I think after gluing on the lace, you have to use something else to cover it all, either paint or gesso or something. Let that dry and then do the watered down paint or stain.

This post was edited by FlamingO_in_AR on Tue, Oct 21, 14 at 6:56

They might be using water color paints, or there are certain paints in the tole painting area that are more of a stain instead of the thicker paints. If you have a Hobby Lobby store, or anywhere they sell these paints, look for the stains. Just watering them down, could weaken the colors.

I have made some like this and used stain.

It looks to me like they're using mod podge. Coat the ball in mod podge wherever you intend to lay on the trim.... lay down the trim and coat the entire thing in mod podge and let it dry.

Not sure if they're using a gel stain or paint to apply the dark color for that "antiqued" look... then smear it off and apply mica for the sparkle? just my guess from what I see in the photos... but I don't do pinterest so maybe I don't see everything. :p

Definitely looks like it is modge podge. Cover the ball with it then put the lace pieces on one at a time and completely cover with modge podge continue till all lace has been modge podge on let dry completely. Use antique modge podge to get the antiqued finish. You can get all the versions of modge podge at hobby lobby or something similar.

Thanks everyone! I am having my 14th annual Christmas Craft Night and was determined to make these ornaments.

Another really pretty finish is using epsom salt you have to get the grainy type not the cheap flaky kind.
Modge podge the item be it a bulb or a glass jar what ever, then roll it in the grainy epsom salts till it has a good coat of it all over. Once it is good and dry spray it with either a light lacquer spray or an old fashion hair spray like Aqua net that is basically lacquer. That seals it on so it does not fall off when touched.
It gives it a snow covered look, very pretty. You can add a tiny bit of food color to the epsom salts to make them colors.
Or you can buy at bed bath and beyond little packages of colored epsom salts that are also scented, I bought a few of these.
Epsom Salt Crafts
a pinterest page of all kinds of epsom salt crafts. very easy and pretty.

I saw a few of the epson salt crafts on Pinterest and they are pretty cool.

Thanks again for all the help. I am off to the store in a few minutes.

Yes use a craft stain.

We want to see the finished ornaments, so please post pictures - we need inspiration!

Cool about the epsom salts. I need to remember that next time I need that "look"! :)

Not very helpful DIY project since it doesn't even tell you what to use. I give whoever came up with that project a big thumb's down for clarity. Everyone is just supposed to know what they use? GAH! *SMH*

Ok..I went and got the Modge Podge and then looked at the stains. I went with a paint gel stain rather than the Modge Podge
Antique. So far I have put two coats of MP along with the cut up lace.
It is looking better than my first attempt already. I'm glad I asked because I didn't even know they made a craft stain. I will post a picture when I am done!!

Cool will be waiting for your results!

Sometimes on pinterest items people will put them on their blogs etc and fail to link back to the directions and the original post. I hate when they do that. I prefer to pin directly from the original site with the directions when possible.