talent and the sharing of these creations.

[@grannygrimson]

Wow!! You have so much amazing talent!!🤩 Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and skills 🤗

[@annesweeney5552]

So very cool I haven’t done this since I was five with my mother! So very cool .

[@peggyreid6836]

Over them as usual. Greetings from the U.S.A.

[@maryflower3479]

Beautiful

[@sandramaramendes-6763]

Wow!!! Thanks for sharing this! What an artist You are!

[@suebrown7882]

A very clear demonstration but i am sure it's not as easy as you make it look because of your skill! I will try the rocking horse as it looks beautiful. Thanks for showing us.

[@darlenescott5213]

I love them all, new subscriber, just love them all 💖

[@SuzieLivesInHerHead]

The cardinals fluffy tail would be perfect for a phoenix ornament! I want to do a couple Harry Potter ornaments and may try to make it happen. Thank you for the beautiful inspiration!

[@IrenesDIY]

Great idea! Thanks for sharing!

[@2sons1lv]

I love HARRY POTTER !

[@LovetheLouvre]

Beautiful!

[@sanditessmeroates7803]

You make this look so easy, but I laughed at my 1st 3. Not pretty, but I will try again. Thank you for sharing this beautiful art

[@siiiriously3226]

i love that you made Baba Yaga!

[@melbabowen4389]

Wow!!! Gorgeous ornaments!!! Wonderful tutorial! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR AWESOME TALENT!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@karentaylor2339]

Wow! Thank you for sharing this

[@MsKisvuk]

Thank you for your great video!

[@joanneroot8990]

You do amazing work! Beautiful!

[@imaginayaprendeconcaro1505]

Muy hermosos trabajo!!!

[@melbabowen4389]

Very good tutorial, and lovely ornaments!!! Thank you ❤️❤️❤️

[@lynnemorton6055]

Hi Irene, 2 years later and still amazing. No one would ever think of using cotton wool and egg white. Ive seen you this before yet you continue to amaze me. Thank you for sharing. Luv from the UK

[@claudiainman5749]

Does she really used eggs whites? I just wondering. Thank you

[@lynnemorton6055]

@@claudiainman5749 Yeah Irene has a friend and her Grandmother told her thats what they used in the olden days. Im sure thats what Irene has said.

[@veronicawhite398]

I love the baba yaga. So fun.

[@Natashasplash88]

This is beyond amazing! Such nice craft, only cotton and glue/egg white. I've subscribed to both of your channels, you are a work of art! 💕

[@IrenesDIY]

Thank you, dear)

[@MissMolly3377]

@@IrenesDIY what is your other channel called?

[@IrenesDIY]

@@MissMolly3377 it's simply My DIY Life))

[@darlenescott5213]

I still have my Moms snowman,it’s very old and made the same way, I can’t wait to try these 💖

[@MissMolly3377]

You are so talented. I really want to try these.

[@denisebutcher7717]

Wow 🤩

[@gerriellsworth4100]

Awesome! New subscriber! I would love to try this technique....

[@JARAMILLO._.135]

Hermoso

[@album3kartkabyscrap-ann587]

Amazing 😍😍😍😍😍

[@lindastuckey3131]

😍

[@2sons1lv]

What wonderful creations. I can’t stop watching. Thank you so much my darling foe such joy and inspiration. Where did u learn theses wonderful techniques ? 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼💖👍🏼💖💖👍🏼💓

[@IrenesDIY]

Thanks a lot! This is traditional Russian craft, we used to make these ornaments long ago, and now it becomes popular again)

[@starbuono825]

Can you please tell me what the egg white is for ? Is it just to help you shape the cotton ? Thank you for your beautiful vídeos everything you do is so beautiful ! 😁👍👍👍

[@IrenesDIY]

Thanks! It is just to shape the ornaments better and to avoid sticking it to fingers)

[@lisakeyes9474]

Thanks so much for your informative videos; I've watched the circus ornament one also. I have a question about using egg whites versus glue. I noticed you didn't use any egg whites in the creation of the circus ornaments. Can you offer any advice on when you choose to use each? Does the cotton applied with egg whites accept paint better or is it simply less sticky when adding small pieces of cotton? I'd appreciate hearing what you've experienced. Thanks!

[@IrenesDIY]

Hi, I liked using egg white for last covering layer, to make the surface very smooth, and the ornaments still look great now within a year. The only reason I didn't use it for circus ornaments was because I got tons of comments about it at my Russian channel, saying the ornaments would get stinky and even when I told them the year have passed and all is fine -didn't reassure them))) I just didn't want all that comments again, to be honest))) otherwise I think I would use it again)

[@lisakeyes9474]

@@IrenesDIY Thanks for sharing the comments from your Russian channel. I think I'll try the egg whites and glue to experience both methods. I enjoyed hearing that egg whites were used in the original method of making these ornaments so long ago.

[@IrenesDIY]

Yes, I was a bit doubtful about these first, although I read egg whites were used for cotton ornaments originally, but after a year has passed I'm pretty sure they hold very well))) think will experiment more with them after all)

[@mariae6942]

I love this craft! Thanks for sharing, I am wondering though about the use of egg whites here, wouldn’t the egg whites eventually over time cause a rot or mold problem? I am a little apprehensive about using the egg whites for this reason.

[@IrenesDIY]

Hi, I actually made these ornaments 3 or 4 years ago (this video was translated into English later than I made the original one) and they're still fine! If they are kept in dry place and not exposed to humidity - they'll be ok

[@carolbrown5516]

I’m curious about using the egg white instead of glue?

[@suzanneshervinskie8422]

What weight ligature wire should I use?

[@IrenesDIY]

I'm using thin wire, the gauge doesn't matter much, this is just to make cotton hold its shape. you could even use pipe cleaners for this purpose)

[@lauramaunu5313]

What is the brand of cotton you are using? And is it cotton quilt batting? Just wondering what I need to buy😊 thanks

[@karencatalano4349]

I know this is an older vidio but the egg white doesn’t smell or attract bugs??

[@IrenesDIY]

Hi, no, once dry it stays fine! The ornaments are 3 years old now and they're perfect!

[@causetherat308]

Thanks for the informative video. Is there any benefits using egg whites instead of potato starch?

[@IrenesDIY]

Hi, I didn't try potato starch for this purpose, so cannot tell you)

[@Lilithmoon1]

I love the Baba Yaga, she's wonderful! Thank you for sharing!