Bejeweled Christmas Trees

Materials and Tools:

small wire tomato cage (available at garden centers)
1 roll of red floral netting
84" berry garland
12 to 15 artificial roses
6 to 8 glittery branches
thin gauge red wire
15 to 20 small red berry sprigs
berry clusters
wired metallic stars
wire snips

Figure A

Steps:

1. Flip the tomato cage upside-down so it has a conical tree-shape. Wrap a piece of the thin gauge red wire around the three legs so the top of the cage now comes to a point (figure A).

Figure B

2. Beginning at the top of the tree, wrap the red floral netting around tomato cage (figure B), wiring the netting to the cage at the bottom and cutting off the excess.

Figure C

Wrap the tree with netting a second time, again wiring the floral netting to cage at the top and bottom (figure C). To ensure that the netting stays in place, also wire it in several locations to the tree's middle. Tip: Before inserting wire through cage, bend it into a U-shape. Stick one end of the U through first, making it easier to tie the wire off and tuck the loose ends back through the netting.

Figure D

3. Wrap the berry garland around the tree starting at the top (figure D). Once you reach the bottom, wire both ends of the garland to the cage.

Figure F

4. Next, add the metallic wired stars (figure F). Begin wrapping them at the top of the tree, cutting off the excess at the bottom and wiring both ends to the cage. Using a second piece of metallic wired stars, begin wrapping at the bottom of the tree and wrap in the opposite direction of the berry garland.

Figure G

5. Wire on the glitter leaves following the same pattern, making sure to secure the top and bottom of the branches with wire to your tree (figure G).

Figure H

6. Using wire snips, cut roses from their stems, leaving just enough to add a bit of wire for securing the roses to the tree. Finally, wire on red roses and sprigs of red berries (figure H). As these may be heavier than the garlands, make sure to wire them directly to the cage, not just the floral netting.

Figure I

The roses and berries can be placed wherever you wish, grouped together in clusters looks nice (figure I). Play around with placement until you like the result.