When searching for a holiday decoration idea, I usually search my bookshelves for the tried and true versions of Martha Stewart Living Magazine and her holiday DIY books for inspiration. This year, I found this simple but beautifully elegant idea on Martha’s website.
I love the “Shiny Natural Materials Ornament,” which uses natural materials from our surrounding landscape.
CREATING SHINY ORNAMENTS FROM NATURAL MATERIALS
To begin your holiday activity, search the woods and parks in North County for natural materials. What you are searching for is trees or shrubs that have unusual pods or leaves that have fallen to the ground or are easily accessible.
I found that the pods of a magnolia tree, acorns from a pin oak, or the seed pods of a bittersweet shrub will work for this project. My most unusual find was the pods of the Sweet Gum tree, which not only has a rather dangerous-looking round pod with prickly spikes but also has a long stem that makes the perfect hanging device.
One of my favorite shapes is the leaf of the Gingko tree, which looks like a flat butterfly. These amazing trees can be over one hundred years old, so if you have a friend or know of a specimen in a park, seek them out.
Pine cones are certainly more easily obtained in all parts of North County. As you drive through the older areas of your town, you might find a grove of towering pines, with the tallest found on properties of at least twenty years. The variety that is most successful for this project is the cone of the Coulter Pine or Douglas Fir, the tall standing varieties with long, airy needles and graceful branches.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR SHINEY ORNAMENTS
Natural materials: Gather all the natural materials you found in your search and place them on a large, clean table. Cover the table with a disposable cloth. This project is best done outdoors or in a garage.
Paint supplies: Two spray cans of Metallic Silver and Metallic Gold paint. Acrylic paint can also be used but must be of outdoor quality, such as those from Golden Paints, www.goldenpaints.com. Acrylic paint is used for painting by hand with a brush.
Cardboard boxes: Before spraying the paint, place a few of the natural materials in a small cardboard box to keep the paint from spreading all over the room. Ideally, this could be done outdoors or in a garage.
Process: Line your seeds and pods up in the box and spray each pod or leaf individually. Allow to dry, then turn over once or twice until all sides are covered. Poke the metal hanger through the top of the specimen and hang it on your tree or wreath.
LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS
I had the pleasure of working with a fellow horticulturist, Gary Barnum, at the Clark Foundation Greenhouse in Cooperstown, New York. He and his staff decorated the historical Main Street at Christmas, and his work became known all over the country.
According to Gary, “We really enjoyed creating an old-fashioned, but new holiday look at the same time. A horse chestnut or a walnut painted gold, with a few pomegranates placed on a traditional pine wreath, create a look at is memorable.”
Samples of his work can be found at www.thisiscoopertown.
Have fun creating your own holiday decorations, and send us pictures of your results! Contact me at [email protected]
Jano Nightingale is a horticulturist and Master Gardener who lives and works in Vista.
