Decorate Your Tree with Painted Wood Slice Ornaments

DIY Painted Wood Slice Ornaments

Creating a painted wood slice ornament is quick and easy. With just a little bit of preparation and some time, you’ll have gorgeous decorations to hang around your house or to give as gifts!

Supplies Needed for Your Painted Wood Slice Ornaments

There are only a few necessary items needed to make painted wood slice ornaments. A few other supplies are optional. It will be up to you whether you use them or not.

First off, you’ll need to purchase wood slices. If you can buy wood slices that already have a hole drilled in the top, it will save you time down the road.

You’ll also need to purchase chalkboard paint or acrylic paint, paint brushes, chalk or paint pens, sealant (optional), and ribbon.

How to Make Your Painted Wood Slice Ornaments

Step 1: Paint the wood slice

Find a clean space where you can paint your wood slices.

Although some paint instructions will suggest that you sand the wood first, this isn’t necessary with raw wood slices.

Grab a paintbrush and paint a solid coat of chalkboard paint onto the front of the wood slice. It’s up to you if you want to take the paint all the way out to the edges of the wood slice, or if you want to keep a ¼” border, so you can see the natural wood. Once the paint has dried, paint 1-2 more coats so it’s evenly covered.

Don’t have any chalkboard paint on hand? This works great with acrylic paint, as well! Choose your desired color and paint 2-3 coats the same way you would chalkboard paint.

Step 2: Create your design

Once the paint is completely dry, use regular chalk to write words or to draw a simple picture on your wood slice ornament. The chalk should wipe off easily with a damp cloth so the design can be changed every year, or if you make a mistake you’d like to cover!

Pro tip: Don’t use a chalkboard paint pen, as the paint tends to be harder to wipe off and may end up being permanent.

Did you use the acrylic paint method? Allow the paint to completely dry. Use a paint pen in your desired color to write a word or to draw a picture on the wood slice!

Step 3: For acrylic paint option – Seal your design

To ensure the paint doesn’t smudge, apply a thin layer of sealant to your acrylic project once the paint has dried. It’s suggested to put 2-3 coats of sealant to be sure it’s protected.

Step 4: Finishing Touches

Once the wood slice is completely dry, thread a piece of ribbon through the hole. To make it easier, twist the ribbon tightly around itself so it will fit through. Tie a knot at the end of the ribbon so there’s enough room to hang on a tree or on a hook. Cut both ends at an angle to cut off any loose threads.

Pro tip: Use wired ribbon to make it easier to thread through the wood slice!

Variation DIY Wood Slice Ornaments

Interested in taking your wood slice ornaments a step further? Why not try using fabric to decorate your ornaments?

Supplies Needed for Your Wood Slice Ornament Variation

Once more, you’ll need your wood slices, fabric scraps, Mod Podge, tagboard or paper, scissors, ruler or measuring tape, pencil, smaller scissors, faux flowers, hot glue gun and glue, and ribbon.

How to Make Your Variation DIY Wood Slice Ornaments

Step 1: Prep the wood slice

Using a piece of tagboard or paper, trace the outside of the wood slice.

Next, use a tape measure or ruler to measure ¼” in from the outer circle on the tagboard.

Mark several dots all around the inside of the circle.

Draw a line that connects the dots, so a smaller circle is drawn on the inside of the outer circle on the tagboard.

Cut out the inside circle.

Step 2: Prep the fabric

Lay the tagboard circle onto the wrong side of the fabric and trace around it using a fabric pen.

Be sure to flip the cut out upside down, since you’re tracing on the wrong side of the fabric. This way, the fabric will have the correct shape when it’s flipped right side up and ready to be placed on the wood slice.

Cut out the fabric circle.

Step 3: Decoupage the fabric

Using Mod Podge, paint a thin coat on the top of the wood slice. Be careful not to allow too much Mod Podge to collect inside the hole.

Step 4: Place the fabric on the wood slice

Lay the fabric circle on the wood slice, smoothing the fabric over the Mod Podge. Press firmly so no bubbles are caught under the fabric.

Using a small pair of scissors, cut a hole where the hole in the wood slice is. This way, it won’t be so hard to create the hole once the Mod Podge is dry.

Paint another layer of Mod Podge over the top of the fabric.

Step 5: Add decorations

This step is up to you! Choose to get creative and find your own add-ons, or go with one of these examples.

Cut out the first letter of your last name from a different fabric. Lay this on top of the wet Mod Podge and paint another layer of Mod Podge over top of the letter. Allow it to dry completely.

Or, cut off a few faux flowers at the back of the petals. Once the Mod Podged fabric is dry, apply a medium-sized dot of hot glue onto the back of the faux flower. Press the flower firmly onto the wood slice. Apply as many flowers as you desire.

Or get creative and find your own special touches to add to the colorful fabric wood slice ornament!

No sealant is needed for this project since the Mod Podge acts as a protectant for the wood slice.

Step 5: Finishing touches

Insert a piece of ribbon through the hole. Tie a knot at the end of the ribbon. Your ornament is ready to hang!