The pot is an important part of the whole composition when creating topiary. As a rule, it is on the pot that the inspection of the entire craft ends (taking into account the fact that the crown is the main highlight of the trees of happiness, their inspection takes place from top to bottom). If the pot looks unattractive, then the person will spoil the impression of the entire handmade creation. That is why we will devote this article to how to decorate a topiary pot with our own hands, as well as to what you can fill such a container with.

Filling pots when creating a craft

There is one important question that interests beginner needleworkers when they create their first topiary: how to fill the pot. The importance of this issue can hardly be overestimated, because the stability of the entire structure will depend on the correct filling of the container.

Advice! Before answering the question - how to fix the topiary in a pot - you must first clarify one point: you can fill the container in different ways and the choice of a particular type of "foundation" depends either on personal preferences or on the characteristics of the entire creation.

So, the most popular aggregate is gypsum or alabaster mortar. This type of foundation is considered very reliable, however, in its manufacture, a number of rules must be observed:

• diluting gypsum (or alabaster) with water, you need to bring the mixture to a creamy consistency (at high hardness it will be difficult to insert the topiary trunk, and if the solution is too liquid, the structure simply will not hold);
• after you insert the trunk into the solution, you will need to hold the trunk with your hands for some time so that it does not squint (it is not necessary to hold the structure until the foundation has completely solidified, the main thing is that the gypsum has frozen enough to hold the leg of the future tree on its own);
• if the master class provides for decorating the foundation, it should be done only after one hundred percent solidification of gypsum or alabaster.

The second most popular type of attachment is foam. Working with it is extremely simple: you just need to stick a piece of foam into a pot for crafts. Here you do not need to wait for the foundation to solidify and manually hold the trunk. You can continue working immediately after placement. The main disadvantage of this method is that it is necessary to clearly select the size of the foam "soil" so that it fits snugly against the walls of the pot and does not move. If the foam base is large, its edges are cut to the required size, if it is small, a layer of fabric is placed between the pot and the foam.

Well, the third method of attachment is the rarest. There is no need to use solutions and other bases that will fill the pot almost to the brim. The trunk of the craft is simply glued to the bottom of the pot with a glue gun. The method is relatively simple, but not economical, because for reliable fastening you will need to use a lot of glue.

How to decorate a pot

It is simply impossible to briefly answer the question - how to decorate a topiary pot, because when solving this problem, you can use a lot of options. By and large, it all depends on your imagination and the availability of specific materials.

We wrap with a cloth

The easiest way to decorate a topiary pot with your own hands involves simply wrapping the container with a cloth. The fabric should be large enough to completely envelop the pot. For reliability, the edges of the fabric are recommended to be glued to the inner side of the container.

We paint

Another easy way to seamlessly arrange a topiary pot is to paint it. Often, paint is used that matches the crown in tone. Of course, contrasting design is also allowed, but this approach is best used by experienced craftsmen.

Decorate with ribbons

Another method involves wrapping the pot with a satin ribbon. The method is simple, fast, and most importantly, the decorated container often looks very nice. There is only one requirement for this design: the satin ribbon must match the crown in tone or have neutral shade(beige, white, cream).

Sometimes you can do without the decor of the sides. However, the foundation must always be decorated. There are several ways to close the nondescript surface of the base. Suitable for this:

• coffee beans;
• Christmas decorations;
• fruit;
• decorative stones;
• shells.

Note! The choice of a particular method depends on the style of the entire craft.

However, if you want your creation to look like a masterpiece, the design of the topiary pot should be combined. For example, you can paint a pot and wrap a satin bow around it. Also, a topiary pot will look elegant if you rub it with sandpaper and then spray paint it. Another decoration option involves painting, sticking flowers on the sides and tying satin bow. The most costly (in terms of time) is considered to fit the pot to the general style of the entire craft (for example, you can completely glue the sides of the container with coffee beans, shells or stones).

As you can see, the decor of the topiary pot depends on what specific tree of happiness you are making, on your time and imagination. Beginning craftsmen are advised to first try out the simplest methods, and only then switch to combined decoration.

Revealed the secrets of making 20 types of topiria with step by step instructions and video tutorials.

The history of the origin of the art of topiary stretches back to ancient times and was a curly haircut of green plants. Intricate figures of trees could be observed in the gardens of the Roman nobility, the original form of which was given by court slave gardeners.

A modern topiary is a miniature copy of trees and bushes, and it depends only on the imagination of a skilled florist what form of crown he will give to his own tree. Topiary is a tree of happiness that has regained its popularity in modern European floristry.

DIY wedding topiary

You can make a topiary for a wedding with your own hands. To get started, check out our wedding topiary shape ideas in our gallery.

