Four Seasonal Recipes for Perfect Manzanita Branch Centerpieces...
I. The Autumn Display Tree:
First I want to show you today how these branches can be used in different ways to create amazing autumn themed decorative results. An Autumn tree is best achieved using either natural branches, or a satin polyurethane finished manzanita display tree with a burlwood base.
(The satin polyurethane brings out the fall tones while keeping the non-glossy, natural look)
-Start by placing your tree in the center of a 16 to 24" long ovular display tray, setting the base directly upon the bottom of the tray and surrounding it with a 1 to 2 inch layer of multi-colored beans, indian corn, buckeyes, autumn leaves, fall themed potpourri, ect.
-Next decorate your branches with flowers, leaves (real or faux), pastel ribbons or beautiful fall themed jewelry.
II. The Winter Crystal Tree (Wedding Tree):
Start with a manzanita Branch, sandblasted, or painted white or silver. (White with light blue branch tips is also very nice) and place it in a small glass vase full of clear stones and marbles) If your looking to get very ambitious throw a little blue battery powered display L.E.D. in the bottom of your clear glass vase letting the blue light shine through the clear glass and stones.
(A Quick Note About Your Base or Vase: If you intend on hanging anything of significant weight on the tree I suggest finding a wide based vase to use for the sake of stability. Crystals can prove to be fairly weighty when you get 20 of them on a tree, so make sure the weight is well balanced and not liable to topple over in the middle of the event or ceremony. The rocks or marbles in the vase both serve to hold your branch upright and weigh down the vase upon the table.)
So you've set your branch in the vase, surrounded it with your heavy fill of choice, and now your ready to hang some winter upon it. Crystals are my favorite choice for this theme because they communicate such a stark, clear, elegance that speaks to the very soul of winter.
There are also other variations which carry their own special version of the winter flavor. You can hang votives, faux snowflakes, tensil, or even traditional ornaments on your trees for the holidays.
III. The Spring Flower Tree
The Spring Flower Tree is very versatile in the approach you can take.
This theme can be achieved with sandblasted branches, or any sprayed natural pastel color such as light blue or pink. Set the branches in a light colored or clear vase with easter grass or the light grassy or green fill of your choice, and hang something that reminds you of spring time- faux butterflies, flowers, or strands of pastel beads. This theme is easily combined with light colored mini-postcards for use as a springtime wedding wish tree.
The idea is to keep the tone light and fresh, while adding spring colors at every opportunity.
IV. The Summer Beach Tree
This is one of my personal favorites.
Much like the Autumn tree start with a large ovular, shallow display tray. Then take a nice dense sandblasted branch set on a sandblasted (unfinished) burlwood base, and set it in the tray. For this purpose you want to get a branch which is aged a little bit and well cured. This will cause it to turn an aged grayish tan white color when blasted (like driftwood) and an aged branch will have more wear and texture which goes well with the theme. Then we take white beach or play sand and fill the tray around burlwood base. Next take some seashells, seaweed, and/or beach themed potpourri. Try to integrate aqua colors somewhere, in either the shells, or other beach decor. If you can work a sand dollar or starfish into the sand somewhere it looks excellent. Next hang small seashells or strands of seashells draping from the branches. (This design is great for beach themed jewelry display)
I gurantee you will love this amazing summer theme!
For sandblasted manzanita branches and wedding displays visit http://manzanitadisplay.com
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