How to Flock an Artificial Tree
Adding flocking to your artificial Christmas tree gives the illusion that your tree bears the fruit of a freshly fallen snow. Unfortunately, pre-flocked trees can be rather costly. Instead of spending a ridiculous amount of cash on a pre-flocked tree, flock your own tree with homemade artificial snow. The handmade snow looks natural, doesn't require the messiness of spray flocking and is easy to create. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Artificial Christmas tree
- 2/3 cup liquid starch
- 2 to 4 tbsp. water
- Complexion soap
- Blue food coloring
- Hand grater
- Bowl
- Paintbrush
- Eggbeater or electric mixer
Instructions
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Instructions
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1
Grate roughly two cups of soap into a measuring cup.
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2
Combine soap flakes and liquid starch in a large mixing bowl.
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3
Beat the soap and liquid starch mixture with an eggbeater or electric mixer while gradually adding two to four tbsp. of water to the mixture.
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4
Add a drop of blue food coloring to give the flocking a slightly more icy color. Avoid adding too much blue food coloring as it will create an unrealistic look for your flocking.
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5
Continue to beat the mixture until it becomes stiff and thick. A runny mixture will be difficult to paint onto the tree. Strive for a mixture that resembles thick cake frosting. A thick, stiff mixture will ensure the flocking looks like thick snow once the mixture dries on your tree's branches.
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6
Place old newspapers or towels around and under the tree. This will keep the mixture from dropping onto the floor and creating an unnecessary mess.
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7
Paint the mixture onto your tree's branches using a small paintbrush. Begin with the top branches and work your way down. Focus on the top of the branch tips. Visualize where snow would fall on your tree as you paint so you can create a natural look with your flocking.
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8
Allow the mixture to dry.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Add fine glitter to your mixture to make your snow sparkle and glisten. Sift a small amount on each branch before the flocking dries. Avoid over-saturating the snow with glitter so your flocking maintains a natural look.
To give your tree a look that is even more natural, buy artificial berry and pine cone floral picks at a craft shop. Attach the picks to your tree's branches before applying your flocking. Paint the mixture onto the floral picks as you apply it to the rest of the tree.