Aren't the ideas simply charming? Can you imagine the faces of the newlyweds if you present them with a “wedding tree of happiness” as a gift? Or maybe a celebration is planned in your family, and you will be able to make beautiful decorations on the wedding table yourself, surprising not only original idea but also by their skill.

Here, for example, we offer you an interesting wedding decor in the form of a topiary, for which you do not have to spend a lot of money and effort. Please prepare the following materials:

• Original flowerpot
• Twig for the trunk
• hot glue
• Stipler
• Beads
• beads
• cotton pads
• Green crepe paper

So, let's get to work.

• Our wedding tree will consist of roses, which we will make from ordinary roses. cotton pads at the rate of one disc - one rose
• Let's fold the two sides of the disk to the center in such a way that we get a wide edge on one side and a sharp edge on the other, and fasten it in the center with a stapler
• Now gently turn the wide edge outward, and you have the first bud of a white rose in your hands.
• Do the same with other disks - the number of roses depends on how wide your ball will be

• Let's start preparing the crown for wedding tree happiness. To create it, you can use foam, crumpled newspapers into a ball
• The main thing is that the material for the base should not be heavy. From above, wrap the ball with a white sheet of paper and fix it with glue to the prepared branch, which in your case will serve as a trunk
• Glue the ball to the base of the barrel with hot glue
• The next step is gluing roses. They need to be glued thickly, pressed tightly against each other so that the base is not even visible.

• At this stage of the work, you need to take crepe paper and cut out small squares from it, which will serve as small leaves. Glue them with PVA glue

• Finally, randomly place white beads on the bouquet using hot glue.
• It's time to make a pot
• For this purpose, a beautiful small vessel or a jar of yogurt is perfect.
• Pour dry gypsum into the container and fill it with water until the consistency of thick sour cream
• Carefully, in the center, insert the tree of happiness and let it dry well. Ideally, it should be left overnight

• The next day we will start decorating the tree trunk. We put white beads on the thread and fasten the beads under the crown of the tree. We wrap the trunk with a spiral and fix the beads at the base of the tree with glue. Fall asleep with a layer of small beads
• Depending on which tree pot you have chosen, you can come up with a decoration for it. wedding theme perfect white organza
• Tie it with a bow and your wedding topiary is ready.

Topiary on a glass master class

If we are going to make a surprise for the wedding, then let's do it in its entirety - give glasses for the bride and groom to the beautiful wedding topiary. But the glasses will not be simple, but super interesting.

After all, you will make the topiary on the glasses with your own hands. And this means that you will pour all your soul and love into them, while wishing the bride and groom a lot of happy and happy years in strong love.

Video: DIY wedding glasses master class

Topiary on March 8

• The holiday of March 8 is considered to be for women. At the same time, a joyful mood is noted in everyone, regardless of gender and age. A holiday, it brings joy in itself, and in order to enhance it, it is customary to give interesting gifts.
• At all times, men gave women flowers - whether it be a beautifully decorated bouquet or flowers in pots. But if you want to pleasantly surprise your woman, you can use the idea of ​​a topiary
• Moreover, there are many options for holiday topiaries, and you can always choose the one that will touch the heart of your beloved.

Topiary from rose napkins step by step instructions

So, let's get to work - we will create roses.

• In order to create this magnificent beauty, we will prepare napkins of a certain color.
• In our free time, we will start turning them into rosebuds. Cut each napkin into 4 pieces.
• We take one part of the napkin and fold it in such a way as shown in the photo. That is, not in half, one-third
• We do the same with the rest of the parts. For a rosebud, you will need 2 napkins. And again, you can adjust the size of the buds yourself.

• Now we form a bud by winding. We form each petal with our fingers, giving the bud nice shape. Here is what you should get as a result.

• Glue the finished rosebuds from napkins tightly to the ball.

• For Valentine's Day topiary, you can use white and red napkins for roses, and decorate the design with hearts and Cupid's arrow
• For example, you can take note of such an option for making roses

• For Women's Day on March 8, buds of any color are suitable. The main thing is to make it from the heart and with love, and decorate the topiary itself with decorative elements that will match the holiday.

Topiary for the New Year

Topiary on New Year should symbolize the solemnity of the event. We have already talked about what a topiary is and what are the basic principles for its manufacture.

But what is a topiary for the New Year? You guessed it - on New Year's Eve it is customary to make wishes. And if you decide to make Christmas tree happiness with your own hands, then you will have every opportunity to securely fix your desire with resistant glue.

Before you start manufacturing, you need to decide on its shape. New Year's topiary may have traditional round shape, but you can also give it a figured shape, for example, the shape of a Christmas tree.

