There are many ways to create a unique atmosphere of celebration and comfort, not least of which is decorative wood, which you can make with your own hands from various materials.
Photo example:
A skillfully created miracle tree will be a wonderful gift for any occasion.
The variety of materials for “trees of happiness,” as such crafts are also called, is limitless: scraps of fabric, corrugated paper, beads, lace, napkins, buttons, seeds and grains, shells, pebbles - everything that has been lying idle for years in forgotten boxes. 
Recently, the popular name “tree of happiness” has been replaced by a fashionable European one – topiary. Since ancient times, this word has been used to describe the art of creating sculptures from living plants: dense evergreen trees and shrubs, in the process of topiary, were transformed into sculptural images or took on the most bizarre forms.
You can learn how to make topiary even at home - it’s not difficult and fun. It takes a lot of imagination and a little perseverance.
Basic elements of ornamental trees
All decorative tree crafts have three main elements:
- The basis. In the final version, the base is the crown of the tree. In most cases, the base is spherical in shape. But if the topiary is made for a special occasion, then you can give the crown the shape of a heart, number or letter.
For a spherical base, tightly crumpled newspaper or other unnecessary paper is often used, tied with thread and coated with paste.
For the shaped base, polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam, and a papier-mâché mold are used.
- Trunk. Any suitable material is used as a trunk for the “tree of happiness”: a knitting needle, rigid wire, wooden skewers, elements of some kind of structure suitable in shape.
You can also use natural sticks and tree branches. But they are first prepared: after freeing them from the bark, the branch must be washed and coated with varnish or stain.
- Pot or stand. Topiaries look more impressive if their crown diameter is larger than the diameter of the pot. It is difficult to choose a ready-made pot that fully corresponds to the idea of a decorative tree. It’s easier to take any inexpensive pot that is suitable in size and decorate it with existing materials: cover it with fabric, paint it, paste it with decorative elements, tie it with a rope. The crown, trunk and pot must form a single stylistic whole.
Depending on the idea of the decorative tree and the method of its manufacture, you may need:
- glue (superglue, liquid nails, hot glue)
- cement (gypsum, sand, alabaster) to weigh down the base and securely fix the trunk in the pot
- decorative elements: ribbons, cones, shells of various nuts, dried flowers - everything you need to realize a specific plan.
Step-by-step master class on making topiary
To make a topiary with your own hands, first of all prepare the basic elements:
- The trunk, if it is not a natural branch, is wrapped with satin or other ribbons, twine, covered with fabric, and covered with materials selected for this composition. If the barrel consists of several elements, for example, several thin knitting needles or kebab skewers, you must first tighten them with electrical tape.
- You need to think about how to fix the tree in a pot and prepare all the necessary materials. When using a flower pot with drainage holes, it is important to seal them first. If the pot or bucket is heavy enough so that the crown does not outweigh the base, then foam plastic, pieces of polystyrene foam, or even polyurethane foam are sufficient for fixation.
The trunk in such a pot is placed in the center, sunk to the ground, burst with prepared materials and filled with polyurethane foam or alabaster in the consistency of sour cream.
To weight the pot, use cement mortar with sand: placing the trunk in the center and fixing it, pour cement into the pot and leave to harden. A tree on such a base will stand securely.
- The finished base is put on a firmly fixed trunk, or the trunk is fixed with the base already put on.
If the base for the tree crown is made in the form of any figure, for reliability it should be secured with glue.
The “skeleton” of the tree is ready – you can decorate it.
The near-trunk space of the pot can be decorated with pebbles, shells, and covered with floral mesh or fabric.
The pot itself can be covered with fabric to make a beautiful paper “wrapper”.
The crown can be attached to the base using glue, flowers can be pinned with wire, or placed on wooden skewers.
Popular ideas for decorative trees
By deciding to master the topiary technique, you can get rid of eternal thoughts about how to make an original gift for a holiday or family celebration.
