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DIY: Mosaic Ornaments from CDs + Video Tutorial


I've been itching to make holiday crafts all year and I'm so excited to share my first one. For this week's DIY project, I'm making some sparkly ornaments made out of something that I'm sure we all have tons of at home: CDs. Check out the video tutorial below!


When you cut them into small pieces, they're a great alternative to mosaic tiles with an added touch of shine. Add some handmade flavor to your own tree or make them as holiday gifts! Now, let's get started...

P.S. Check out my DIY gift wrapping paper tutorial for another holiday craft!



Materials: 
•  Glass ornament (I got a pack of 4 on sale at Michaels for $2!)
•  CDs (choose ones that are silver underneath and not blue/purple. It takes about 1½ to make 1 ornament)
•  Ribbon
•  Scissors
•  Glue gun


Steps: 
• Cut CDs into various small shapes and sizes. It's not the simplest material to cut through, but can be done with a decent pair of scissors.
• Glue a small dot onto the ornament and press a piece of mosaic on top with the shiny side facing up. Be sure to wipe away any remaining "spiderwebs" from the glue gun. I find it much easier to clean as you go then to wait until the end.
• Continue gluing until the entire ornament is covered. Tip: You can also place the ornament on top of a small cup to hold in place as you glue.
• Place some ribbon inside the ornament. Since you can see through the glass ornament, this will cover up the glue dots on the inside and the back side of the CD pieces. Tip: Use bright ribbon to add some extra color. 

You're done! Now make a bunch, hang 'em up and watch your tree sparkle!



46 comments:

  1. These are beautiful!! And I love that you reuse old CDs. I have plenty of those lying around ready to be made into something pretty.

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  2. Great idea! I was thinking about changing the look of my Christmas tree, so I can recycle old balls.

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  3. See, I knew those old CD's would come in handy! I love, love this idea!!!
    Can't wait to make some this weekend.
    Thank you for posting!

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  4. Great DIY idea! I have some old CD's around... ;) THX
    lici

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  5. Hello Natalie. These are amazing! I've shared these on my facebook page as daily craft inspiration, with all the backlinks ofcourse!
    Thanks.
    Here is the link - https://www.facebook.com/letscreatecrafts

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  6. These are gorgeous! Can you tell me if you think they would be dangerous? Are the edges sharp and pointy? If I pack them up at the end of the year will I cut myself the next year taking them out again? Just wondering :)

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    1. Thanks Stacy! No, I wouldn't say they are dangerous. I haven't had any problems handling them. Since the CDs are plastic and not glass, they are not as sharp. To be safer, you can cut the pieces into more square-like shapes instead of triangles. Hope that helps!

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  7. Anonymous11/21/2012

    how cute !

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  8. Lovely! Im sure they make your tree seem so much brighter too with all the reflections :)

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  9. Anonymous11/21/2012

    These look beautiful. Well done.
    xx Tanya
    http://aciddreamsandsugarhighs.blogspot.com/

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  10. Anonymous11/25/2012

    I had trouble with the edges flaking, tried putting them in warm water first to make them a little more pliable,but that didn't work either. I used good sharp scissors as well. Love the idea , but do you have any suggestions? Your edges look nice and clean!

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    Replies
    1. Hi! It might be the type of CD you are using. Some have a foil film-type material on top, which is what might be flaking off. I used CDs that seem to have the ink printed directly on top and I didn't have any issues. Try using different CDs and see if that solves the problem. Hope that helps! ~Natalie

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  11. This is a fantastic idea to reuse cds! I love how sparkly it looks :)

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  12. Anonymous11/29/2012

    These would be neat to hang in your window for suncathers, too!