We will consider a variant of the topiary from Christmas balls. You will need to prepare:

1. Christmas balls in silver or gold (you can combine the colors of the balls)
2. Foam for the base
3. wand
4. pot
5. Styrofoam for ball
6. New Year's design elements - cones, decorative berries and fruits

• If you picked up a pot for the New Year theme, then you can leave it in the form it is now. In another case, the pot must first be decorated with satin fabric and fixed to the base of the pot with double-sided tape.
• Immediately place the foam inside the pot, which will serve as a reliable support for your topiary. In the middle of the oasis, fix the trunk - it can be an ordinary stick wrapped in a satin ribbon or a cardboard base from food foil or film
• At this stage, fix the foam plastic to the top of the trunk of the tree of happiness, having previously made it the shape of a ball. So the moment has come when we will form the crown of the tree with our own hands. In our case, these are New Year's toys-balls. Place each individual ball on toothpicks and glue them at the base. Now firmly insert the toothpicks with balls into the crown ball.
• If you will use big balls, then the gaps between them can be filled with small balls and decorated with beads and tinsel
• In order for your design to hold well, we recommend that you glue the balls together at the end of the work.

Feel free to turn on your imagination, add or change elements at your discretion. The main rule is that they are combined with each other in color!

DIY Christmas Topiary

Shortly after the celebration of the New Year comes the holiday of Christmas. Naturally, you can use your New Year's Topiary for Christmas as well. But! You all know very well that Christmas is always associated with red, white and in green. Therefore, if you decide to make another Topiary, then use the scenery of these shades.

Topiary of fresh and juicy strawberries in the form of a Christmas tree. You can use this delicious strawberry decor not only for Christmas, but also for any holiday, festive buffet or jar.

To make a Christmas tree of happiness in the form of a Christmas tree, you will need to prepare:

• Styrofoam cone
• Food wrap or foil
• Stand in the form of a vase or pea
• Fresh mint, basil or lettuce leaves
• Chocolate
• Strawberries - 2 kg
• powdered sugar
• Cannon,
• toothpicks
• Bows for decoration

So, let's start the exciting process.

• First secure the Styrofoam cone securely to the base using hot glue. Now wrap the cone-trunk of the future fruit tree with cling film or foil
• Carefully sort the strawberries and select only healthy rafts with pointed ends, approximately the same size

Lay out on the table all the necessary elements for work:

1. toothpicks
2. Chocolate
3. Blackberries
4. strawberries without green leaves
5. floral pins

• Start work from the bottom, gently in a circle. In this case, it is necessary to rotate not the cone, but the base. Dip each strawberry upside down in melted chocolate, put it on a toothpick and attach it to the cone
• Close the gaps between strawberries with mint or basil leaves using floral pins. Try to attach the leaves at a distance of 7-8 cm from each other
• You can also insert blackberries between strawberries, which will give your tree an even more original look.
• Decorate the top of the Christmas topiary with carom or you can carve a Christmas star out of a mango or pineapple. If you don’t have either one or the other, then you can also decorate the top with an original bow.
• Before serving, dust the strawberries with powdered sugar to give your tree a more festive, snowy look.

Topiary from banknotes

A lot of delight and pleasant emotions will cause the birthday man a gift in the form of a topiary made of banknotes - a real money tree!!!

To make such a great gift, you will need:

1. Hot glue, PVA glue
2. Newspapers and thread
3. wooden skewers
4. Napkin
5. Leg-split
6. paper money
7. coins
8. Sackcloth
9. Acrylic paint in gold color
10. Lace golden

• Let's make a pot first
• You can take a container of sour cream, or buy an original flower pot shape especially for this occasion.
• Paint the top of the pot gold acrylic paint set it aside for the paint to dry well
• If necessary, you can apply another layer of paint
• Lubricate the rest of the pot with PVA glue and wrap tightly with twine, securing its tip with hot glue

How to make a newspaper topiary ball

• Crumple the newspapers into a ball about 10 cm in diameter.
• Wrap it with regular sewing thread.
• Now tear up colored napkin, and grease the ball with a thin layer of glue
• Stick 1-2 layers of napkins to the ball so that the threads are not visible
• Let the glue dry well

• Using a knife, make a hole in the ball for the future trunk
• Take 10-15 skewers and tie them together with threads at both ends. Pour a little glue into the hole of the ball and immediately insert the skewers with sharp ends. Lubricate the barrel with glue and wrap tightly with twine. Secure the end of the twine securely with glue.
• Dilute gypsum with water to a state of thick sour cream and pour into a pot. Insert the finished barrel with the ball into the center and hold it in such a position for a while so that the plaster sets well. Otherwise, your trunk may squint.
• After 30 minutes, you can start decorating the crown of the money tree.
• While the plaster dries, prepare the blanks. To do this, you will need souvenir banknotes and a golden ribbon.
• Fold the banknote with an accordion, tie in the middle with a golden thread, and glue the edges in the form of a disk. You will need approximately 18-20 discs for your ball
• Glue the discs onto the ball, starting from the bottom. Your ball is ready
• Now you can make various fans, scrolls, airplanes, etc. out of banknotes. Glue them where you like best - the main thing is to make your tree lush and interesting.
• It remains only to decorate the stand. To do this, you can use green moss or sisal. Place a small burlap bag under the tree, putting coins in it and tying gold thread on top
• Your money tree is a banknote topiary, ready. Enjoy its beauty and exquisite view

Pearl Topiary

Pearl Topiary will be a wonderful decoration for your room interior or wedding table. There are many options for its manufacture and all of them are simply amazing as a selection. See for yourself.