A few traditional ideas and photos:
- A crown of paper flowers with a pinned butterfly and artificial grass or moss around the trunk in winter will remind you of summer.
- A tree of happiness with banknotes is an original gift for a wedding or housewarming.
- A topiary made of pink or blue ribbons will be a welcome souvenir for the birth of a child.
- The New Year's version of the tree is pine branches and cones, silvered with artificial snow.
- A topiary made from fresh fruit is short-lived, but original and practical, decorating the dining room or kitchen.
It can be called an excellent decorative element for any room.
Making an ever-blooming tree
If you decide to make a tree with your own hands from tree branches, then you can take a flowering composition as a basis. In addition to the main named element, you will need a knitting needle, plaster, corrugated paper, super glue, a pot, and also an object whose shape resembles a sphere. A knitting needle is useful for winding flowers.
Work technology
If you decide to do this, first you need to prepare corrugated paper, from which several strips are made. Their width will determine the size of the flowers. The article discusses an example that involves the use of strips of different widths. In this case, it varies from 1 to 2 cm. Instead of white corrugated paper, you can use papyrus or ordinary table napkins. First you need to cut blanks for making leaves, which will initially have a square shape. Each element will have sides equal to 4 centimeters. At the next stage, you can start making flowers. It is recommended to add a certain amount of glue after each crease, which will strengthen the flower. This is especially required for the central part.
When you make a tree with your own hands from tree branches, you can bend each strip 90 degrees, but if you wish, you can experiment; different bending angles will determine the shape of the flower. This indicates that the process can produce flowers not only of different shapes, but also of different sizes.
Making the base
When you make a tree with your own hands from tree branches, the flowers obtained at the previous stage can be fixed on the branches with glue, decorating everything with prepared petals. As an alternative solution, the roses can be attached to a ball. It, in turn, can be glued to a natural branch. The ball can be made from ordinary threads twisted into a ball. After the ball can be fixed on the branch, which can be done with super glue and tape, you can begin to attach the roses to the ball. Once all the elements are strengthened, you can add a number of leaves, which are strengthened in random order. Now the tree needs to be planted in a pot, which is often replaced with an old cup. Lastly, you need to fill in the plaster, and then dilute everything with water.
It is important to achieve a thick composition. At the next stage, the resulting tree can be planted in the prepared mixture. It is better to place the entire structure against the wall to provide support. It is important to prevent the tree from falling until the plaster dries. Before you make a tree with your own hands, you might want to think about how you will cover the hardened plaster. It may be green fiber. Another solution involves the use of acrylic paint to decorate the surface. You can decorate the branches with thin ribbons of any color, but those with a green tint will look most harmonious.
Making a tree from fabric flowers
If you are thinking about how to make a tree with your own hands, then you can use several other materials, including fabric. The main components are still branches. Among other things, you need to prepare a bamboo stick, the height of which is 20 cm, as well as a pot, some fabric, chalk, scissors, buttons and some sponge, moss, glue and padding polyester.
Manipulations for making wood
If you decide to make a tree with your own hands, the master class presented in the article will allow you to carry out this work quite simply. At the first stage, you need to prepare the fabric from which the elements in the form of circles are cut. In order to carry out this work as simply as possible, you can use a regular glass or a jar lid for marking. The circles are stuffed with padding polyester and then sewn together. A bamboo stick or tree branch can be partially wrapped with green tape, which is secured with glue. A bamboo stick is placed in the prepared pot. The moss needs to be laid on the surface, fixed with glue, and then the flower is glued to the improvised trunk.
If you want to make a tree from leaves with your own hands, then you can additionally strengthen these elements with glue. However, it is worth remembering that such a composition is very fragile. It is not worth installing it in a nursery, for example. If you wish, you can decorate the pot with various elements, including buttons.
Making coffee tree
You can make your own baby tree from coffee beans. This design will decorate the room, and the child will be able to help you during the work process. For manipulation, a ball is useful, which is recommended to be made of polystyrene foam. Stock up on super glue, brown thread, PVA glue, and a fairly thick tree branch. You will need coffee beans, a pot and plaster of Paris.
