Craft Pimp: Christmas Table Decoration by Vic Tierney

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Christmas Table Decoration by Vic Tierney

A wonderful tutorial from Vic of Cornish Dragon for a totally unique table decoration this Christmas.

Some of you may know that I’m a qualified florist, it was my first job and I still have my box containing oasis, wires, etc. stashed away in my shed. It comes out at Christmas ready for me to wire up pine cones, ribbons and even walnuts for a Christmas decoration or a wreath for my door.

I thought I would share with you how I make up a quick table decoration I will show how to wire up a pinecone and hopefully pass on a few tips and tricks. What you will need is:

A Pot / container, Fresh or artificial foliage, Wet / Dry oasis depending on the type of foliage used, Pinecones, baubles or other decorations and ribbon, Florist’s wire, I recommend a heavier gauge, scissors.

The pot or container can be anything like a flower pot, drinking glass, even a plate. One thing to consider is if you want to use fresh foliage your container must be waterproof and not leak. I found that the hard way one year with some lovely mini buckets as they leaked like sieves. I have used a flowerpot and put a small plastic dish inside to stop any water from escaping. You will also need some oasis, if you are using fresh foliage you will need a block or round of wet oasis which is a green colour and if using dried or artificial foliage you will need to use the grey brown dry oasis. The oasis may need to be cut to fit your container and the wet oasis will also need to be soaked in water for a while. This will ensure your fresh foliage has plenty of water and won’t wilt too quickly. The oasis can be easily cut with a knife, one thing though the dust is very fine and if it gets in your eyes it can be painful, I have managed to get both types in my eyes many times.

I used a few pieces of foliage I found in the garden and I had a small tub of decorations I got in a pound shop. The tub had pinecones and baubles inside, to use these they will need to be wired up. The baubles are easy just thread the wire through the hanging hole and twist. With the pinecones you need to thread the wire round and twist, I have shown how it’s done in these three photos.

When you are ready you can then start to add the foliage to the oasis, I start with a central piece and then the edges and you can then fill in with more foliage mixing it all up to give an interesting texture. The next part is to add in the extra bits like the baubles and pinecones. Mine had a few places where you could see the oasis and I felt it was lacking something so I added some wired up ribbon loops.

There is no wrong or right amount of foliage you can use, just use what you feel looks good. You may feel you don’t need to use the pinecones, etc. or you might want to use something else entirely. I have used walnuts, wired and sprayed gold, cinnamon sticks and dried orange slices in the past. If using artificial foliage like the picks or bunches you can buy, I would cut them apart and wire them up, this will mean you will need less of the picks and the completed decoration won’t look to bulky.

You can make the decoration as large or as small as you want and it does not need to be just for your table. I have made these a few days before Christmas and kept them outside in the cool to keep them fresh a bit longer and bring them in on Christmas Eve. I have also added fresh flowers like roses, tulips or carnations and given them as a gift.