Candy topiary

Remember, we recently discussed with you the option of making a topiary for Christmas. We used fresh strawberries for this. And now a new proposal is to make a candy topiary.

Such an unusual attribute is perfect for any celebration, but above all, on children's holiday which will make it unusual and original. He will be able to please not only with his design, but also with the internal content.

Video: Master class Bouquet of sweets

Video: Valentine's Day Candy Topiary

Fruit topiary

For fruit lovers, it is not difficult to make a topiary to their liking. It will not only decorate the interior of their home, but will remind you of a beautiful and warm summer all year round. I will tell you how to make a bright decorative fruit topiary. By the way, in this technique you can make any fruit tree.

So, let's start making fruit topiary.

We will need:

• planter
• wires
• Styrofoam ball
• Decorative leaves and apples
• Acrylic paint brown
• Hot glue
• Ribbon or chain
• Wooden skewers - 4 pcs
• Any element of decor - a butterfly, a bird, etc.

Let's start with the fact that we will form a trunk and a branch of a fruit tree from a thick wire. We fasten them with a thin wire.

Gypsum is poured with water until the consistency of thick sour cream is formed. Pour the mixture into a flowerpot and set the trunk of our future tree in the center.

Topiary from threads for knitting

If you are knitting, then, undoubtedly, after each of your creations you have extra threads. Diversify your Creative skills, thereby surprising your loved ones with a new hobby - knitting thread topiary.

The manufacturing technology of the topiary in this case remains the same, while the appearance will differ in many respects. To create an original topiary, you can use multi-colored balls of thread or crochet original flowers from them, which will decorate the top of your tree of happiness.

And here is an example of what flowers you can tie yourself. Naturally, you should not follow the example, because, as if you are a needlewoman, you can independently come up with new creations. These can be flowers, cones, fruits, vegetables, and even various figures of moths, birds, etc.

Topiary with photos inside

There is no doubt that a gift in the form of a tree of happiness with a photograph inside will not go unnoticed and will cause a lot of positive emotions in the hero of the occasion.

It is not difficult to make it, you just need to choose the right photo and come up with the shape of the tree crown. Such a topiary for Valentine's Day looks original.

You can choose the shape of a heart, and put your photo in the middle. Intrigued? Naturally. Then nothing can stop you from making such an original proposal with your own hands.

Topiary from improvised means

Such a popular interior decoration as a topiary, it turns out, can be made from the most common improvised means. As a decor, you can use coffee beans, pasta and even ordinary colored paper. By the way, the latest version is ideal for those mothers who want to teach their child to art. Your child will take great pleasure in making it.

To make it, you will need the following materials:

• colored paper
• wooden stick
• Jar of baby puree
• masking tape
• PVA glue
• Figured hole puncher in the form of a flower

If you do not have such a hole punch in your house, then you can involve your child in the process of cutting flowers.

So, we crumple a ball from newspapers and wrap it with masking tape. Lubricate the end of the wooden stick with PVA glue or Moment and immediately insert it into the ball, after making a hole in it with scissors.

Using a flower hole punch, we cut out flowers from multi-colored paper - you will need about 100 pieces, depending on the size of the ball and the flowers themselves.

Finally, decorate our topiary with a beautiful bow.

Topiary from felt, photo

Such material as felt looks very beautiful on the tree of happiness - topiary. It turns out not only a somewhat unusual tree, but also appetizing. Some of its species strongly resemble the large Chupa-Chups candy, which children love to eat so much.

You can also involve children in this process, because this material is easy to work with. But as a result, you can get the most beautiful creations. A little flight of children's imagination and a gift for the birthday of classmates, ready.

Topiary for beginners with satin ribbons

Which of us in childhood did not try to make roses from satin ribbons points? Probably everyone. But none of us could even imagine that a few of these roses would help create an amazingly beautiful topiary.

So, satin ribbons, a little design trick and a topiary can really decorate any celebration, become a great gift for a birthday or Valentine's Day, serve as a decoration on wedding table etc. Are you inspired? Then let's get started.