First you will need to prepare a foam ball, which is wrapped with thread. This will allow the coffee beans to be firmly attached to the surface. The ends of the threads are fixed with the same glue. It is important at this stage to note where the trunk will be located. A small hole with a diameter of 1 cm is left in this area. There is no need to glue grains and threads into this area.
If you decide to make a tree from leaves with your own hands, then this composition can be decorated with the mentioned elements, which are pre-dried. They can be varnished to prevent them from falling off when accidentally touched. Now the grains are glued to the surface of the ball; it is best to use PVA glue for this. It is advisable to apply the composition to a small area, and then glue the grains. When applying the elements, you need to press them a little. After the first layer of grains has been glued, the structure should be left for about half an hour until it dries. After this, the master can begin to glue the second layer of grains.
Final works
You need to install a tree branch in the intended place, sealing the remaining space with grains. For greater effect, you can use a glass cup with plaster poured into the bottom. To give it the appropriate color, you need to add coffee grounds to the composition. After this, the tree is installed in the mixture, the structure is leaned against the wall and left to dry completely. After this, you can add hazelnuts to the cup, decorating the trunk with ribbon.
They can be made by any home craftsman with their own hands. However, this may require special tools. It will be much easier to use branches prepared in advance. If you plan to make woodwork with your own hands at home, then you may need a special knife. However, it is recommended to choose soft wood species for this.
Externally, it will be practically no different from a living tree. But the advantages and benefits of an artificial tree are immeasurably greater: it does not require cultivation for many years, it does not require watering or special care.
You can decorate bonsai with such bonsai in places in the room that are far from light. The most important thing is that this pleasure does not cost crazy people.
Start creating a man-made masterpiece by finding suitable driftwood or. They can be found in the forest or in. Do not pay attention to the fact that the driftwood has minor defects; they can be eliminated during the manufacturing process of the artificial tree. So, we have selected the material for the bonsai trunk.
You should also stock up on green branches of coniferous trees. Pine, juniper, spruce are suitable. We cannot do without moss in our creativity. Moss moss is best suited. Now that the material for the wood has been selected, you can begin the conservation stage. Preservation is necessary so that the needles do not fall off when drying out, but remain in their original form for several years. Preservation will also help preserve the bright green color of the needles.
For chemical preservation, it is necessary to prepare a solution of denatured alcohol, acetone and glycerin in a ratio of 1:1:2. The solution should be stored in a tightly closed jar, as it is strong.
Wash the plant branches you collected thoroughly in water to remove dirt. Then place them in the solution for at least a week. The branches should be completely covered with the solution, and not float on its surface. At the end of treatment, rinse the plants in water. Keep in mind that with such chemical treatment, not only preservation occurs, but also bleaching of plants. In the future, the branches are subject to painting.
Treated and washed branches should be hung on the balcony (or attic) and dried for at least a week. Glycerin makes plant branches elastic and prevents needles from falling off. Dried branches can be painted.
Use oil paints, diluting them with drying oil, turpentine or acetone. It is more convenient to process pine needles using a brush or spray bottle. To ensure that the paint applies evenly, first dip the branches in hot paraffin. Paint should only be applied to needles.
In addition to branches, driftwood and dried moss, we also need glue and wire. Installing bonsai requires some skill and patience. As a result, we should get a composition that is as similar as possible to a living tree.
Cut the branches to length and glue them to the tree trunk, the role of which will be played by the snag. Use wire for fastening. Later, when the glue dries, it will need to be removed. Places that have been treated should be decorated with moss. When installing your artificial tree, keep in mind that the center of gravity of the composition should allow it to be stable in its place.
If you have been careful and patient, you will soon see a composition very similar to a living tree, capable of maintaining its shape for several years. All you have to do is blow the dust off your creation from time to time.
note
But caring for a real bonsai is difficult and painstaking, while an artificial bonsai requires almost no maintenance. Unless you periodically wipe the bonsai from dust - that’s all bonsai care is. Of course, you can make an artificial bonsai with your own hands using a bonsai master class. But this is difficult, because artificial bonsai requires special materials.
