Topiary ("tree of happiness") - a popular decorative ornament. Its history goes back thousands of years and it began with the usual cutting of bushes. It is believed that topiary brings good luck to the owners of the house. Some make out a tree with coins and banknotes to attract financial success. The artificial tree is a universal decorative element that is relevant in any interior throughout the year and especially during the holiday season. It is not necessary to buy it in the store. Own creative "turn" unremarkable objects in the details of beautiful design. Topiary in the form of a brilliant multi-colored tree is appropriate in almost any room, regardless of the functional purpose and execution style. This decor item is not only beautiful, but also practical - it will not break with one blow. A do-it-yourself topiary is a great birthday present.
Topiary: the history of
The initial stage of the development of topiary art is considered to be the Antique Age. Gardeners wealthy residents of the Roman Empire - one of the first masters of this decorative genre. They were called so-topiary. They made crowns of patterns, animals and abstract forms, which for that time was an unusual phenomenon. The historian Pliny claimed that Calven was the first gardener-topiary — one of Caesar's courtiers. However, modern scholars have speculated that the Romans took over the skills of the masters of West Asia and Egypt. Several centuries after the fall of Rome, art did not develop. The creators of the Renaissance brought it to a new level. From landscape design topiary gradually "moved" into decorative and applied arts. One of the alternative names - "European tree" indicates the focus of the topiary genre masters.
Basics of Topiariya
You can prepare the product with the help of such components as wire, floral material, foam ball (can be of other material), bamboo stick (wooden stick, stem of some plant), alabaster, pots and decorative ornaments. In the process, you will need pliers and scissors. Artificial flowers, braid, beads, decorative stones are used as decoration. To fix the tree, it must be fixed in a pot with plaster (alabaster). The consistency of the composite material should be thick. After pouring into the pots, the improvised trunk is immediately inserted and fixed. Next, cut floral material. Its fragments are fixed on the ball with the help of a wire. The optimum diameter of the sphere is 12 cm. When the ball is covered completely, proceed to the decoration with decorative elements. It remains only to fix the crown on the axis. It will take glue, preferably hot.
Crown
To create the top of the topiary you will need wire and glue. Crown decorated with decorative inclusions, emphasize the bows and figurines of birds. Among the variety of forms most often found round and wide spreading. The spherical base is suitable in both cases. A sprawling crown is made from several balls. The basics are performed in different ways. One of them involves the use of threads and newspapers. At first, they compress one newspaper, then another one is added to it, and a stable construction of the necessary dimensions gradually forms. It is fastened with thread, if necessary, with glue. Another way: block the foam break into small pieces, after which they are glued. To use foam, you will need a bag and a stationery knife to give the desired shape, round or non-standard. In the papier-mache technique, the crown can be made from a balloon, glue and paper.
A list of some elements that can be used to crown:
- cones;
- soft Christmas toys;
- balls.
Trunk
In addition to straight trunks, they also make curved and double. It is desirable that the width was small. Improvised barrel is usually made of thin wooden sticks. Suitable tools such as twigs, pencils, sticks, stalks will do. Curved objects and sturdy wires make the trunks of irregular shape. They are left in the original color or dyed, wrapped with colored fabrics.
The trunk is trimmed with artificial leaves, "fruits" or left without additional elements. Smooth barrel can be made from bamboo sticks for sushi. To create a complex pattern imitating branching, several fragments of wire and tape are used. If you fasten three pieces of wire with adhesive tape and rotate them in different directions, you get an interesting base for a wide crown.
Base
The lower part is a regular pot, its imitation or any other container. Glasses, jars, vases, bowls can perform the role of the base. Dressing and color are selected at its discretion, but you must adhere to the main rule - the diameter of the base is less than that of the crown. Gypsum is mainly used as a filler for the container and trunk lock. A small pot for light topiary can be filled with sand. To fill a large container, small stones will fit, the edges will need to be tamped down with paper. Also used foam. There are other, less traditional ways of filling. Examples: the use of papier-mâché masses, fastening structures with clay, glass, clay, earth. Topiar containers with pasta of different shapes or cereals look distinctive.
Even a durable pot can crack from the plaster filler, so it is worth putting a small sponge or piece of foam in it!
