how to paint Christmas village houses?
There’s something calming and magical about Christmas village houses.
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MY OTHER PROJECTS
As a child, my favorite thing to do during the holidays was to curl up under the tree, next to my Mom’s ceramic village and while away the hours just looking and imagining.
I adore Christmas stores…especially ones with the big Department 56 layouts. I love all the intricate little details of those ceramic wonderlands.
Problem is, the price tags are enough to twist that love into loathing.
My Mom’s Christmas village was not the typical store-bought-pre-finished variety. Somehow, she won a full Currier & Ives set back in the day. She has always been amazing with a paint brush in hand, and I loved watching her work.
When I was about 8, she got me an inexpensive ceramic church from the craft store, and told me that I could start my own set, if I wanted to. Of course I did! Here’s my church, painted circa age 8…
That was the beginning. And for many years, around Thanksgiving time, I’d start to work painting a new piece for my village.
Just 17 years later (yes, that does make me 25) I now have a nice little Christmas town for my family to enjoy, at a FRACTION of the cost of a pre-painted set.
But, it is an endeavor that you will take immense pride in, when complete. And it is also a project that your family, and hopefully generations to follow, will pass down and make part of their own holiday traditions.
DIY Christmas Village Houses Supplies:
- unpainted ceramic village houses/pieces – many of ours came from R&R Ceramics, an online storefront out of Arkansas. If you’re lucky, you’ll find them at the Dollar Store or Michaels.
- acrylic paint
- detail paintbrush set(you’ll want a variety of brushes)
- acrylic spray sealer (pick a sheen and stick with it for all pieces to keep a uniform look)
I hope that you each have a blessed and wonderful holiday.
- Department 56, Dickens Village Series
- Department 56, Snow Village Series
- Department 56, North Pole Village Series
- Department 56, Disney Christmas Village
- Department 56, Peanuts Christmas Series
In My Prime Time says
So glad to find your blog – I have never met someone else
that painted villages ~ you have lovely pieces. I am inspired
to start painting again!
All the best to you, Mimi
http://inmyprimetime.blogspot.com
Heather says
So glad to meet you Mimi! Glad to know there are a few of us out there!! Looking forward to checking out your blog as well. Happy Holidays!
Carla says
I've never heard of this. What type of paint do you use? Sounds like an awesome tradition.
Heather says
Hi Carla! It's just basic, inexpensive acrylic paint. Then, you can use antiquing mediums, spray snow, matte or glossy spray finishes at the end if you choose…possibilities are endless, but all the supplies are inexpensive 🙂
Victoria says
Just stumbled across your blog via Pinterest, your little village is gorgeous!!! I wanted one for years but like you…the price was too much for us…then my husband and I found some ceramic houses several years ago at our local Big Lots for only $10 to $12 a piece. They only carried them for 2 years and we have 5 pieces total but they're really very nice, better quality than a lot of the plastic ones we've seen and they came with tree's and people. Later on I got a wine shoppe and little gazebo from Joanne's. Love yours!!!
Melissa says
I love this! My kids would go crazy for this table! So sweet!
avery street design says
Thanks so much for linking up to found & foraged!!! We are doing it early this week because InLinkz is doing maintenance tomorrow night, so I hope you'll come again and join us tonight at 8 central! These little houses are darling. I have to admit I always linger over these villages in stores, and yes, you can totally get lost in them! Adorable. 🙂 xo, Laura
Susan Clayton says
Your village is lovely. I am thinking of all the things one learns creating something special year by year….Wonderful post. I'll be including a Pick of the Week link to it on my post Scandinavian Tendencies at Eclectic Shorebird. I won't be including a picture unless you contact me and give permission. Glad to have found your lovely blog at Feathered Nest Friday.
Lilly's Mom says
What a lovely display you have made. And, I'm sure that it means so much to you with all the memories that are wrapped up in each piece. It will be a keepsake to be passed down in your family. I wish you a Merry Christmas.
Sandra says
What a lovely tradition to start with your daughter!
Tracey says
My grandma used to paint all kinds of things, but her houses were amazing. She didn’t go for the real life look, but colorful and happy. One trick she used was to put a piece of scotch tape over the windows to diffuse the light. As a stroke of brilliance, at least to us kids, she put little dots of paint on the tape for the churches to make stained glass windows. I have a few of her houses and I think I may see if the kids want to paint.
Heather says
Tracey, her village sounds wonderful! What a great idea for stained glass windows! I hope you get those pieces out and get the kids going on them. Who knows, they may love it and the tradition can continue 🙂 Happy holidays!
Amanda says
Hi! I’m so glad you posted about this, you have no idea.
My mother had a great collection of painted snow village houses she would put out at Christmas time. They were her favorite. She passed away 10 years ago and her husband threw most of her belongings away (much to my heartbreak). I’ve been searching for the houses she painted ever since. I remember she was very particular about the brand but I don’t know what it was called – but the blue church with snow on the roof that your mother painted is one she used to have!! Do you happen to know the name of that brand?
Heather says
Hi Amanda! I’m so touched to read your comment, and hear that these villages were a special part of your Christmas and your relationship with your mom, as it is very much the same for me. The little blue church is one I painted when I was around 8, but I know what the brand is, and I found one that’s available…MANY, in fact! Here’s a link to the church and other items in the set on ebay: http://bit.ly/2QBaqoY …the exact product is no longer made, but you can find whole sets of the same kind on ebay still. It’s from “Wee Crafts”. Hope that helps, and let me know!! Happy holidays!! Heather
Jasmin says
I am having the hardest time finding unpainted village houses in stores. I don’t want to order them online because I’d love to see how big they are and what the quality is like on them. Any tips on which stores might have them? I’ve checked Hobby Lobby and Michaels as well as several little artsy stores around town. Even Amazon doesn’t have much!
Heather says
I feel your pain Jasmin!! I was in the same boat for a while. The best places I’ve found are the following:
1. eBay…here’s a link to the search I just did for the brand that many of our village pieces are from: http://bit.ly/2Ch2rZw
2. a family owned store in Arkansas that I found online, and their selection is AMAZING. Now, it IS online, but all the sizing is listed there: https://www.bisqueceramics.com/
Good luck, and let me know if you find pieces you love!! Heather