The Secret to the Sparkle: How (and Why) We Glitter Our Christmas Yard Art
Why I’m Sharing the Secret
I’m sharing this perfected process with you because, after 30 years of trial and error, I want you to get that exact same "wow" factor we get in the shop every time the sun hits a finished piece. There’s a certain kind of magic when that sparkle finally catches the light, and I want you to feel that same sense of pride when you step back and look at your yard.
The Story: Solving a Quality Crisis in 1996
We started glittering our Christmas pieces around 1996, and it only happened because we ran into a problem. We noticed that some of our painted yard art signs looked and felt very rough on the face. We went down a deep "rabbit hole" with the retail stores and the manufacturers, only for them to finally admit the product was inferior.
Since we already had many signs made—I’m talking 35 to 40 pieces I had spent hours painting—I went into a bit of a panic mode. Bruce said, "Get in the van"—I remember vividly we were driving a blue and gray Ford Aerostar minivan at the time—and we headed to Garden Ridge Pottery. I resisted; I didn't want to throw good money at a bad problem. But I’ve learned over the years not to doubt Bruce when he is in "creating a solution" mode.
Inside the store, he started putting clear craft glitter in the basket. The idea was simple: if we incorporate glitter (which has a natural texture), then any roughness on the face of the sign seems appropriate while sealing the wood to keep it from deteriorating.
The Mary Motto: "Just because someone is jerking my chain—does not give me the right to jerk someone else’s chain." Even if a vendor drops the ball on quality, you still have to find a way to make your product a quality product for your customers.
The Tutorial: Mary’s Glitter Sandwich Process
I’ve shared a video of this process below so you can see exactly how I do it, but I figured I’d also write out the secret here! This is the exact method we use for every finished piece that leaves our shop.
The Supplies
-
The Polyurethane: I use Varathane Pro Finisher Crystal Clear Gloss (approx. $60/gallon at Home Depot). It’s actually a floor finisher, which is why it’s so durable. You must use "Crystal Clear Gloss"—anything else will look dull.
-
The Glitter: A mix of 3 parts Clear Craft Glitter to 1 part Silver Craft Glitter.
-
The Roller: A 6” thin-napped roller (1/4” nap).
The Step-by-Step
-
Prep: Place the sign on a flat, level surface and ensure it's free of dust.
-
The Cross-Hatch Coat: Roll the poly onto the dry sign using a "cross-hatch" motion—up and down, then back and forth.
-
The Shake: While the poly is still wet, shake the glitter on from about a foot or two above the sign.
-
The First Dry: Let it dry in the sun (about 45 minutes) or inside under a box fan.
-
The Sandwich Coat: Once dry, roll another layer of the same poly right on top. This seals the glitter in so it's not coming off when you handle it.
Watch the Process
Why We Still Do It
We continue to glitter our Christmas signs because we love that glossy, sparkly look. While solving problems can be stressful, you just have to keep trying until you find the solution. Whether you’re using our yard art patterns or buying a finished piece, we want to make sure the magic lasts.
Happy Crafting!
Mary