I was looking at my Christmas tree ornaments and I started wondering how glass ornaments are actually made. Some are very delicate and shiny while others have glitter or painted designs. I know they are traditional but I do not understand the process. Do they blow the glass by hand or is it done by machines. How do they get the shiny metallic colors inside. I also wonder how fragile they are compared to plastic ornaments. I want to understand the craft behind these decorations. Has anyone here learned about how glass Christmas ornaments are made. 
Traditional glass ornaments are made by glassblowing. Craftsmen heat glass tubes until they are soft and then blow air into them to form a round shape. After that the inside is coated with silver nitrate to give the shiny look. Finally they are painted and decorated.
Plastic ornaments are usually made by injection molding but glass ones are different. They are blown by hand or machine and then coated with metallic solution. The shiny colors come from lacquer or paint. Glitter is added by adhesive. It is a careful process.
I visited a factory once where they made ornaments. The glass ones were still blown by hand. Workers shaped them carefully and then dipped them in metallic solution. It was fascinating to see the skill involved. Each ornament was slightly unique.
Thank you I will try that!
The shiny colors on ornaments are usually from lacquer or metallic paint. Some are sprayed while others are dipped. Glitter is added by applying adhesive and rolling the ornament in glitter. That is why they sparkle under the lights.
Glass ornaments are fragile because they are thin. The glass is stretched when blown. That makes them light but easy to break. Plastic ornaments are thicker and safer for families with children or pets.
Some ornaments are made with a combination of materials. For example a plastic ball might be coated with glass powder to give a shiny look. Others mix wood and metal. The variety is endless and that is why ornaments are so interesting.
Handmade ornaments can be made from many materials but glass ones are the most traditional. They carry history and craftsmanship. Even though they are fragile they are cherished. People keep them for years.
That is a great point I did not think of that before.
I think ornaments are made both by hand and machine depending on the type. Glass ones often involve craftsmanship while plastic ones are industrial. It is a mix of tradition and modern production methods.
The silvering process inside ornaments is what gives them shine. It is a chemical reaction that coats the inside. Without it the glass would look plain. It is an important step in making them festive.
I think learning about how ornaments are made makes you appreciate them more. They are not just decorations but pieces of art. The process is delicate and creative.