Pine cones, chicken wire and glitter makes one nice tree...

Project 1: Pine Cone Christmas Tree


Materials:

• Pine Cones - a lot... depends on the size
• Tomato cage - size will determine your tree size
• Chicken Wire or some sort of metal mesh
• Floral Wire
• White Christmas Tree Lights
• Decorations - I used glitter and silk flowers as you see
• Optional base - mine is made of press board

Steps:

• Attach the chicken wire to the tomato cage.  I needed to use a heavier wire then just floral wire to get this done.  Also watch your hands because once you cut the wire it gets a little sharp.
• There are 2 ways you can start.  You can start by stringing the lights through the wire now and then add pine cones or the other way around.  I started with the pine cones and when I do this again I would start with the lights.  Trial and error...
• Attaching the pine cones is an interesting affair.  I live in North Carolina so the pine cones down here have a little bit of bit so gloves of some sort help.  I attached them 2 different ways. I can't say that one was more effective over the other.  
• Cut a piece wire that allows you to twist it around the cone with  tails on either side.  Then twist the tails around the chicken wire.
• The other was is to cut a large piece of wire and attach one side to the chicken wire then wrap that wire around each pine cone as you go.
• I started at the bottom and worked my way up.  The top was hard to do since my arms were not long enough to reach all the way up.  I might consider starting from the top down next time.  Trial and error...
• Once all the cones are connected I used spray polyurethane all over.  I did too generous coats and let it dry for a day before I moved on.  Remember to do this in a well ventilated area!
• Now it is time to string the light if you have not already.  Just push the wires into the little open spaces that naturally occur.  I used the end of a butter knife to help this along.
• Attach to the base if you want to.  Mine is made of press board and is attached using some heavy wire.
• Now the fun part starts... DECORATE
• I used red glitter, silk flowers and holly and there is a glittery red bird at the top.  You can decorate to fit you own design.
• A hot glue gun is great tool here.  Quick and easy to attach what you want.

Things that I learned...

• I am in fact allergic to poison ivy... Make sure you look where you are collecting pine cones and wearing gloves is a good idea.  Also copious hand washing is never a bad plan...
• Between the pine cones, the wire and the poison ivy my hands took a beating so heavy duty gloves or some kind are good thing to have.
• It is easier to attach the chicken wire with another set of hands.  Chickens must be some seriously strong birds because the chicken wire is some serious wire.  There was not way that I could bend the wire in to place, hold it and wire it all by myself.  I am not strong enough nor do I have enough arms.  (Thanks Mom for the help)
• Hot Glue burns... be careful.
• It was so much easier to move the tree once there was something to grab that did not bit back.

My tree ended up being over 4 feet tall!  That includes the base but it was still a massive tree in the end.  The tomato cage is what will determine how big it is so I say start small and work your way up.  It looked great when it was done but my next one will be smaller....

Craft on my friends...