Black Floral Mantle Decor

by JOANN |

Item # 262225213P193

Beginner 3-5 Hours

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

DIRECTIONS:

Estimate size of final arrangement. Choose live or dead branches based on horizontal and vertical dimensions. Branches with several twigs and an overall arched shape work best. Select more branches than needed for final arrangement.
Bring branches inside and test branches on mantle piece. Branches that balance on the mantle piece free of hanging fixtures are best for the horizontal section of the arrangement.
Select vertical branches, and trim twigs leaving 1/2"-1" stub. Use stubs to hang and balance the branches on the edge of the mantlepiece.
Use zip ties to connect horizontal branches into a grouping. Repeat with vertical branches. When the base structures are complete, take outside and spray paint on drop cloth. When dry, turn the branch groupings and spray any unpainted areas. Allow to dry.
Take branch arrangements inside and place on mantle piece. Attach floral picks using zip ties or floral wire as needed. Arrange horizontal and vertical groupings separately. If groupings don't stay balanced while arranging, attach floral picks on a flat surface. Trim excess ends of zip ties.
Do not cover the branches evenly with floral picks - use dense floral in the center of the arrangement and use smaller picks near the ends.
Use the natural curve of the branches to dictate the design, each arrangement will be unique.

JOANN HACKS:

If arrangement does not balance easily on mantlepiece, use framing wire and picture hooks to hang the arrangement from the wall. Wrap wire ends on sturdiest parts of horizontal branches, and zip tie the vertical arrangement to the horizontal arrangement. Use multiple hooks in multiple places if needed.