Naturally, in order to create a satin ribbon topiary, first of all you need to stock up on satin ribbons - choose their color to your liking, depending on the nature of the holiday.

• Just do not forget to secure each of them with hot glue from below. Now let's start making the topiary. We usually need a pot, a stick, and a bowl.
• We proceed exactly as in the previous cases. We assemble the structure from the ball and the trunk of the future tree of happiness and begin to carefully and tightly plant the prepared roses on the ball, fixing them with a drop of hot glue
• The ball is ready, it remains to add a few design touches and ... Here is the result. Beautiful, isn't it? With such a gift, you can immediately go to your beloved girl

flying topiary

And for dessert, we suggest you make a slightly unusual topiary - flying. Sounds unusual, but looks interesting. I have no doubt that you are simply intrigued by this idea and are in a hurry to find out how you can make such an original topiary with your own hands.

It seems to be like a figure in weightlessness? You now have a lot of questions - I'm sure of it. But, you can really do it yourself, and do not hesitate.

To make a "Floating Cup of Coffee" you will need to prepare:

• Pliers,
• glue gun,
• A cup,
• Saucer,
• Arabica coffee,
• Aluminum fork.

You may be surprised to see in the constituent materials the name aluminum fork. Aluminum because it is easier to bend - we need to bend it with the letter "zu", that is, in the shape of a future waterfall.

• So, the fork was bent. Now we need to securely glue it with hot glue on one side to the saucer, and on the other to the cup. Secure with duct tape on top to secure.
• Now we need polyethylene foam, which can be found in the packaging for dishes. We cut out the width of the future waterfall and glue it to the fork
• We select large coffee beans and begin to stick them on the tape on both sides. Make sure there is no empty space left. Coffee beans can be glued in several layers

• Let the glue dry well and you can start decorating. Coffee beans can be coated with a layer of varnish. But in this case, the coffee will not emit its aroma. So it's up to you. Decorate the cup with a beautiful bow, put cinnamon sticks on the saucer - in a word, turn on the flight of fancy

• You already have the base, and the decoration is in your hands. So you have already learned how to make beautiful topiary with your own hands

Make crafts, offer your ideas and delight people close to you with new works of your creativity.

Video: Ribbon Topiary

Topiary ("tree of happiness", "European tree") is a small decorative tree that decorates interiors and exteriors, and is also often used for. Topiaries are good because they look very beautiful, and you can make them with your own hands in just 1 evening from improvised materials.

• This means that you can make several decorations at once, for example, one pair for New Year's serving, another for Easter, and a couple more for the mantelpiece.

In this material you will find 1 basic instruction on how to make a do-it-yourself topiary for beginners, as well as 3 step by step master class in addition to it, and 45 photo ideas for inspiration.

Basic instruction for beginners

Topiaries of even the most complex design are made according to approximately the same principle. Having mastered the basic manufacturing technology, you can create a variety of topiary, changing only the materials for decoration.

So, to make a mini-tree with your own hands, you will need to create it:

• Crown;
• Trunk;
• The base of the tree.

Step 1. Design planning

Topiary can be different not only in design, but also in terms of service life. Before starting work, think about why you need a “tree of happiness” and where will it live? The purpose and future place of the topiary will determine its style, color scheme and even materials for its creation.

If you want to make topiary for, then materials that are not too durable can be used - paper, napkins, sweets, fresh flowers, fruits. If you want to make a topiary as a gift or for interior decoration, then it is better to use a more reliable decor - cones, artificial flowers, coffee beans, ribbons, organza, etc.

In the next selection of photos, you can get design ideas for themed and festive topiaries.

Sweet candy topiary for a children's party

Halloween decoration with potted candy

Halloween decorations from pumpkin seeds, ribbons and sweets in tea cans

Easter trees made from eggs, artificial flowers, satin ribbons and moss

Christmas topiary from artificial leaves and holly berries, cones and ribbons with a stem from a branch

Candy tree for the holiday table

Topiary for festive serving table made of artificial flowers, natural branches, dry moss and satin ribbons

And here is a selection of photo examples of the design of exclusively interior topiary (scroll through!).

Step 2. Prepare materials

To make a topiary with your own hands, you will need:

• Styrofoam ball with a diameter of 8-12 cm(available at many stationery and art stores) or floral foam ball (available at gardening and flower shops).

If desired, the ball can be made independently from polystyrene foam, the same floral foam, polyurethane foam, papier-mâché, etc. However, the base of the crown can be not only in the shape of a ball, but also in the form of a heart, a star, a number, a letter, an animal figurine and etc.