Helpful advice
Your home business for growing and selling bonsai! If you are not burdened with money and have creative potential, and your head and hands grow from the right places, then you simply need this book! I propose to learn how to grow and make artificial bonsai with your own hands. We will teach you bonsai technology, how to grow bonsai with your own hands. You will learn what care is needed for bonsai. You won't need to look for where to buy bonsai, you will sell them!
Related article
Sources:
- How to make bonsai with your own hands
- DIY artificial bonsai
The art of growing decorative bonsai trees increases the number of its fans and followers every year. If you decide to try your hand at growing and creating bonsai, then these instructions will help you understand the intricacies and tell you where to start.
Instructions
Choose a suitable container. To maintain a presentable appearance, it is best to choose a bonsai that is no less beautiful and fits into the “entourage”. You can make it yourself or buy it at a flower shop. Make sure it is deep enough and has large holes to drain water. If your bonsai has a small lawn, water will need to be used a lot and often, so good drainage is very important.
Did you know that decorative trees of “natural origin” may not always be appropriate in the home? This applies to both large private properties and small apartments. For example, instead of evergreen shrubs or dwarf trees in the garden, you can build several large “century-old” artificial ornamental trees, which will then be used both as architectural garden decoration and as supports for vertical gardening.
Incredibly, this tree is not realFor example, you can order it from frame polymer concrete. Today there are companies specializing in creating such trees - strong, tall, and capable of supporting the weight of natural plants. Weaving or climbing perennials will look especially impressive on their trunks.
Such ornamental trees are good for private areas; But what should the “unfortunate” owners of apartments who do not yet have their own plot of land do? There is always a solution: today you can “grow” a tree even in your small kitchen!
DIY coffee tree
If you want to somehow diversify your interior (especially caring housewives strive for this), then you can try to make a decorative tree with your own hands - in this case, there is no special waste, and you are guaranteed pleasure from the process and the final result!
So, how to make a decorative tree at home? To create a coffee tree you need the following materials:
- tree branch (any);
- yarn and regular sewing threads in green or yellow;
- balloon;
- bean grains;
- silicate glue (ordinary stationery glue can be used, but not PVA);
- glue gun;
- tube of Moment glue;
- flower pot or flowerpot;
- a handful of small stones.
All is ready? Then go ahead!
Frame
The balloon needs to be inflated and secured with thread, and then wrapped with yarn (remember how our mothers and grandmothers used to make decorative lampshades for lamps?). In principle, you can take any yarn, as well as its color - but preferably darker, so that the color of the “wood” does not contrast with the color of the “coffee beans”. You should try to wind the yarn as tightly as possible - you will subsequently have to glue the “grains” onto this frame, so it must be strong enough.
Birch in autumn, height 43–44 cm After winding the yarn onto the ball, it should be thoroughly coated with office glue - PVA glue will not work, because it takes a very long time to dry and leaves behind white stains. The coated ball must be dried (to do this, use a hair dryer with a warm stream of air) so that the glue sets faster. After making sure that the glue has completely dried, the ball can be “deflated” and pulled out through the small hole cut. “Krona” is already ready.
By the way, some fans prefer to make decorative trees with their own hands, using not balloons, but children's plastic balls (the kind you can find in playrooms today). True, the ball will be bright, so you will have to wrap it in several layers of nylon stocking or thick dark fabric so that the bright color does not show through the bean grains. You can buy such a ball at any kiosk with children's toys - they are sold individually.
Trunk
Almost any branch is suitable for the trunk, as long as it is strong and stable. If you have a twig of an apple tree, that’s generally great: the apple bark itself looks great, and you don’t have to decorate it further.
