We spray painted a Natural Manzanita Branch a glossy red, combined it with a black ceramic vase, silver tray, black sand and the DIY hanging votive holders we made in an earlier post.
Here are some observations from our spray painting session. We painted both the Natural and Sandblasted Manzanita. The Sandblasted sops up the paint fast, and would be the best choice for a matte finish (such as if you are making "coral"). Also, as it is light in color, you'll likely need less paint to get the color you want.
The smooth bark on the Natural Manzanita keeps the paint from penetrating the branch and is what you'd want if you're going for a glossy look. We didn't prime the branch, but we probably should have as quite a few coats was necessary to get the color we were going for.
Lastly, may try using a paintbrush next time - with spray paint, more paint ends up missing the branch than hitting it (we may just use the paint brush to mop up the puddle of paint underneath the branch).
20 comments:
what a great idea! that looks stunning!
I just bought the 36"-42" sized branches. I would really like to duplicate the tree you have in this blog. Here's the thing.... WHERE did you find the vase!!! I have been looking EVERYWHERE and can't find a simple black vase (especially one that is sturdy enough!). Thanks for any help you may be able to provide.
Thanks for the order! We got that vase at Jamali Garden, our source for all things nice and simple - http://www.jamaligarden.com/all/cID_16.asp . For the display shown, we used the matte black rectangular vase measuring 3 inches or so wide. For the 36-42" size, you'll need something of a much larger width - the matte black cube shown here - http://www.jamaligarden.com/pID_16961.asp - might do the trick. In addition to vases, Jamali Garden has a lot of other supplies that may come in handy. - Justin
what size branches did you use for this design?
Hi, - Whoops, that's a significant omission! We used one rather oddly shaped 18-24" branch. - Justin
I'd really like to recreate this look for about 10 tables, but since you used an irregularly shaped branch, would this be possible? Thanks!
What made this branch different was its arching form. While branches that look like that are pretty rare, you should be able to make a similar display using more typical Manzanita Branches, although it won't have the same arching look.
First, i have to say that i fell in LOVE with this peice when i saw it...i have a few questions..i as well, am trying to duplicate your creation but in order for me to do that i was wondering
1) what size branch did you use in your peice?
2) what size vase did you use?
3) i know you mentioned that it would be difficult to find branches that all look like that, but i was reading some tips and noticed that if you soak the branches for a few hours they can be molded into that shape? if yes, would i soak it in warm water? do i put anything in the wateR?
lots of questions i know, but i need 65, and i love the abstract look of the floating candles and the arch...
please let me know as soon as you can, and keep the ideas coming, you're awsome!!
thanks!!
Hi Nikki - We used an 18-24" Natural Manzanita Branch in a vase about 3" wide from Jamali Garden - ttp://www.jamaligarden.com/all/cID_16.asp .
Manzanita definitely won't respond to soaking - the wood is rock hard! Mitsumata is the branch that can be most easily shaped - http://www.nettletonhollow.com/mitsumata.html .
Although you definitely won't be able to get 65 branches that arch like this one, you should still be able to approximate the stark look and feel of the display by using a single branch. I hope this helps!
- Justin
Was this branch painted? If so, what color was it painted?
Yes indeed, we painted it a glossy red. - Justin
Is that just one branch? Or several? How many branches did you use for this? It's beautiful and I would like something like this for centerpieces at our wedding.
That's just one (rather peculiarly shaped) branch! Although branches that arch like that are far and few between, what really makes the display is the emphasis on the form, which you can do with any branch. For a display like this, one branch is what you want - more than that the form of the branches will be less prominent.
did you get the silver tray from Jamali? I love the tray with sand. Beautiful job, very classy.
Yes indeed, the tray came from Jamali Garden (as did everything else but the paint and the branch). That place is a great resource!
Hi there! I was wondering where you got the hanging candle holders? If you made them, how did you go about it?
Thanks!
There's a link above the picture that is called DIY Hanging Votive Holders with directions on how they were made.
We made those using supplies we got from Jamali Garden - http://nettletonhollow.blogspot.com/2008/02/diy-hanging-votive-holders.html - in the "ingredients" list of that post are links straight to the pages on the Jamali Garden website with the supplies. They also have a larger selection of already made ones - http://nettletonhollow.blogspot.com/2008/02/diy-hanging-votive-holders.html
I love this look and very much want to duplicate it for my wedding, but I'm concerned about fire hazard. Thoughts?
Congrats on the wedding! You should use LED votives, which have gotten MUCH better in recent years.
Post a Comment