• Crown decor - depending on your idea, use flowers, satin ribbons, organza, coffee beans, banknotes, etc.
• Trunk - it can be made from a dry and clean branch, a simple pencil or any other stick. In addition, a tall candlestick can replace the trunk and pot.
• Barrel decor- the trunk can be at least covered with a matte varnish or painted. And as a maximum - wrap one or two tapes.
• Planter - It is most convenient to pour the mixture into a clay pot, but any pretty cups, mugs, vintage buckets, etc. will also work.
• Fixing mixture- it is best to make a do-it-yourself topiary with a mixture of alabaster, as it quickly hardens, almost does not crack and is cheap. You can also use cement-sand mortar, gypsum or putty. However, not only binder mixtures can fix a tree in a pot, but also the same foam, floral foam or stones.
• Everything for mixing- container, water, stick, etc.
• Decor for masking the fixing mixture– to create an imitation of soil cover, it is best to use natural materials: dry moss, small pebbles, expanded clay, sisal fiber. Artificial moss and stones are also suitable. In the pots of "edible" topiary, you can put sweets and dragees.
• Glue gun and some glue sticks- if necessary, it can be replaced with glue like "Moment", but it's best not to do this, since the glue in the gun is more convenient, and most importantly, it allows you to remove random "cobwebs".
• Scissors or cutter.
• Tailor's studs with a very small head(optional, used in addition to or instead of glue, for example, for fastening beads).
• Side cutters or nippers for cutting the trunk or any decorative elements.

At the preparatory stage, divide the decorative details for the crown into groups - for example, large, medium and small. So it will be more convenient for you to alternate the decor and distribute it evenly over the ball.

Step 3Create the Crown

First, you need to mark the ball - mark the place for attaching the trunk and mark the border around it, beyond which you do not need to go for some time, sticking the decor. Thanks to this technique, in the future you can easily fix the barrel in the ball without ruining the decor.

As soon as the glue warms up, proceed to the design of the ball in the following order: “trying on” the part without glue - applying glue to the right place - fixing the part. Remember that you need to act quickly so that the glue does not have time to soak into the foam. That is why the decor is better to apply and try on first.

Here are a few more nuances:

• You need to stick the decor on the ball, starting with large elements and ending with small ones. For example, if you are making artificial flower topiary, first glue the largest buds on the ball, then the medium ones, and only then the small flowers and additional beads.
• Some decor can be attached to the ball with tailor's studs. But it is best to combine carnations with glue.
• If some details have wire bases (for example, the same artificial flowers), then about 2 cm should be left from their “tails”. Then you can not only glue the decor, but also stick it into the ball.
• To make the white base ball less noticeable in the gaps between the glued parts, it can be painted to match the decor.

Now we need to work with the trunk. As already mentioned, making it with your own hands is not at all difficult from a branch, pencil or any stick.

If you use a branch, then you can not paint it, but only cover it with a matte varnish so that the natural beauty of the tree is visible. If you use a wooden stick, then it can only be slightly tinted, artificially aged, etc. If you want to completely mask the surface of the trunk, then you can wrap satin ribbons, fabric, paper, rope around it, or completely paint it.

What length should it be? Since the barrel deepens both into the pot and into the ball, its length can be calculated using the following formula:

• Stem length = 1/3 ball diameter + pot height + desired stem length between crown and pot.

To fix the barrel, you need to make a hole in the ball with a depth of about 2-3 cm at the marking site with an awl and a knife (depending on its size). When the hole is ready, fill its bottom with hot glue and put the crown on the trunk until it stops. Then continue to hold the barrel and gradually fill the hole with glue around the barrel.

• Keep in mind that the hot glue will melt the styrofoam and deepen the hole even more. To prevent the trunk from going deeper into the crown by more than 1/3 of its diameter, small pieces of paper can be laid between the layers of glue.

As soon as the barrel is fixed in the ball, mask the attachment point with decor.

Step 5. Prepare the binder mixture and fix the tree in the pot

It's time to "plant" the resulting tree in a pot. For this you need:

• Stepping back from the edge of the pot about 2.5 cm, put a mark - the mixture will be poured to this level. If there is a hole in the bottom of the pot, you need to cover it with tape or hot glue.

• Dilute the mixture according to the manufacturer's instructions and fill the pot with it.
• Align and fix the topiary in the pot, holding its stem until the mixture hardens.
• Leave the mixture overnight or overnight until completely dry.

Hint: As already noted, it is best to use alabaster as a binder mixture. To fill 1 medium pot, it is necessary to dilute approximately 1 kg of alabaster with 600 ml of water. The mixture is kneaded for about 1-2 minutes until the consistency of thick sour cream, and then quickly poured into a pot and the topiary is fixed in it for 2-3 minutes.

Hooray! The topiary is almost ready, it remains only to create an imitation of soil in a pot and mask the fixing mixture. If you are using sisal fiber (see photo), shells, artificial grass or moss, then they need to be fixed a small amount glue.

