When I saw this simple, yet cute dowel Christmas tree last year in Paper Crafts magazine I knew it would make a great centerpiece for hanging all kinds of symbolic ornaments at different times throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons. Ideas include Jesse Tree ornaments, O Antiphons, 12 Days ofChristmas, apples and bread for a Paradeis tree, ethnic tradition ornaments, and more. It could also be used during other seasons or times of the year as a display as well. I like that it also has the triangular shape - for the Trinity.
Materials for tree:
one 1/2 inch dowel
one 1/4 or 3/16 inch dowel
acrylic paint, brown
fluffy or fuzzy yarn, green
wood block or circle (for base)
white school glue
Drill 1/2 inch hole in center of base. Paint wooden base piece and let dry. Cut 1/2 inch dowel to an 18" length. This will be the center pole of the tree. Cut the thinner dowel into three pieces with lengths of 12 1/2", 10 1/2", & 8 1/2" respectively. In the center pole, drill small holes to fit the thin dowels at 6 /1/2", 11" and 15 1/2" from the bottom. All lengths and distances are just what we used. Different lengths could be used if you wanted a smaller or larger tree - just position and size proportionally to get the triangular effect.
Slide thinner dowels through the drilled holes, centering each. Brush white glue on the dowels and wrap yarn around. Keep yarn closely wound so the wood doesn't show through. I did center pole first, then each branch segment separately. Leave small segment at bottom of center pole dowel free of yarn so that it will fit into the base. Let glue dry. Insert tree into base and decorate.
(Bottle cap ornament idea coming soon. )
Have you explained the bottle cap ornaments anywhere?
Posted by: Jill | November 21, 2011 at 08:41 PM