How to Craft a Table Top Tree for Decorating

Creating a decoration for the table top in any space can be challenging, especially if you want something that will span all the seasons and holidays. A fast and easy decoration is a table top tree. With some basic materials, you can create a versatile item that can be used as the basis for any number of themes or left plain to add natural elements to your room design. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1




Look for interesting shapes when deciding on a branch.

Cut a tree or bush branch. Look for a branch that is at least 1 inch in diameter at the thickest straight point and has many smaller branching stems coming from the main stem. The main stem should be at least 10 inches long, with the next set of branches appearing above this and continuing to the top. Branches from lilac or honeysuckle bushes work well, although many other types of trees or bushes can be used. Cut the branch at an angle for easy placement in foam.

2

Spray the branch with acrylic sealer. Allow it to dry completely. If desired, you can spray paint the branch a color to give added style to the decoration. Gold, silver and bronze paint can add a metallic sheen to the branch while white or black paint can serve as a background that emphasizes other accents placed on the branch later. Cover the branch in at least two coats of paint, allowing it to dry completely between each coat. Seal the paint with one additional coat of sealer and allow to dry before continuing.

3

Cover the branch with glue. This is an optional step but should be done at this point if desired. Once the branch is covered in glue, carefully pour glitter over the entire branch until well covered, holding it over a paper bag or box to catch the glitter as it falls. Let it dry completely and carefully tap the branch to remove any extra glitter. Using a dry paintbrush, brush any remaining loose glitter from the branch.

4

Cut a Styrofoam block with a knife to fit the inside the pot. It should rest at least 1 inch below the lip of the pot. Place the foam into the pot. Fill the space around the foam with river rocks so it is secured inside the pot.

5

Insert the branch into the Styrofoam carefully. Make sure that the bottom of the branch reaches through to the bottom of the pot. Cover the top of the foam with river rocks. The rocks will add weight to the pot to balance the height of the tree branch. Place the new "tree" on a table of your choice and decorate.