Decor and assembly options
All topiary have common features. The presence of the lower part as a clamp, the column itself and the top is obligatory. The role of the basis for the upper part in the form of a crown is played by a ball or another design. However, the top can also be performed in the form of a flower, animal or abstraction. Trunks may be several. They are straight and curved. Capacity for fastening the trunk filled with plaster or other composite materials, decorated with several decorative elements. Topiary decorated with various fruits, lionfish, sprigs, beads, gold thread, gold leaf, color ribbons, nets, sticks. You can trim the crown with the help of boxwood leaves, banknotes and coins, living plants and flowers, soft Christmas toys, candy, paper, felt, various compositions, ribbons, napkins and fruits of trees. Subjects can be coordinated with certain holidays.
From coffee beans
Selected coffee beans, barrel, containers for kneading and fixing, scissors, tape, glue gun, orb with a diameter of 8 cm will be needed. Although it is easier to glue the grains with stripes down, it is better to direct them outwards. Therefore, it is recommended to adhere to the following algorithm: first lay the layer in strips down, and in the formed dimples lay out the grains turned in the opposite direction. The coating will be without gaps. The next step will be filling the tank with composite and mounting the barrel. After hardening the mixture proceed to the surface design. It can be trimmed in a different manner or in the same way as a ball. At first one layer of grains is glued with strips down, then the top one in the opposite direction. The top of the barrel is smeared with glue, the crown is fixed on it. It is necessary to wrap something light and decorate.
Of cones
Kidneys must be harvested and processed. Detergent removes dirt, the remnants of the resin is removed with cotton sticks. A solution of vinegar will help remove the smallest insects. You will need all the basic components that are used to create topiary and, in addition, thick threads, needles and branches of a plant (in most cases, choose thuja twigs). Cones should be approximately the same size, rounded and fairly open (for example, pine). Not revealed enough to fix with pliers or placed in the oven. With the help of glue and threads of a kidney fix on the prepared sphere. In the classic version, the bumps "look" out, but the topiary with the opposite location of the kidneys looks no worse. The ball is decorated with golden elements, animal figures, and the fruits of other trees - acorns and chestnuts.
The cones that are most suitable for topiary decoration:
- Pine;
- Cedar.
From the decorative point of view, the cones of the Siberian cedar look very beautiful.
From napkins
You will need a set of such components as a stapler, multi-colored napkins of different sizes, wire, one or more sticks, spherical shape, pot, beads, ribbon. Of napkins usually make flowers, less often - various figures.
You will need to fasten several napkins in the center (or one large, folded several times). After that a circle is cut out of them. The edges are smooth or wavy. Irregularities will help create chaotic petals. The cuts will make them more voluminous and fluffy. After raising each layer will get a shape, more and more like a flower. To finish a ball with a diameter of 20 cm, you will need about thirty such elements. Attach them with glue and wire. It should be remembered that in order to recreate the natural size of the flower, you will need circles about 10 cm wide. Add green foliage of fragments fastened or glued in the form of a leaf to the flowers.
Satin ribbons
To decorate the crown will need at least ten elements. A satin ribbon or several ribbons of different colors are cut into equal lengths. Fit and material with a pattern. The segments are folded in half, and lay on each other in the form of a symmetrical flower, the middle is fixed with a thermogun or stitched.
You can do this with a single ribbon, gradually folding it in a circle into a flower shape. The loose ends are left under the center. It is more difficult to create a sunflower from ribbons: 15 cm lengths are folded in half and curved to form a loop when connecting the ends. It will take several dozen of these elements. After that, they are connected to the center. It is recommended to make two rows of petals. The middle of a sunflower is made out of seeds or coffee beans. The second option is better, because it takes less time.
Corrugated paper
Stripes are cut out of the sheets about half a meter in length and 3-5 cm wide. To give shape, the upper corner is bent, after which a second, full bend is made. With one hand you need to hold the top, and the other to raise the bottom. Twisting movements are made. When the strip is folded into a tube, it will be necessary only to remake this form in a rose. The basis of the crown is made of newspapers. They fold into a ball. Spherical design is fastened with twine, later you will need to do the finishing of roses. The next stage is the installation of the barrel in pots. It must be inserted into the foam and pour alabaster. The resulting surface is then decorated. As decorating elements, you can choose small branches of living plants. The next step is to attach the roses to the ball with pins or hot glue. They can be placed in even circles or in chaotic rows.