Master class 1. Corrugated paper topiary

Topiary with paper flowers is especially suitable for decorating a festive table or festive decoration interior. So, for example, this rose topiary was made for Valentine's Day.

Materials:

• Base ball with a diameter of 12 cm;
• Corrugated (crepe paper) of medium density (corrugated paper in the form of a tape is used in the master class, but you can use regular rolls);
• Floral foam bars and/or any fixative mixture (see basic instructions);
• Planter or flowerpot for the base of the topiary;
• The trunk is about 30 cm long;
• Dry moss for pot decor;
• Ribbon for decorating the trunk;
• Glue gun.

Step 1. Cut the corrugated paper into strips 60 cm long and about 4.5-5 cm wide. If the paper is too thick and hard, knead the strips a little to make them more plastic.

Step 2. Now you need to roll the resulting ribbons into rosebuds. This is done very simply, just a couple of workouts and the principle becomes clear. Take one of the resulting paper ribbons and fold it 1/3 as shown in the photo below.

Then fold one end of the ribbon diagonally at a 45-degree angle and start rolling it into a roll. After three turns, you will get the core of the bud. Now wrap the free end to the outside, and continue to turn the core of the rose - voila, you have the first petal.

Step 4. Once the crown is completely covered with roses, attach the stem to it (see Basic Instructions). In this master class, the barrel was pre-painted with white spray paint.

Step 6 Lay dry moss on the "soil" and glue it in some places with hot glue. And finally, tie a bow on the trunk.

The following selection of photos presents other topiary design ideas that you can do with your own hands according to this master class, not only from corrugated paper, but also from satin ribbons, tissue paper, etc.

By the way, not only roses can be made from paper, but also lush peonies or hydrangeas. Methods for making such flowers are easy to find on the Internet.

Initially, a beautifully trimmed bush or tree was called a topiary. Gradually, the concept began to be applied to decorative, beautifully designed trees that serve to decorate the interior. There is an opinion that the presence of a topiary in the house brings joy and good luck, and if it is decorated with coins or banknotes, then well-being. Therefore, it is often called the "tree of happiness."

Topiaries as a decorative element have gained popularity. Almost every housewife wants to get such a tree for the house. This desire is feasible, and for its fulfillment you do not need to go to the store, since everyone can make a topiary with their own hands.

You can create "trees of happiness" from different materials. Their crowns can be decorated with artificial flowers made of paper, organza or ribbons, coffee beans, pebbles, shells, dried flowers and sweets. Topiary can look like a real plant or take on bizarre shapes. Appearance trees will depend only on your tastes and imagination.

Topiary making

Topiary consists of three elements, on the basis of which they are created different types trees - a crown, trunk and pot.

Crown

More often, the crown for the topiary is made round, but it can also be of other shapes, for example, in the form of a heart, a cone and an oval. To make it, you can use different ways, we will introduce you to the most popular:

• The basis of the crown from newspapers. You will need a lot of old newspapers. First, take one, unfold and crumple. Then take the second, wrap it around the first, crumple again, then take the third. Keep doing this until you get a tight ball of the required diameter. Now you need to fix the base. Cover it with a sock, stocking or any other fabric, sew the base, and cut off the excess. You can use another method. Wrap the newspaper tightly with cling film, forming a ball, then wrap it on top with thread and cover with PVA.
• Crown base made of polyurethane foam. Using this method, the crown can be given different shapes and sizes, for example, a heart topiary. Squeeze out the required amount of mounting foam into a tight bag. Let her dry. Then get rid of the polyethylene. You will end up with a shapeless piece of foam. Taking advantage stationery knife, start to cut off all the excess little by little, giving the base the desired shape. Such a blank is convenient for work, decorative elements will be glued to it and you can easily stick pins or skewers into it.
• Foam core base. With such a basis for the topiary, as with the previous one, it is convenient to work. You will need an appropriately sized piece of Styrofoam with which to pack the appliances. It is necessary to cut off all unnecessary from it and give it the desired shape.
• Papier-mâché base. You can create a perfectly round ball for a topiary using the papier-mâché technique. You will need balloon, toilet or other paper and PVA glue. Inflate the balloon to the desired diameter and tie off. Pour PVA into any container, then, tearing off pieces of paper (it is not recommended to use scissors), stick layer by layer on the ball. To make the base strong, the layer of paper should be about 1 cm. After the glue has dried, you can pierce and pull the balloon through the hole in the base of the crown.
• Other fundamentals. As a basis for the crown, you can use ready-made balls sold in stores, foam or plastic balls and Christmas toys.

Pot

Any container can be used as a topiary pot. Suitable, for example, flower pots, cups, small vases, jars and glasses. The main thing is that the diameter of the pot should not be larger than the diameter of the crown, but its color and decor may be different.

