Spice Up Jingle Bells with Cinnamon and Mod Podge

   

Craft Supplies:

 

• Small paint brush
• Zinc acrylic paint or black spray paint
• Foam Brush or paint brush
• Metal bells — different sizes
• Craft paper or newspaper
• Paper plate, paper bowl, or plastic container

 

 

Step 1: Enhance the Bells with a Quick Zinc Paint Trick

  The first thing I did was apply a little bit of zinc craft paint to the metal bells. This step is optional, but I highly recommend taking the time to add the paint. It’s a good idea because it adds more depth and dimension. Giving the bells a truly vintage look. I placed the bells in an empty egg carton to dry, which takes about five minutes. Cindy’s Helpful Tips: You can get this same look using a plastic bell from Dollar Tree or any craft store. For a plastic bell, paint it first with acrylic paint or spray paint, then apply a thin coat of Mod Podge before adding cinnamon. I always recommend taking the time to use acrylic paint; it’s a good idea to layer colors and textures. This adds a more authentic aged finish. This simple step makes a big difference when aging anything from bells to signs or even furniture pieces.    

Step 2: Quick Sanding for a Vintage Appearance

The next step is to use a light-grit sanding sponge. Gently sand the metal bells. This only takes a few minutes and really enhances the vintage appearance of your rusty bells.    

Step 3: Easy Mod Podge and Cinnamon Rusting Technique

  Add cinnamon to a plastic container or paper bowl. Using a foam brush or paint brush, apply a thin coat of matte Mod Podge to each bell. Dip the metal bells, one section at a time, into the bowl of cinnamon. Shake off the excess cinnamon and set it aside to dry. Repeat this process for all your bells. I like to work in sections because real rust develops unevenly, giving that perfect aged finish. If you want your rusty bells to have a deeper, fully rusted look, dip half the bell into the bowl of cinnamon or sprinkle it over the Mod Podge. Just remember to shake off any excess cinnamon for the best result. Cindy’s Helpful Tip: After creating a rusty appearance on your bells, I love adding a bit of paint and light sanding. Layering adds depth and gives these rusty bells a more realistic vintage look, just like something you’d find at a thrift store or garage sale.        

 

Step 4: Mod Podge Magic – Create Vintage-Looking Jingle Bells

  Once the cinnamon is dry, brush on another thin coat of matte Mod Podge and let the magic of your rusty jingle bells
appear. This is such an easy way to get that vintage look without any additional cost. It’s quick, fun, and adds the perfect touch of rusty bells to your Christmas decor. The next time I made this project, I tried smaller rusty jingle bells using just one coat of matte Mod Podge and cinnamon. I made sure to shake off any excess cinnamon for a lighter, more natural finish. Cindy’s Helpful Tip: For a few of my rusty jingle bells, I sprinkled on a bit of cinnamon and then added a thin coat of Mod Podge to certain spots. This gave the metal bells a thicker, more textured rusty appearance that looks wonderfully aged and authentic.           Happy Crafting!