If you make one, please send me a photo and I will post them! You can email it or post on my facebook page.
Magical Twiggy Ceiling
Supplies:
about a dozen branches: 4-6 feet, birch, alder, beech, or any twiggy hardwood (that's a word, right?)
4 long branches for cross braces
pruners
wire
wire cutter
screws or hooks
white lights
clear glass ornaments
These directions are for a ceiling with beams.
Cross Braces
Measure the space between the beams, cut branches that are slightly longer. Have the pruners handy, you will have to trim branches as you go.
Attach four cross braces (two on either side of ceiling light) using screws or hooks and wire. On the fat end of the branch, we put the screw in through the branch and into the beam. On the skinny
end, we attached the screw to the beam and then wired it on. Make sure the cross braces are attached very securely.
Add Branches
Add the branches on either side of and facing the light. Cut off any shoots that grow up or down--you want the branches to lay as flat as possible. Weave the branches under one end of the cross brace and wire the other end in place. Keep adding branches, weaving them together until it looks nice and full. Cut off any twigs that are close to the light or that hang down too low. (My tall hubby always appreciates this). You will need a LOT of branches to fill a whole ceiling.
Add Lights
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| my helper--kitties were SO big eyed and excited when all those branches came in the house |
Now add mini white lights--don't be stingy with the lights! I used three 100-light boxes and could have used one more. I ran a white extenstion cord up the side of the wall, across the ceiling (attaching it in place).
Add Ornaments
Again--you will need a lot. I used a variety of clear glass, irridescent clear glass and frosted, clear stars, balls, sprirals, and snowflakes. (Michaels is a good place to find these inexpensively).
Turn off all the other lights in the house and there you have it--MAGIC!
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| my daughter, catching up on her Downton Abbey under the magic, twiggy lights |
11 comments:
So beautiful! Do you think I can do it without the beams for support? --Marcia
Marcia--I think so---you would have to attach the support branches to the ceiling though--into the studs. You don't want it to come crashing down on your head!
That is just the cutest idea! I am thinking of doing this as a permanent fixture in my studio, on the underside of a 2' wide bulkhead that runs the length of an 8' wall. It would offer nice gentle light over an area where there are two easy chairs. Thanks for sharing a great idea!
Carole--sounds like a great idea! Send me a photo when you're done. :-)
Hi Kristina - what a brilliant (insert chortle here) idea!
Thanks so much for sharing your how-to. Jeff and I have a bounty of branches on our property and the woods around our house - so this will be a fun and festive way to use them.
As we get closer to the longest night of the year, I can't think of a better way to bring more LIGHT into our universe.
Light and love from Port Townsend,
Frances
I love this idea - I'm definitely into decorating with branches... https://www.facebook.com/notes/elizabeth-field/out-on-a-limb/72625626137 (story) and https://www.facebook.com/dancingintheflow/media_set?set=a.1098233531001.17198.1081511255&type=3 (pictures)
Thank you for great information, keep posting.
Magical Lighting
Looks absolutely beautiful, did you treat the branches with anything to preserve?
My FH and I are doing this for our wedding reception. Thank you sharing the how to. You have made it so much easier.
Thank you again,
Tanya Luckman
Yep I've wanted to do this and thought I would get some real practical inspiration and how to's and this is exactly it! I will post photos when I am done. Love it!
You could also use cross wire.from one corner to the other and again across the middle and attach branches that way.
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