Try it with Twigs

by Sherry Holetzky | More from this Blogger

05 Sep 2006 08:34 AM

You can make lots of cool stuff from twigs you find around your yard. Have you ever made something from twigs, sticks, or small branches?

Super Simple

You can simply clean some twigs, bundle them together, and tie them with ribbon, rope, or string. This will make a nice autumn decoration, indoors or out. You can also fill a basket with larger twigs to set near the fireplace, or roll long twigs (softened with water) into balls, like a ball of yarn, to bring the feeling of autumn inside.

Willow Welcome Mat

Weeping Willows have long, skinny "branches" that hang down. If you can find such a tree, or one with similar appendages, you can use them to make a welcome mat. Remove all the leaves from them, clean them, and then weave them together in an over under fashion. It helps if you pin or staple the ends to an old picture frame or something similar to keep them in place while you weave. When you have woven enough twigs together to reach the size you want, remove the staples. You can have an adult help you hot glue the ends to keep your work from coming apart, or you can glue the entire piece onto a thin rubber mat and use the mat as a backing.

Twig Art

Decorate the edges of a picture frame by gluing on pieces of twigs. You can also make the artwork for inside the frame with twigs. Arrange them on a background until you make a cool design and then glue them in place. Soft twigs can also be braided to make mats as suggested above or you can braid clean twigs together to make placemats, table toppers, or interesting wall hangings. Make a long braid and hand it from a cup hook. You can hang assorted items from it with small S hooks. Use twigs in their natural state or paint any color you like. If desired, top with a clear coat to protect your finished projects.

Learn more about Sherry Holetzky

Sherry Holetzky is a work at home mom and freelance writer. Married to her best friend, Sherry and her husband are raising their family in a quiet rural setting in the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

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