Decorating and assembling the topiary

In order for the topiary to be stable, it is necessary to fill the pot with filler. For this, alabaster, polyurethane foam, gypsum, cement or liquid silicone are suitable. You can use foam, foam rubber, cereals and sand.

To assemble the topiary, fill the pot to the middle with filler, stick the prepared decorated trunk into it and put the crown base on it, securely fixing it with glue. After that, you can start decorating the topiary. To attach the elements to the crown, use a special glue gun, if you don’t have one, use super glue or PVA. At the final stage, place decorative elements, such as pebbles, beads or shells, in a pot on top of the filler.

) - these are decoratively trimmed trees and shrubs, giving them a crown different forms. Our tree is artificial, so the "haircut" will be made from improvised materials that are appropriate in your interior.

Any interior will sparkle in a new way if it is decorated with a topiary tree - a chic decor in the hand-made style.

The tree of happiness, as it is also commonly called, symbolizes success, prosperity, health.

To create a tree - topiary, you can use a wide variety of materials. For example: fresh and artificial flowers, fabric, sisal, paper, cones, shells, Easter eggs, ribbons, fruits and coffee beans.

The materials and colors of the tree should match the style of the interior and complement it. Your imagination, of course, will tell you many more options and their combinations.

Do-it-yourself tree of happiness

The topiary may look like a real tree, but it can also take on unusual, fantastic shapes and colors. Imagination will tell you what exactly your tree of happiness should be.

The main parts of your tree will be the crown, trunk and pot. Please note that the size of the pot should not exceed the size of the crown ball, otherwise the topiary will lose its decorative effect and style.

Topiary from stones. A handmade tree of happiness will become your talisman to attract happiness, love, health or good luck. Pebble leaves have Qi energy, which affects a person:

• turquoise- helps in love affairs, establishes peace in the family, reconciles enmity
• rhinestone- balances emotions, reproduces, activates, saves energy
• lapis lazuli- brings prosperity, luck and success, increases physical strength and creative activity
• malachite- increases spiritual strength, brings good luck in business, creates harmony between the sexes
• nephritis- protects from the evil eye, strengthens vitality, ensures longevity and family well-being
• amber- improves mood, enhances intuition, counteracts evil forces.

Trunk

The trunk for a tree of happiness can be made from wire, wooden skewers, a beautifully curved branch. For a good decorative effect, it is wrapped with a suitable material, twine, cord or painted.

It is desirable that the stem be long, which will emphasize the structure of the topiary. A short barrel will not look impressive enough. To make the tree of happiness stable, secure the ends of the trunk well in the crown and pot.

Crown ball

Let's tell a secret: to create a ball for the crown, you need a ball! You can make it from: foam, floral sponge, wire, a ball of any material, crumpled paper wrapped with tape.

The crown ball can be decorated with flowers, pebbles, shells, coffee and bean grains, drying, corrugated paper, cocktail umbrellas, colorful napkins and much more.

Pot base

The pot for your tree can be anything, and not even a pot. And yet, most often it is a beautiful pot, decorated with your own hands. So that the crown does not outweigh the pot, and the product does not fall, it is necessary to weight it.

You can fill the pot with a solution of cement, gypsum or alabaster and insert the trunk into it until it hardens, you can fill it with gravel or pebbles, decorative stones. If the pot is already heavy enough, you can fill it with a floral sponge or polyurethane foam, into which you can easily insert the stem.

Pebbles, glass, sand, shells, sisal - are needed in order to decorate the base of the topiary. The selected material is simply glued on top of the hardened solution.

Topiary from coffee beans

seasonal compositions.

Autumn. A beautiful, bright and juicy tree of happiness will come from fruits and berries. Of course you are using artificial apples, pears, oranges and bunches of grapes, but such a topiary will look charming!

You can add decor autumn leaves, viburnum or rowan berries, cute birds and ladybugs.

Easter. The Easter tree is a symbol of happiness, well-being and prosperity. Spend a little time creating it, and your home will be transformed for a long time, because after the holiday is over, the tree will become a stylish accessory.

Summer. Bright greenery, inflorescences of field and garden flowers, butterflies and grasshoppers - this is the decor of a summer topiary tree. Juicy colors of green shades will be the perfect basis for your inspiration.

Winter. There are a lot of ideas for a winter tree of happiness, because winter is full of holidays: Christmas, New Year, St. Valentine's Day. The crown of such a topiary can be issued spruce branches, cones, fluffy white pom-poms resembling snowballs, snowflakes.

Decorate the tree with bells, figurines of fairies, Santa Claus, snowmen, hearts, Christmas balls ... And if you just stared at the blizzard outside the window, wrapping yourself in a warm blanket, create a felt topiary. Very cozy!

Published by DecorateMe. Updated 21 Feb 2019 .