Out of felt
It will take material of different tones for flowers and matter of green color for leaves. Additional materials and devices should be ribbons, braid, cans with acrylic paint, a beautiful container for the base, a wand, a foam plastic blank in the form of a ball, large beads and other decorative elements.
To decorate a large ball, you will need seven sheets of felt, including two green, the rest in different colors. The leaves are cut out immediately in the desired shape, and the flowers are created from round fragments. Spiral cuts, glue and beading will give the flowers a final look. It is easy to create a ball krone from crumpled paper. To secure enough glue, thread or tape. After that, fill the bottom of the composition - the pot. Then the bottom of the design is decorated with decorative stones, the top is decorated with ribbons, the core connecting the two parts is painted from a can.
To fill the pot are needed:
- stones;
- cotton wool;
- gypsum.
Of candy
Overdue sweets can be used as a topiary. If the idea is to make fresh candies detachable from the composition and to eat, then they should be attached carefully and with a minimum amount of glue. For decoration of the top of the topiary, any lollipops, marmalade, truffles, marshmallows, long candies, sweets on a stick (Chupa-Chupsa, etc.) will be useful. The optimal material for the ball under the crown is foam, suitable balls of papier-mâché. The role of the base can perform a pot of plaster or polyurethane foam. It fix the leg. The last stage of the assembly is the installation of the crown. The rod is thrust almost to the center of the ball. Finishing stage is the most interesting. The barrel is decorated with shiny coatings, bows, glitter, ribbons. The pot is decorated with large beads, coins, stones, live moss.
From flowers
This product will be a great gift for Valentine's Day. You will need flowers themselves, as well as ribbons, a floral sponge, decorative moss, a wooden stick, a putty, a plastic bag, a flowerpot. The inside of the pot is covered with a package. Plaster is poured in there, the remaining space is then decorated with decorative moss. After installing the rod, the composition should be left for ten hours. When the composite material completely hardens, it will be necessary to remove the protruding edge of the bag. Next, a small layer is cut from the floral sponge. It is moistened with water and put in a pot. Decorative moss is laid on this wetted surface. The rest of the sponge will serve as the basis for the crown. The barrel in the form of a wooden stick is fixed in its center. With the help of glue and tape, all flowers are attached to the crown. The composition must be decorated with decorative elements.
To use topiary as a gift, you need to collect an odd number of flowers.
From coins and bills
It is sometimes called the "money tree", but the topiary has no relation to this plant with the same name. In order to create a tree, you will need: a foam ball, a piece of wire, strong wire, scissors, alabaster, glue gun, satin ribbon, sisal fiber, a vase, copies of banknotes (you can buy at toy stores or order online). The bills are folded so as to form a petal with additional “entrails”. Petals are folded into flowers, five in each. They are glued or stitched, and coins are glued to the center. Then the "cash" flowers are installed on the foam ball.
To fix the trunk, the vase is filled with alabaster, diluted in water in the same proportions. The consistency of the mixture should resemble sour cream. Then several pieces of wire are inserted into the vase to imitate the stems. Capacity is decorated with sisal.
From natural materials
In the process of creating such products implement their own creative ideas. In general, it is recommended to use the following components: chestnuts, acorns, shells, stones, leaves, dried fruit, a large paper container with a beautiful pattern, twigs, gypsum, paper sheets. First, a crown is created - the paper is curled into a spherical shape and held together with a thread. A hole is made in the ball. Hot glue is poured in there, a rod is inserted. The lower part is formed from a large paper cup and plaster with which it will be filled. The core is fixed in the container and waited until it hardens. The next stage is decorating. The trunk is better to decorate the entire length. Krona can be decorated in the theme of any season. It is recommended to put together elements that symbolize different natural elements. Any shapes and textures are perfectly combined:
- fruits of trees;
- fragments of vegetation;
- pieces of coral;
- multi-colored stones.
In the technique of quilling
The following materials and tools are needed: tapes, napkins of different colors, toothpicks, foam plastic, glue, pipe fragment, spherical shape, pot, ruler, colored paper. The first stage - cutting strips of sheets of paper. The ideal length of the strips is 30 cm, width - 1.5 cm. Each segment is cut into tinsel and glued along the edges with another one. The color of the bands may be different or match. All the strips are twisted around the toothpicks into small scrolls. Each of them turns out on one side. Rugged flowers are obtained, which is a characteristic feature of the quilling technique. Then they are glued to the ball with hot glue. The ball for the crown do their own hands, or buy the usual plastic. Before letting the crown dry, it is fixed in the air. The installation of a ball on a pipe fragment and fixation in a pot with foam plastic will be required.
