Hand-Blown Glass & Shiny Brite Ornaments

There’s something truly magical about decorating a Christmas tree with hand-blown glass ornaments. The shimmer, the craftsmanship, and the way they catch the glow of the lights feel so nostalgic and so special. I started collecting Christopher Radko ornaments as a newlywed when we lived in Birmingham, Alabama. We had the best Sunday School class and were at a class party when my friend Tonia asked if I knew about Christopher Radko ornaments. I remember going to the sweetest little Christmas gift store and immediately falling in love with the beautiful glass ornaments. I actually entered a contest at that store and won! That ornament is the red, pink and orange one pictured below. Collecting glass ornaments and adding an ornament or 2 each year became a sweet tradition I looked forward to every Christmastime. As our family grew, so did our ornament collection. Slowly but surely, we filled our living room tree with color, sparkle, and memories. Now our big tree is covered in only glass ornaments and our other trees have special family and childhood ornaments we love.

I love unwrapping the special ornaments at Christmastime. Each ornament is a sweet memory. I love that some have dates on them. A few I bought at Stein Mart (RIP!). Some remind me of trips we’ve taken or holidays with little kids running around. Others take me back to our early marriage when we were living on one income and each ornament was a true splurge! Our tree filled with hand-painted glass ornaments makes me smile and I love the joy it brings to our home.

Why I Love Collecting Shiny Brite Ornaments

About five or six years ago, I bought my first box of Shiny Brite ornaments, and now I’m completely hooked. They’re whimsical, colorful, and bring so much cheer to a tree. The vintage-inspired look is perfect if you love that classic, old-fashioned Christmas feel. They mix beautifully with Radko pieces and other hand-blown glass ornaments, creating a tree that’s bright and happy. In the photo above I’m at one of my favorite stores in Austin- Breed& Co. They have everything from fine china and tabletop treasures, to beautiful Shiny Bright and Christopher Radko ornaments!

Every year I add a new set or two of Shiny Brite ornaments. The stripes, the happy colors, the reflective shine… they all make our tree sparkle. This year I bought a set when I was visiting my girls in Texas and then found some really pretty ones online as well as well.

A New Favorite: Miss Christmas Glass Ornaments

Last year I discovered Miss Christmas ornaments, and oh my goodness… they are stunning. These ornaments are also hand-blown and hand-painted, but they are a little more reasonably priced than Radko. They’re the kind of ornaments that are truly works of art and I look forward to passing them down to my daughters one day.

They blend beautifully with my Radko and Shiny Brite collections, but still have their own unique charm. If you love glass Christmas ornaments or you’re building a collection of your own, Miss Christmas is a brand worth discovering.

Creating a Tree Full of Memories

Over the years, our living room tree has become a reflection of our family — colorful, meaningful, and full of stories. From traditional hand-blown glass ornaments to cheerful Shiny Brite ornaments, and now our growing collection of Miss Christmas ornaments, each piece adds its own kind of magic.

There’s something special about decorating with pieces that hold memories, craftsmanship, and heart. Whether you’re starting your first collection or adding to a long-loved tree, choosing hand-blown glass ornaments is such a beautiful way to celebrate the season.

Thanks for following along! You can find so many of my favorite things on my LTK, Amazon Storefront and ShopyMy.

Grateful for you,

Julie

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