So, the “crown” is already there, and so is the “trunk”. You need to attach it to the frame as quickly as possible and very carefully, since the frame is quite fragile. To do this, you need to insert a twig into the cut hole and secure it to the “top of the head” (a drop of Moment glue should be placed on the tip of the twig), and fill the hole itself with sealant from a gun. Next, you will have to wait until both the glue and the sealant dry.
Crown
This is perhaps the most important of all stages of creating a decorative tree. You should have a glue gun and bean seeds on hand. The beans must be dark to give the appearance of a coffee tree. Glue will have to be dripped onto each bean so that there is no glue left between the grains. And, of course, the beans need to be glued in a dense layer - in order or chaotically, this is how your imagination on the topic of “indoor decorative trees” will manifest itself.
Spring birch, height 41–42 cm Stand
We use an ordinary flower pot as a stand (some aesthetes prefer beauty in everything, so they take beautiful ones instead of pots). The “trunk” is secured with small stones. And for greater beauty, they can also be decorated with yellow or green sewing threads, sprinkled with regular hairspray.
That's basically it. Such decorative trees can be placed in any corner of your apartment - and even given to friends! You'll see, they will definitely appreciate your craft!
Oh, by the way: if you are an avid coffee drinker, you can replace the beans with real coffee beans - your tree will emit a real coffee smell!
All photos from the article
What can you use to make a decorative tree on the wall? In this article we will get acquainted with several ideas for decorating living rooms using stylized images and relief figures of trees on the walls. In addition, we learn that decor can be made not only beautiful, but also functional. So, let's go.
Design principles
Let's start with a short excursion into theory.
It’s useful to know if you want to use the decor of a room to adjust its visual perception:
- A tall tree silhouette image with a small width will make your ceiling appear taller, but will visually reduce the horizontal size of the wall.
- Wide and spreading decorative weeping trees or an image of a low grove the width of the entire wall will provide the opposite effect: the wall will appear wider and lower.
- The predominance of light colors in the background will make the room as a whole more spacious.
- The opposite is also true: a light pattern on a dark background will make the room appear more compact.
However: dark walls with a light ceiling dramatically increase the apparent height of the room.
Flat images
The simplest scenario is a one-color pattern applied to the wall. You can get it in several ways.
Dye
Even if you are completely deprived of artistic talent, transferring the silhouette of an existing image to the wall will not be a problem.
Here are a couple of the most obvious solutions:
- Divide the printed picture of a tree into squares of the same size.. Draw the same number of squares on a constant scale across the entire wall. Transfer the outline from the sheet to the wall, filling square by square.
- Use a simple projector - a lamp with a reflector - to project a silhouette onto the wall.. Fix the sketch of the silhouette with tape on a vertically installed glass.
How to make the contours of a single-color drawing as clear as possible? It's as easy as pie: use masking tape. First, cover the outside of the image with it and paint over it; then repeat the operation, protecting the dried one with tape.
Outline pictures
Instead of dye, you can use ready-made paper and vinyl applications. They are sold with an adhesive layer already applied; Simply peel off the protective glossy paper and the drawing can be glued to the wall.
Note: rough coatings with low adhesion (including water-based paint and lime) must first be primed with acrylic penetrating primer.
In particularly advanced cases, PVA glue is applied to the back surface of the application.
Relief images
Of course, they look much more convincing than flat ones; however, creating a relief picture with your own hands will be noticeably more difficult. What could serve as material for it?
Textured plaster
This is the name of a plaster composition with the addition of large mineral grains, which, when rubbed, leave deep scratches in it, imitating the natural unevenness of various natural surfaces.
The acrylic mass (a more durable cement composition should not be used indoors) is applied inside the contour transferred to the wall and limited with masking tape with a spatula; texture is imparted to the plaster by parallel or chaotic movements of the trowel. Then the edges are cleaned with a knife.
After forming the relief silhouette, the dried coating can be painted with any water-soluble paints; As an option, you can pre-mix the acrylic mass with the pigment.
A more complex option is to form a full-fledged complex three-dimensional image using a narrow spatula and knife.