Topiary for the New Year
Such a tree can replace a holiday tree; blend harmoniously with her in the interior. The Christmas theme is very bright and positive, so the topiary base is covered with expensive material, preferably brilliant.
To create the crown is usually used Christmas toys, spherical and elongated, ordinary and unbreakable, hard and soft. Other Christmas accessories will also be useful: bells, cones, candies, deer, packages. Желательно, чтобы такой топиарий не падал, поэтому конструкцию надежно закрепляют в горшке. Для этого понадобится плотный наполнитель для основания и широкий ствол из толстого картона.Using a regular foam ball as a base for a crown is not the best solution. It is necessary to purchase a floral oasis. All elements are fixed on it using pre-glued toothpicks.
Autumn Topiary
It is necessary to acquire such materials as plaster, glue (or glue gun), a small cardboard box, foam plastic, twine, paper napkins, wand, old newspapers, decorative fabric. From newspapers is a ball It is rewound with threads, pasted over with napkins. You need to wait a few hours for the workpiece to dry.
The role of the trunk will perform a long stick. In order to improve the aesthetics, it is wrapped with twine. The lower part, stand, is made of a small square box. Better that it was a candy box. Inside it is necessary to place a container with solid walls. It is filled with plaster, then the trunk is fixed. Then the ball is put on the rod and covered with acorns, chestnuts, etc. The free space between the walls of the container and the box is filled with decorative elements.
The main materials for the decoration of the crown should be:
- chestnuts
- acorns
- yellowed leaves
- lionfish.
Topiary in the marine theme
The outer shell of the crown should create beads, shells, stars, ribbons, solid objects of organic origin (fragments of coral). The barrel is made of thick wire, dry twigs or pencils. Its better to wrap colored matter. The shading range is not limited, but in order to preserve the association with the sea coast, it is recommended to stop at white and blue colors, less often - green.
Useful materials such as polyurethane foam, silicone, pebbles, sisal fibers, organza flaps, sea salt, newspapers, threads. The basis for the crown is made of crumpled newspapers. The walls of the base - a pot, envelop with an organza flap. The barrel is wrapped with twine (then it is decorated). The upper end is smeared with glue for the subsequent installation of a newspaper ball. The bottom of the rod is fixed in a pot. After that trim the crown and decorate all the trees.
Wedding Topiary
Such decoration is usually put on the wedding table. It is usually made from expensive materials that correspond to the status of the event. The recommended color scheme includes white, blue and red. An important part of wedding topiary is the rod. An iron barrel of white color with artistic forging should attract attention against the background of the rest of the decor. First, prepare the capacity: it is decorated with lace or decoupage technique is used. The rod is inserted into the container, and after the filler is set, the surface is trimmed with beads, pearl stones and artificial grass. Organza make flowers. They are decorated with beads and attached to the ball to form the crown. The upper part is attached with a glue gun. From this moment begins the final stage of decoration - decoration with small elements.
Easter Topiary
The crown of such a product is trimmed with artificial flowers, colorful eggs, greens, butterflies, and balls of thread. The basis for the top can be made in different ways: from newspapers, foam, foam; use a floral sponge. First of all prepare the basis for all design. It may be an empty tin can. A piece of foam is put into it so that the walls withstand the pressure of the composite, which will be poured later. To create a trunk will be useful wooden skewers or more original blank - Salex. If to stop on the first variant, the twine and the glue gun will be necessary to fasten sticks in one rack. Before filling the jar with plaster, the lower end of the finished barrel is smeared with glue and pressed into the piece of foam. After filling the vessel with composite material, proceed to the installation of the crown.
Conclusion
Incompleteness in the interior, the approach of the holidays, the desire to save or show creativity - a small list of reasons to do needlework. Master classes with simple and clear instructions will help beginners to take the first steps in handmade, in particular, in topiary art that has been popular in recent years. To create a beautiful topiary with your own hands, you do not need to buy bulky tools, spend a lot of time. In just a few hours of work, you will get a decent sample of arts and crafts.
To make a unique topiary will help a large variety of themes, forms, materials, finishes and decorative elements. Visual examples on images and videos will help determine your option. All topiarii consist of upper, lower parts, as well as one or more trunks, the rest of the parameters are not limited.
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