How to Make Spun Cotton Ornaments from Blank Spun Paper Shapes

Create beautiful vintage-style spun cotton ornaments using blank spun paper shapes — a simple, fun craft perfect for Christmas, home décor, and handmade gifts.

Whether you’re new to crafting or a seasoned maker, this step-by-step guide will help you transform blank spun paper shapes into stunning ornaments. You’ll learn essential tools, easy techniques, creative decoration ideas, and styling tips to make your handmade ornaments truly unforgettable.

Popular Ornament Styles You Can Create

• Vintage
• Elves with felt scarves
• Glittered peaches
• Sugared plums
• Glittered apples and pears
• Glittered lemons

What Are Spun Paper Shapes?

Spun paper shapes are pre-formed paper ornament blanks made by rolling soft paper into classic shapes like balls, teardrops, eggs, and fruits. Unlike traditional cotton batting methods, these shapes are ready-to-decorate, durable, lightweight, and shatter-proof — perfect for DIY ornament making and vintage-inspired projects.

A Brief History of Spun Cotton Ornaments

Spun cotton ornaments originated in the Saxony region of Germany during the second half of the 19th century, in the late Victorian era. These charming, old-fashioned decorations were traditionally made using cotton batting (and sometimes wool batting), a fluffy, raw-looking material created from non-woven fibers.

Artisans would wrap and shape the batting around molds to form fruits, figures, and holiday decorations. Once dried and painted, the ornaments became lightweight, delicate treasures that were especially popular for Christmas trees and festive displays.

Today, blank spun paper shapes recreate the look and feel of these historic ornaments — while making the crafting process easier, cleaner, and more durable for modern DIY projects.

Why You’ll Love This DIY

• Fast and beginner-friendly: No need to sculpt the base — start decorating right away.
• Endless design possibilities: Paint, glitter, collage, and more.
• Great for all skill levels: Kids and adults can join in.
• Perfect for holidays & gifts: Create ornaments with personal meaning.

Tools & Materials You’ll Need

Here’s a list of simple craft supplies to get you started:

• Blank spun paper shapes (balls, eggs, fruit shapes, peg dolls)
• Acrylic craft paints
• Paint brushes
• Glue (PVA or craft glue)
• German glass glitter or regular glitter
• Water spray bottle
• Wire or ornament hooks for hanging
• Cardstock or paper for leaves, wings, hats, and accessories

Step-by-Step: Making Your Spun Paper Ornaments

1. Prep Your Shapes

Lay your blank spun paper shapes on a clean workspace. They already have small holes on one end — perfect for adding hanging loops or wire.

2. Add a Base Color

Paint your shapes with acrylic craft paint. For a vintage look, blend soft hues and add a little grey near the edges to soften bright tones. This makes colors appear more antique and nuanced.

💡 Tip: Use a light water mist before painting — it helps the paint spread evenly and prevents quick absorbing.

3. Create Shape Details

You can alter basic shapes by compressing them while slightly damp. For example, turn a round ball into a peach or a plum by gently pressing a ridge with a tool or spoon handle.

4. Embellish with Glitter

Once the paint dries, brush a thin layer of glue and sprinkle glitter for a magical vintage sparkle. Let dry completely before handling.

5. Add Hanging Loops

Insert wire or ornament hooks into the built-in holes, secure with a bit of glue, and bend into loops for hanging.

Creative Ornament Ideas

Here are some of our favorite spun paper ornament projects:

1. Vintage Peach Ornament

Use a round shape, create gentle ridges for a realistic fruit form, then paint soft yellows and oranges with subtle shading. Finish with glitter for shimmer.

2. Glittered Plum Ornaments

Compress a spun paper ball lightly, paint purple, then add green paper leaves with a wire stem. Glitter makes these extra festive

3. Angel Decorations

Take a peg doll shape, paint the body and face, add lace for clothing, and use fluffy white chenille for wings. A simple wire loop hanger completes the angelic look.

4. Classic Fruit & Holiday Ornaments

Apples, pears, lemons, and berries — all are possible with minor shaping and paint combinations.

You can find a wide variety of fruit-shaped spun paper blanks in our shop.

Still have questions about spun cotton-style ornaments or spun paper shapes? Here are some helpful answers:

Frequently Asked Questions About Spun Cotton Ornaments & Spun Paper Shapes

What are spun paper shapes made from?

Spun paper shapes are made from soft rolled paper formed into lightweight, durable ornament blanks. They are designed to mimic the look of traditional spun cotton ornaments while being easier to decorate and more resistant to damage.

Are spun paper shapes the same as spun cotton ornaments?

Traditional spun cotton ornaments were made using cotton batting wrapped around molds. Modern spun paper shapes recreate the same vintage style and appearance but are made from paper, making them cleaner, sturdier, and ready to decorate right out of the package.

What kind of paint works best on spun paper shapes?

Acrylic craft paint works best because it provides good coverage, dries quickly, and adheres well to the paper surface. Thin layers give the smoothest vintage-style finish.

Are spun paper ornaments durable?

Yes. Spun paper ornaments are lightweight yet sturdy and far less fragile than glass ornaments, making them great for long-term use and storage.

Can I use spun paper shapes for more than Christmas ornaments?

Absolutely! While they’re popular for holiday decorations, spun paper shapes are also great for party décor, seasonal crafts, gift toppers, and vintage-inspired displays year-round.

Looking for blank spun paper shapes to start your project? Explore our full collection here.

Conclusion

Spun paper shapes are a versatile foundation for beautiful handmade ornaments. Easy to personalize, fun to make, and ideal for holidays or everyday décor, these projects are sure to inspire creativity.

Happy crafting with Spunnys!
Let us know what you create in the comments or tag your photos when you share them!