For Baby Boomers like me Shiny Brite ornaments have an almost iconic place in our memories of Christmas. They came in many shapes and colors and were some of the first mass-produced Christmas ornaments. They were also the first widespread ornaments made in the US instead of in Europe.
The colors practically scream mid-Century modern and people love them so much the vintage ones are often available on eBay and Christopher Radko has bought the trademark and has been making reproductions for the last 15 years.
Most of the time if you think of the finishes on ornaments, you think of all metallics of or metallic on non-metallic. Thinking about this made me realize what makes Shiny Brite so distinctive — they are, most often, matte colors on a clear or metallic base.
One of the most iconic designs has stripes in different, usually milky, pastels on wither clear or metallic balls. The balls can be different colors including red, aqua, pink, green, and silver. The clear balls were often clear or red glass. Stripes could be white, yellow, pale blue, aqua, or pink.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized these ornaments are a fantastic jumping off point for learning stitches. Depending on the ornament, two or more stitches can be used. They a;lso make a great way to use up threads.
Designs like this also give you a great way to practice a new stitch. In fact that’s what prompted this design. I want to use Alternating Double Nobuko for ice in my polar bear cub picture. But the combination of a stitch I have failed at and a thread I use rarely (Water n’Ice) had me concerned. Shiny Bite to the rescue! I’m getting comfortable with the thread while seeing if my idea works.
This is the prototype for a new monthly club that will start in January. The designs will all teach stitches and will use these ornaments as their starting points.Sign-ups for the club will start next month. There will be both annual and monthly options.
The colors you use will be up to you. But I can suggest threads. For the balls use Soft Sheen Fyre Werks for the metallic balls or Flair and Water n’Ice for the clear balls. The stripes should be in solid threads such as silk or cotton floss, Pepperpot Silk or Baroque Silk. You will not need to follow my color suggestions.
My current plan is to make them all 3″ or 4″ balls, but I might add different shapes. I Like the balls because they are easy to finish.
If there are stitches that have stymied you, just add a comment below and I’ll try to add them to the collection.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
Mary Cline-Buso says
Janet: This sounds like a wonderful idea/club. Our family tree is largely made up of homemade ornaments and how incredible it would be to have some “Shiny Brite” ornaments on there to remind my husband and I of our childhood. I can’t wait to sign up.
Janet M Perry says
Me too. I just love the colors!
Keep stitching,
Janet