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DIY Projects & Crafts with Fasteners

DIY Fender Washer Peppermint Ornament

Watch How It's Made

Printable Instructions

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DIY Peppermint Washer Ornament
Difficulty Level

Easy

Time Required

40 Minutes (plus drying time)

Cost

Under $10

Age

8+ with adult supervision

Safety First!

  • Adult supervision required for painting
  • Keep small parts away from children under 3
  • Work in a well-ventilated area
  • Wear gloves when handling paint

Materials Needed

Hardware: 

  • 1-1/2" OD Fender Washers

Paint Supplies:

  • White acrylic paint
  • Red acrylic paint
  • Paint brushes

Ribbons:

  • Red wire ribbon
  • 1/4" white ribbon
  • Additional ribbon for hanging (your choice)

Tools:

  • Scissors
  • Pencil (optional for marking stripes)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Paint Base Coat

Apply 2-3 coats of white paint to the fender washer, allowing each coat to dry completely.

Pro Tip: Light, even coats will give you better coverage than one thick coat and prevent drips.
Step 2: Create Stripes

Paint alternating red stripes around the washer. You can freehand these for a handcrafted look, or use a pencil to mark guidelines first.

Pro Tip: For perfectly spaced stripes, divide your washer into 8 equal sections before painting.
Step 3: Add Wrapper Effect
Once paint is completely dry, tie white ribbon around the inside to the outside on both sides of the washer. Add a 3-inch piece of red wire ribbon in the middle on each side.
Step 4: Style the Ribbons
  • Fluff out the ends of the red wire ribbon
  • Cut the ends in a zigzag pattern to create a candy wrapper effect
  • Use the sharp side of open scissors to curl the white ribbon ends
Step 5: Add Hanging Loop
Tie your chosen ribbon to the top of the ornament for hanging.

Creative Variations

Color Options: 

  • Green and white for a mint candy look
  • Blue and white for a winter theme
  • Pink and white for sweet peppermint

Pattern Ideas: 

  • Spiral Patern instead of stripes
  • Dots or swirls for unique candy designs
  • Metallic Paint accents for extra sparkle

Ribbon Variations: 

  • Use glitter ribbon for extra shine
  • Try different widths of ribbon for varied effects
  • Mix multiple ribbon colors for a more festive look

Display Ideas: 

  • Create sets with varying sizes of washers
  • Use as gift packaging decorations
  • String multiple ornaments together for a candy garland

Pro Tips:

  • Paint the edges of the washer first, then work on the flat surfaces
  • Use a hair dryer on low heat to speed up drying time between coats
  • Keep ribbon tails equal lengths for balanced appearance
  • Make several at once while your paint is out