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    1. Anonymous11/24/2014

      I put a hole punch thru top and bottom and string them whole., and then hang where sun can get them The silver rainbow color has amazing effect String to make different lengths Just another idea for these

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  13. Anonymous12/08/2012

    Why do you say to not use the colored CD's? i was thinking the colored ones could be used if you have a color theme.. Just wondering if there is a reason.
    thanks
    Merry Christmas

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    1. Hi! You absolutely can and that's a great idea! I only stuck with ones that had a silver back, but there's no reason not to experiment with other kinds. ~Natalie

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  14. Love this idea! Thank you for sharing. I'm going have look at your other ideas :) x

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  15. Thanks so much for sharing - I LOVE it! We've linked up to you in our post "Clear Ornament Inspiration."
    http://youpinspireme.blogspot.ca/2012/12/clear-ornament-inspiration.html

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  16. Anonymous2/09/2013

    you have my name so i am so inspired :)

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  17. I like how you used an old CD for the mirror tiles, instead of glass. Very creative!

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  18. Me encanta tu idea, tratare de ponerla en marcha.
    gracias.

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  19. What a great idea! Thanks for sharing!

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  20. Wow I can't believe this! This is definitely the best idea ever. Thank you so so much for sharing!

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  21. Adorei a dica.
    Muito criativa.
    Convido-a para conhecer meu blog tb.Já estou lhe seguindo no Pinterest tb.ok
    Bjs

    Rutiléia Acessórios Exclusivos

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  22. Lizzie Smith9/13/2013

    CDs are easier to cut if they are warmed first to soften them.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous12/15/2013

      How do you warm them? Just tried my microwave and not a good idea!!! (fire hazzard)

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    2. Try setting them in boiling water for a bit to soften, though as suggested below, a pair of sharp utility scissors will work also. :)

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  23. Anonymous9/20/2013

    Think I`ll do it to colored balls that are getting worn looking-the color will look like grout maybe?

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  24. I love my old disco ball christmas tree ornaments and I have tons of old cds, so I'll definitely be doing this one! :) Lisa

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  25. is it okay if i can use plastic clear ornament balls ?

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    Replies
    1. If you decide to use plastic, the glue gun may melt the plastic. You can trying using tacky glue or E6000 instead.

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  26. Anonymous11/12/2013

    How do you cut the CDs straight and clean? I have tried every pair of scissors in the house and each time the surface makes spider web cracks on the surface?

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    1. I would try a few things...First, you may need heavy-duty scissors. Something that might even cut through wire. You can also try cutting larger pieces, which may help a bit. Lastly, if you have any DVDs that you can use, try that instead. The material is a bit different so that may help. Let me know how it goes!

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  27. Anonymous11/17/2013

    also if yo have CD's that have really color full front labels on them that can't be used anymore say the back is too scratched and it won't look good reflecting the light from off the backs of the CD's then you can still reuse the CD's by cutting them up the same way and glueing them the same way but except this time the front is showing not the back but you will still get a pop of color on you're tree and it's a great way to see how people and family's tastes in music grow and change over the year as people sit there trying to find out what CD it was or artist it was! (but ya know do this with appropriate CD's if you are going to have kids around!) :)

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  28. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  29. Love your blog and this project - so creative and fun! Just wanted to let you know I featured it (and your newest silk flower ornament) in my roundup of glass ornament crafts here. Feel free to check it out if you want and hope you like it! : )

    -Mel the Crafty Scientist

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  30. Anonymous1/14/2014

    Instead of putting ribbon inside--which may not go where you want it to go--why not paint the inside of the clear ball? that way the glue spots wouldn't show either.

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    1. Anonymous1/14/2014

      P.S. another craft for making card holders shows how to paint the inside of clear balls. (I had to use Anonymous because I don't have, nor want, any of the other options. How about adding email as an option?) Thanks. I love this site and all it's ideas. Susan

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  31. These are pretty will have to start saving old cd's and make some. I like the idea someone said of using them for a sun catcher good idea.

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  32. It is amazing but I don't have this transparent ball nor plastic ball:(

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  33. Hello! Natalie please tell me what should I use instead of this glass ball?

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  34. These are cute. Thanks for sharing idea

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  35. Anonymous6/18/2016

    I am making old bowling balls decorated with pennies (shiney ones) for gardens would like to use Cd on them.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous10/18/2016

      What glue would you use to glue cd pieces onto a bowling ball? What glue are you using to glue the pennies onto the bowling ball?

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