Photography by Dan Callis
A new twist on a tree
Every home thrives on decorations -- especially the ones you make yourself to complement a colour scheme or enhance the mood of a room. And the decorations can be as amazingly simple as Celia Cox's gilded lemon tree. Owner of Pavilion Flowers in Halifax, Celia created a sophisticated little conversation piece when she covered a chicken-wire cone with lemon leaves sprayed with gold paint. Although we give instructions for one size, Celia says the trees can be made in various sizes. A small tree makes a unique table-top decoration; larger trees add an elegant touch flanking the door of a covered entranceway.
Gilded lemon-leaf tree
Finished tree is approx 86 cm (34 in) tall. (See larger image.)
You need:
Approx 30 lemon-leaf branches, each having smaller branches with 4 or 5 leaves apiece (bay leaves may be substituted); available at floral supply stores
Florist's wire
Piece of chicken wire, 115 x 77 cm (45 x 30-1/4 in)
Clay flowerpot, 20.5 cm (8 in) in diameter
1/2-in dowel, 81 cm (32 in) long
Five 3/4-in nails
2 pieces straightened coat-hanger wire, each 51 cm (20 in) long
Needle-nosed pliers
Wire cutters
Drill with 1/8-in drill bit
Hammer
Gold spray paint (available at craft stores)
Plaster of paris
Carpenter's glue
Glue gun
Tissue paper
Newspaper
Plastic containers for mixing glue and plaster
Plastic sheet
Gardening gloves
Styrofoam ball, 3 to 4 in in diameter
White mini lights, optional
To make:
Note: To protect hands, wear gardening gloves when handling wire. To protect work surface, cover with plastic sheet.
1. Drill hole right through dowel 2.5 cm (1 in) from top edge, then a second hole 53.5 cm (21 in) from top edge. At right angle to second hole, drill a third hole right through dowel 54.5 cm (21-1/2 in) down from top edge. Hammer nails partway into dowel around bottom, to grip plaster.
2. Line bottom two-thirds of pot with loosely crumpled newspaper approx 2 cm (3/4 in) thick. Mix plaster according to manufacturer's instructions and fill lined pot up to edge of newspaper. Centre and push nailed dowel end into mixture. (Note: Plaster sets rapidly, so work quickly.) Allow to set overnight.
Page 1 of 2 -- Complete your gilded Christmas tree with our instructions on page 2, plus learn how to make a balloon tree for the holidays!
