In our office right now we are fairly bursting with babies. Two staff members just welcomed their first grandchildren and two more staffers are expecting. Needless to say, handmade gifts for baby are on my mind.
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| Use a purchased bezel like this one by Kristen Robinson or start with an heirloom locket to make handmade ornaments. |
If the family celebrates Christmas, my favorite newborn gift is a “baby’s first Christmas” ornament. I love the ones our children received. They help us remember the people who gave us the gift and my girls always enjoy giving these ornaments a special place on our tree.
Sometimes I give handmade Christmas ornaments; sometimes I buy an ornament and personalize it. I usually keep it simple: a photo of the baby I took (or received from the family) in a small decorative frame with a loop for hanging. I make sure there is a date on the ornament and attach a little message to the back wishing the child love and many happy holidays to come.
You can make handmade ornaments for babies–or anyone–extra special by using a sentimental found object as a bezel.
Any concave object can be turned into a bezel. With a tiny teaspoon from grandma’s silver service, a seashell harking back to family trips to the shore, or great-grandfather’s pocket watch case, plus resin, you can create your own heirloom ornament.
If you’ve never worked with bezels and resin before or have limited practice, I could understand how you might not want to start with a family treasure. So we’ve put together an exclusive kit with just about everything you need to create your own handmade ornaments.
Handmade Ornaments: Bezels, Resin, and Bling, comes with two incredible resources from Kristen Robinson for learning mixed-media jewelry techniques, plus resin and jewelry-making supplies, as well as instructions for turning these supplies into beautiful custom keepsake ornaments. Just add your own embellishments and ephemera.
Adorable baby not included.
P.S. What’s your favorite handmade gift for a new baby? Leave your answer below.