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/

Tinsel Wonderland, Part One the Set up!

Welcome to the beginning of Tinsel Wonderland, an art workshop I hosted at the fabulous: Mill Antiques http://www.millantiques.com/ in Historic Lafayette, NJ. A day of magical fun and treasure hunting to be had by all who attended. Set up began weeks in advance by gathering trees, art supplies/goodies, serving platters, trays, party favors/goodie bags, glitter and more. I began cooking 2 days in advance and made my famous cupcakes the night before, they are always a hit, real moist, vanilla and creamy not too sweet and not bitter, buttercream frosting, I'll post the recipe soon.Sharon and Joe at the Mill let me come in Friday to set up, when I arrived they already had the tables and chairs set, that was where the fun began. The workshop was set up in the most magical Christmas room, filled w/pink trees, green trees, classics, vintage holiday treasures all around. My trees would fit perfectly in here.
Not to mention in between setting up I was treasure hunting looking at goodies I wanted to buy, and boy did I, and so did the girls who attended, lol.

After setting up, Mom and I grabbed a late lunch at the Millside Cafe, and headed home.

I then headed over to the market for fresh English Cucumber and dill for the tea sandwiches, breads, cheeses and italian specialties, the ran to get goodie bags for the goodies, and was stuck in traffic for the our towns Christmas tree lighting and festivities, rushing home to meet my weekend guest, the amazing Gina Smith, my dear friend, we have been friends for years, but finaly after all the emails, phone conversations, swaps, we finally met, lol. It was like we met hundered times before.

Let's just say Gina spoiled us beyond words, she arrived w/dessert wine, gourmet cupcakes from yo-cakes, and loads of gifts, I mean it was like Christmas when she arrived. She helped me with the food platters and food set up for the next day: Tinsel Wonderland! My Goodies From Gina!Stay tuned for the next two parts in this incredible adventure, not to mention a visit to the attendees blogs and sites.


Magic, Hugs and Tinsel, Joy
Lisa!


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