| Instructions |
You can make
a variety of sizes, but the basic method is the same:
- Use a
plate or other round object as a pattern. Trace a circle onto the screen.
The larger the circle, the larger the angel.
- Cut out the circle using tin snips or heavy shears.
- Mark a
1/3 wedge on the circle (like a big piece of pie). Cut the wedge from
the circle and save the wedge for the wings.
- For the
angel's skirt, make a cone from what's left of the circle, overlapping
the edges until you achieve the shape you like.
- "Sew"
the screen together using wire by threading it in and out of the screen
holes. Tuck the ends of the wire inside the skirt.
- Make
the wings from the reserved wedge of screen. Fold it in half lengthwise
and crease. Cut a half-heart shape from the folded screen with the crease
to the inside of the heart. (You might want to experiment with a paper
pattern first.)
- Open the
heart shape and "sew" the wings to the back of the skirt,
threading the wire along the crease.
- Make
the angel's arms by rolling a rectangular piece of screen along its
long axis. (For an angel cut from a typically-sized plate, the piece
should be about 8"x 10". Adjust these dimensions for the size
of your angel. Remember, if the arms turn out to be too long, they can
always be trimmed). To make it easier to get the roll started, use a
pencil or dowel.
- Let the
rolled screen unroll slightly, then bunch it in the middle with a 10"
to 12" piece of wire.
- Attach
the arms to the top of the skirt by threading the loose wire ends through
the top of the cone. Twist to tighten.
- For the
angel's head and hair, wrap several strands of jute around your hand
or another object and bunch it together in the middle with a 10"
piece of wire twisted at the center.
- Carefully
use a large nail or awl to make a hole completely through the center
of the styrofoam ball.
- Thread
the cut ends of the wire attached to the jute through the hole in the
ball.
- Attach
the head to the angel skirt above the arms by threading the ends of
the wire through the screen of the arms and skirt. Pull through from
the underside and twist to tighten.
- You can
leave the hair bunched or, if you wish, you can give the hair personality
by cutting and untwisting the jute. The arms can be bent and shaped
to hold an object, if desired.
- Spray
the assembled angel with gold or silver spray paint.
Note:
Some styrofoam will become pitted by some types of spray paint. Spray
painting adds texture so you may want to test the results first.
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| Instructions |
Once upon
a time, copper was considered a precious jewelry making metal. Now, since
it is used so frequently for wiring and other uses, it has been reduced
to an everyday metal; but, that doesn't make it any less beautiful! And
from a practical standpoint, its availability gives all the more reason
for its use in creating ornaments.
Make great
little spirals and dangles for your tree or suspend from monofilament
fishing line anywhere.
- Cut about 12" of wire (lengths will vary according to how long you want the spirals to be.)
- Using
the needle nose pliers, bend a hook in one end of the wire large enough
to fit over a tree branch.
- Hold the hooked end against the dowel and begin wrapping the wire around the dowel.
- When you
reach the end, remove the dowel and shape the end with the pliers. Each
one can be different: squiggle some ends, point others, etc.
- To smooth rough edges, use a metal file.
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| Instructions |
- Cut a length of wire as long as you'd like the garland.
- String a washer on one end of the wire and secure by twisting the end of the wire around it.
- Thread nuts and washers on the wire from the loose end, alternating sizes as you go.
- Crimp
a loop in the loose end of the wire after you are done to keep your
hardware ornaments from coming off.
- Working
from the end where you secured the first washer, twist the wire around
each nut or washer, spacing them about 4-5" apart along the wire.
- Spray
your creation with gold or silver. The wire allows this garland to be
shaped. It looks great used with greenery.
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| Instructions |
Apply a band of the open mesh tape to the top rim of the pot.- Spray
the entire pot green (or your chosen color). You can vary the intensity
of the color — make it solid or lightly spray for a more mottled
appearance. Let it dry.
- Cut multiples
of a design (trees, snowmen, etc.) from paper, enough to go around the
whole pot.
- With a
small circle of masking tape on the back, apply the cut-out masks to
the pot.
- Lightly
spray the pot with the gold or a contrasting color. (Avoid the top band
and concentrate on the areas around the cut-outs.)
- For the
most defined edges around the cut-outs, spray toward them. To create
a softer edge, spray against the cut-out from an angle slightly to the
side—the more of an angle, the less definition the edges of your
shape will have.
- Remove
the taped cut-outs and mesh tape.
Viola! . . . a custom painted pot of your own design. These are great for holiday
gift-giving—just fill with the plant of your choice.
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| Instructions |
Create economical gold and silver roping to intertwine with greenery for
beautiful holiday decorations by spray painting ordinary nylon rope. The
jumbo-sized rope is ideal for outdoor use where larger-scaled elements
are needed. You'll find nylon rope in several sizes, but look for the
variety that is soft enough to drape.
- Nylon
rope is sturdy and difficult to cut with regular scissors or knives.
Determine how long you'd like the garland to be before you shop. Have
the lengths of rope cut at the store. If you do cut the rope yourself,
or if the store's cutter doesn't burn the ends for you, use a lighter
or burning match to melt the ends of each length of rope to prevent
fraying.
- When the rope cools (it takes just a second), tie knots in each end.
- Hang the rope or lay it on newspapers and lightly spray paint it to achieve
the desired effect.
- Turn the rope and check all around to make sure the paint coverage is even.
- A fine mist of metallic paint adds a sparkly sheen.
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| Instructions |
Hardware cloth is used to make cages or fences. It takes on a different
quality, when cut into star shapes, painted and adorned with ribbon.
- Cut paper patterns in star shapes.
- Outline
the shape on the screen or hardware cloth by drawing around the pattern
with a marker.
- Cut out the shape, being careful not to snag your fingers on the edges.
- Lay the stars on newspapers and spray paint using the color of your choice.
- Attach lengths of narrow ribbon or wire hangers to hang stars from the tree limbs.
Caution:
These ornaments are great to look at but can be prickly to touch. They
should be kept well out of the reach of children.
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| Materials for the Menorah |
Click a text link below to shop for that item.
Click
the information icon  for a product buying guide.
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| Menorah |
- Sand
the edges of the board smooth. (If you have a router, create a decorative
edge around the perimeter.)
- Stain and varnish or paint and let dry.
- Glue nine painted valves to the board with equal spacing.
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| Compression Valve Candleholders |
Compression valves and probably lots of other electrical, plumbing or hardware products
make great candleholders.
- Wash the compression valves thoroughly with soapy water and allow them to dry.
- Spray paint the valves with your favorite holiday color.
- Tie ribbons around your new candleholders to give them flair, and insert the candles.
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