DIY Large Christmas Bells (Dollar Tree Craft Idea)

Ready to make DIY large Christmas bell decorations for shelf decor using Dollar Tree glass vases? Well then let’s get to it…Christmas crafting activated! 🎄

I love vintage style Christmas decorations, so I went looking for a way to create larger Christmas bells that would look nice sitting on a shelf.

Last year, I made these DIY hanging bells for the mantel and some of the supplies are the same. So, be sure to check that post out too!

This project had a few mishaps, annoying and funny at the same time. So, I wanted to spray paint the glass vases outside.

Of course, it had to be raining that day even though we’ve been having a dry spell for a looooonnggg time. The weather just somehow knew I wanted to spray paint that day.

I thought to myself, well if I finish spraying these under the trampoline that should protect them from the rain. Jokes on me, because a trampoline pad isn’t waterproof, and the rain dripped right through it.

Then, as I was hurrying inside, one of the bells dropped onto my concrete and shattered. UGH. I had some other choice words for the situation that I won’t mention here.

So, I had to recreate that one after running back to the dollar store for more supplies.

In the end, we made it! Me and the bells. Lol.

So, now that we have that exciting story out of the way, let’s make three big bells for your Christmas shelves!

Supplies for DIY Large Christmas Bells Decorations

• Three Vases of Different Sizes – Dollar Tree
• Glue Gun
• Tea Light Candles – Dollar Tree
• Scissors
• Black Spray Paint
• Rub n’ Buff Antique Gold
• Make-up Powder Brush – Walmart
• Jute Rope, Jute Wire and Wire Cutters (shown toward the end of the post) – Dollar Tree

And a few more angles of the glass vases that I chose for this craft.

Spray Paint the Bottoms of the Bells

First things first, before I did anything I removed the stickers from the bottom of the vases. I wondered if the one was super glued on there, so I used soap, warm water and a scrubber to get that one off!

Paint the bottoms of the bells, or the tops of the vases (depending on how you want to look at it) using the black spray paint.

Allow this to dry. This paint is dry to the touch in about an hour but takes a full day to completely set up.

Create the Rings for the Bells

And by rings, I mean, the loops that the jute rope goes through at the top of the bells.

I purchased tea light candles to make the loops. Originally, I thought they would be a thicker metal; however, these are pretty thin. Think tin foil thin.

So, use three to make them sturdy enough to hold the rope.

Pop out the candle, and then cut the bottom off of three of the metal tea light candle holders.

Then make a circle by gluing the first one together using your hot glue gun.

Hot glue the next two around the first ring.

And you’re all set. You’ve made the first hoop!

Make three of these, one for each bell. I varied the size since my vases or bells were three different sizes.

Hot Glue the Hoops to the Top of the Bells

Next, use the hot glue to adhere each ring or hoop to the top of your bells (or bottom of your vases).

Here’s how they’re shaping up so far.

Hot Glue Over the Hoops to Secure

Next, you’ll use the hot glue gun to hot glue over the part of the ring that’s connected to the bell.

This does two things. One, it gives a sturdier connection and two, it will look like a bit of metal holding the hoop onto the bell.

Spray Paint the Christmas Bells Black

Take the bells outside and apply black spray paint to the tops and sides of your three bells.

Be sure to coat the metal ring as well.

This project had one more fun surprise for me. I was letting them dry for an hour outside since it was a little sunny and breezy.

Well, a gust of wind must have caught the cardboard so when I came back out, they were all strewn across the yard.

They didn’t break again thank goodness but one of the rings was a little squished. I fixed it up with some hot glue. 😅

Apply Rub n’ Buff to the Christmas Bells

Next, you’ll apply rub n’ buff to the bells. I used the color antique gold.

To apply the rub n’ buff squirt a little onto a plastic container and dip your powder brush into the metallic paint.

Blot the make-up brush onto the plastic to remove any clumps or thick areas before applying it to the bells.

Gently blot the rub n’ buff onto the bells. Blotting and swirling it onto your bells.

I used my finger to apply it to the tops of the inside of the hoops.

Create Bell Hangers using Jute Rope and Jute Wire

You’ll need jute rope and wire to make your bell hangers. Wire cutters come in handy too.

These bells are mainly for shelf decor, so the jute rope hangers are just decorative.

Quick note that there are two types of jute rope at Dollar Tree. One is thicker (the 8 ft version) and this is the one I used for the tutorial. But the thinner version would work too.

Eyeball how much rope you’ll need to make the bell hanger. I made a loop at the end and threaded both loose ends through the tin foil hoop.

Below is a pic of how I made the loop and threaded the ends through the metal hoop.

Now take the jute wire and wrap it around the jute rope to secure it.

Once you have the wire wrapped around and it’s looking how you want it to, cut the end with wire cutters. Push the wire into the rope coils to hide it.

You can use the glue gun to stick down any fly-away pieces of rope.

Repeat with the remaining bells. I used one coil of jute rope and one coil of jute wire for the three bells.

Finishing Up this DIY Large Vintage Bell Tutorial

Is this a project you’d try out for your Christmas shelf decor?

I like the way they turned out, but this tutorial sure had some rocky parts mostly due to the variable November weather and the fact that these are glass. And breakable! 😉

For a size reference, the large bell measured 6 inches tall, the medium bell was 4.5 inches, and the small bell was 3.5 inches tall.

The glass vases were all purchased at the Dollar Tree. The two smaller ones were $1.25 however the largest bell was $3.00. Since Dollar Tree now has some 3- and 5-dollar items.

I linked the paint and rub n’ buff in the supply list. I really like this type of spray paint because it adheres well to many surfaces and creates an even finish.

At the end of this post, I’m also going to link two other tutorials where I used the same black spray paint. These tutorials also use rub n’ buff too…Antique gold and European gold are my favorite colors!

Any questions, just post them down in the comments. And, as always, thanks so much for reading!

So, who’s up for Christmas crafting? Grab three glass vases at Dollar Tree, rope, black spray paint and rub n’ buff and craft these unique Christmas bells for your shelf decor.

Pin me on Pinterest! ⬇️