How To Age Shiny Gold Jingle Bells

If you saw my post last week (the post below this one) you might have seen the bunch of jingle bells that I hung in the draped part of the pine garland. 

The bells were a bonus item that were part of a sparse garland I bought at the thrift store to take apart and use the individual branches. I removed the bells as well and decided to use them. But, they were much too shiny as they were so I aged them to give the jingle bells a more vintage look.

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After removing the bells, I put them in a plastic produce container (reduce, reuse, recycle) and dabbed black paint on them with a stiff bristled brush. This may be noisy and may annoy your significant other if you are dabbing the paint in the the vicinity of their football watching 😁

When the black was dry, I then dabbed antique gold rub-n-buff (BUY HERE) in the same manner as the black paint. 

I then cut different lengths (10-15 inches) of red velvet ribbon. Be sure to cut a sharp angle on one end to thread the bells onto the ribbon. I sat under a cozy blanket and threaded the bells onto the ribbons, putting two to four bells on each ribbon. I tied a single knot at each bell. If I did it again, I would make sure that I am placing the bells at different intervals on each ribbon.

Tie a knot on the end bell and cut the tail the length you like.

I held up the strings, trying to adjust the bells so they hang at different lengths, and then wrapped 22 gauge wire around the top, using plyers to crimp the wire so that it held well. I trimmed the ribbon ends and then added a wire loop for hanging.

I simple hung them on a nail from the top shelf and incorporated them into the pine garland.

It is a large bunch of bells, I liked the fullness of it. A few strands of antiqued jingle bells would look good hanging down into the middle of a wreath. If you have ever priced authentic, vintage sleigh bells, you will know what an inexpensive alternative this is. I love how they really look authentically old.