DIY Tinsel Trees

Here is a great project to create for any time of the year, holiday, or party. You can use wire party tinsel or wire paper party garland to create this. The possibilities are endless. Trees are always great ways to jazz up a space or use as a display.

Materials:    

•     Craft wooden dowel
•     Foil pan
•     Tinsel wired party garland
•     Chlorine bleach
•     Glass bowl large
•     Glue
•     Glue gun
•     Hair dryer
•     Large metal spoon
•     Old towel
•     Paper towels
•     Plastic table cover
•     Rubber gloves
•     Scissors
•     Rit Dye Colors Used: Petal Pink

Directions:

Directions To Make The Trees:  

1. Cut 9 pieces from the tinsel wired garland measuring these dimensions: 3 pieces at 6 1/2 inches, 3 pieces at 4 1/2 inches, 2 pieces at 3 inches and one at 6 inches.
2. On a craft wooden dowel, measure 2 inches from one end, mark in place with a pencil or pen.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3.  Now wrap one of the 6 1/2 inch cut tinsel wire garland pieces around the craft wooden dowel at the 2inch mark. Repeat for the next 2 pieces of 6 1/2 inch cut tinsel wire garland pieces. Secure in place with hot glue. ( See pictures for guide )
4. Measure an inch from the wrapped garland and mark with pencil. Begin wrapping the next set of cut tinsel garland pieces that measured 4 1/2 inches in the same way you wrapped the other pieces. Secure in place with hot glue.
   
5. For the last piece that measures 6 inches, wrap 2 times around the top, secure with hot glue and pull straight up to finish the tree.

Directions For The Dying Tree: 

1. Prep your surface. Lay plastic table cover or large old towel on the surface you will working over. Put on your rubber or latex gloves.
2. Mix 2 teaspoons petal pink Rit liquid dye with 1 Cup hot water in a large glass or metal bowl. For good hot water, heat some in the microwave for 2 minutes. Let sit for 1/2 hour.

 Tips/Tricks: 

-Use a hair dryer or heat gun to speed up the drying process 

-You can dye the cut pieces of wire tinsel garland first before you wrap them around the dowel.

-Try wire paper garland in place of wire tinsel garland. If using the paper garland, reduce the amount  of dye time. 

-Mix Rit dyes for more color choices. Pour dye solution into a spray bottle for more fun effects.

  For more project photos visit the Rit Dye Studio under my project studio at: http://www.ritstudio.com/2013/12/30/diy-tinsel-trees/