How to Make a Topiary for a Mantle

A home's fireplace mantle can often be its focal point. Many times, a mantle is adorned with artful, decorative items that give presence to a room and help define its theme. One such decorative item is a topiary, which is often placed on a mantle (or on opposite sides of a mantle) to balance a larger piece in the center of the mantle, such as a painting, wreath or mirror. Mantle topiaries are simple to make and allow you to incorporate your own personal style. Here is a simple process for making a basic mantle topiary.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 5-inch terra cotta pot Gold or metallic spray paint Fine-grit sandpaper 4- to 5-inch round foam ball in green or brown Dry-hard clay Heavy sticks from outside Hot glue gun and glue sticks Spanish moss Flower picks Berry stems Heavy-duty floral wire Pine cones and other natural elements Raffia

1. Spray a 5-inch terra cotta pot with gold or metallic spray paint outside or in a well-ventilated area. After the pot is dry, rub a few areas of the pot with fine-grit sandpaper to achieve a slightly worn, weathered look.

2. Select three 12- to 14-inch sticks from outside to use as the tall part of your topiary. Choose sticks that are hearty and will not break easily. Tie the three sticks together at the center with raffia to form a rustic bow.

3. Fill about 4 inches of the terra cotta pot with dry-hard clay, which dries fairly quickly and is available at most craft stores. When the clay starts to solidify, poke the tops of your sticks into the bottom of your green or brown foam ball. Then insert the bottoms of your sticks deep into the clay mixture. Allow time for the clay to harden and fully solidify per the instructions on your dry-hard clay bag.

4. After your topiary is completely dry, lightly hot-glue Spanish moss all over the foam ball until it is totally covered. Add floral picks and berry stems to your topiary by poking the picks/stems into the foam ball. Arrange them in a design that suits your taste.

5. Wrap the bottoms of pine cones with heavy-duty floral wire. Secure the pine cones to the topiary by poking the attached floral wire into the foam ball. Repeat this process with any other natural embellishments that you want to add to your topiary.

6. Continue adding floral picks, berry stems and other decorative items until you have completely covered the foam ball. When you are finished decorating your topiary, hot-glue Spanish moss to the top of the clay pot where you inserted your sticks.

Tips & Warnings

• If you cannot find a green or brown foam ball, spray a white foam ball with green or brown spray paint. It often looks quite nice to make two matching topiaries to place on opposite sides of your mantle.