How to Make a Cute Snowman Sign Using a Dollar Tree Background, Macramé Cording, and a 3D Hat

If you love winter décor with texture, dimension, and a little personality, this snowman sign checks all the boxes. This project starts with an inexpensive Dollar Tree background and builds layers using wood circles, macramé-style texture, felt details, and a three-dimensional hat that really brings him to life.

Supplies Used

• Dollar Tree wood background/sign
• Waverly Antiquing Glaze
• White paint
• Paintbrush or toothbrush (for flicking)
• Thin wood circles (two different sizes)
• Hot glue gun
• Wood glue and/or tacky glue
  
• Fleece (for scarf)
• Macramé cording for body and face
• Black buttons (eyes)
• Brown buttons (body)
• Black felt
• Orange felt
• 3-inch snowman hat (cut in half)
• Greenery and small florals (for hat embellishment)
  
• Small letter tiles (mine came from Dollar General)

Step 1: Prepare the Dollar Tree Background

Start by staining your Dollar Tree background using Waverly Antiquing Glaze. I like to apply with a baby wipe to highlight the wood grain while keeping a soft, weathered look. 

Once dry, load a small amount of white paint onto a brush or toothbrush and use the flicking method to splatter paint across the surface. This adds a subtle snowy effect and gives the background instant winter charm. Set aside to dry completely.

Step 2: Create the Snowman Texture with Wood Circles

For the snowman’s head and body, I used two sizes of thin wood circles. I painted them white just in case any would show through after the next step.

Starting at the center of each circle, begin hot gluing concentric circles of macramé-style cording outward.

Continue working your way around until you reach the outer edge of each wood round.

Repeat this process for both the head and body pieces. This technique adds beautiful texture and dimension while keeping the design cohesive.

 

Step 3: Position and Secure the Snowman Shape

Lay the two completed circles onto your background to create the snowman’s head and body. Once you’re happy with the placement:

• Apply wood glue for structure and more permanent hold
• Add a small amount of hot glue for immediate hold
• Press the pieces into place and allow them to set.

Step 4: Add the Scarf (and Hide the Seam)

Cut about a 1-inch-wide strip of black and white fleece. Wrap it around the neck area where the head and body meet.

This not only adds cozy charm but also cleverly hides the seam where the two circles touch. Once positioned the way you like, hot glue the fleece in place.

Step 5: Create the 3D Hat and Add the Face and Details

For the hat, I repurposed a 3-inch snowman hat from a previous project.

• Cut the hat in half
• Glue it directly onto the snowman’s head for a three-dimensional effect (I used hot glue)
• To finish it off, embellish the brim with greenery and small florals, adding color, texture, and a touch of whimsy. I even added a black and white gingham bow on the hat brim and then took some paint and dabbed it on to look like snow.

 

Now comes the personality!

Use two black buttons for the eyes. Add tiny black felt cutouts to enhance the eye detail. Cut a small orange felt triangle for the nose...Cut a black felt mouth and glue it into place.

For the body, glue on two brown buttons, positioning them so they slightly cover where the concentric circles begin. This keeps the look clean and intentional.

Step 6: Add the Wire and Lettering

I decided it would be a hanging sign, so I drilled two holes, and added some wire, using a thick pencil to curl the wire enough to keep from coming back through the holes. I also wanted some curly loops across the peek of the wire. Finally, I had some room at the top and wanted to name him Frosty, so I used letter tiles from Dollar General glued on with wood/super glue. Some natural small snowflakes were the final finishing touch. Simply scrape away the excess glue that seeps out from under the letters.

The Finished Look

This snowman sign is full of character...layered, textured, and perfectly imperfect in the best handmade way. Using an inexpensive Dollar Tree base makes it budget-friendly, while the macramé-style circles and dimensional hat elevate the design into something truly special.

If you try this project, I’d love to see your version! Every snowman ends up with a personality all its own! Please come back and share on a Maker's Monday post!

If you'd like to watch the REEL of me creating this little snowman, you can do so HERE!

If you love this project, would you pass it along by pinning the pin I created below? It would mean so much to me! #CreateInspireBeWell