Galvanized Metal Tree Form | Pretty Handy Girl

Galvanized Metal Cone Tree | Pretty Handy Girl

Want to make a super cute and fast galvanized tree form? This little galvanized tree will fit in with some of your holiday vignettes, especially if you like the rustic look.

Rustic Metal Magnetic Window Frame | Pretty Handy Girl

Last year I had fun playing with DIY galvanized metal (otherwise known as aged quickly sheet metal). I made these cute galvanized magnetic windows. . .

Galvanized Metal Star Garland | Pretty Handy Girl

. . . and a galvanized star garland.

Galvanized Metal Star Garland | Pretty Handy Girl

After cutting out the star garland, I had some leftover galvanized metal. I decided to use it to make a galvanized tree form. Ready to learn how to make your own?

Materials:
(contains affiliate links)

Instructions:

Put on gloves when working with sheet metal. It’s a sharp material and can easily cut you.

Follow the instructions to age metal quickly in this tutorial. After the metal has aged and dried. Cut off a large corner from the sheet metal material.

Galvanized Metal Cone Tree | Pretty Handy Girl

Begin to manipulate the two corner edges rolling in toward each other.

Galvanized Metal Cone Tree | Pretty Handy Girl

Tightly roll the corner into a cone shape. Roll the metal tighter than you want the shape to appear.

Galvanized Metal Cone Tree | Pretty Handy Girl

Mark a straight line along the bottom edge of the cone shape to the height you want. Cut along the line with tin snips.

Galvanized Metal Cone Tree | Pretty Handy Girl

Set your galvanized tree form with a grouping of other tree forms or natural materials and enjoy!

Galvanized Metal Cone Tree | Pretty Handy Girl

Hope you have fun making a whole forest of galvanized trees. 😉

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DIY Copper Pipe Centerpiece | Pretty Handy Girl

DIY Copper Pipe Centerpiece | Pretty Handy Girl

I’m super excited to be back with another fun copper pipe tutorial for you to make for the holidays! Today let’s make this unique DIY Copper Pipe Centerpiece that acts as a candelabra . . .

copper-pipe-centerpiece-side-view

. . . or a floral centerpiece.

copper-centerpiece-flowers

This is such a versatile project that can be used for your dinner table, a wedding centerpiece or a vase to hold flowers. If you wanted to alter the design, you could shorten the center pipe and use for a pencil holder. Regardless of how you use it, this DIY Copper Pipe Centerpiece is sure to be a conversation starter!

copper-pipe-centerpiece-on-holiday-table

If you had fun getting used to using a Bernzomatic torch last week while making DIY Copper Ring Jewelry, then you’re going to love using a bigger torch to make this DIY Copper Centerpiece.

DIY Copper Ring Jewelry | Pretty Handy Girl

Not only that, you’ll be honing your soldering skills should you need to use them for a plumbing repair. I’m honored to be part of the Bernzomatic Torch Bearers program. Bernzomatic has sponsored this post to help you with some holiday decorating ideas.

Materials:

copper-centerpiece-materials

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Optional: Florist tubes

Cut List:

copper-pieces-cut-list-centerpiece

  • 2 – 2 3/8″ pipes
  • 4 – 2″ pipes
  • 1 – 7″ pipes
  • 2 – 5″ pipes
  • 1 – 4″ pipe

Instructions:

Cut your pipes to size. If you’ve never cut with a pipe cutter, you can watch this video to learn how.

Dry fit your pieces together as shown:

DIY Copper Pipe Centerpiece | Pretty Handy Girl

Then piece the centerpiece together completely as shown below. (The 4″ section with elbows connects the base pieces.)

dry-assemble-copper-centerpiece

The two 5″ pipes will not sit completely inside the “T” fittings. This will provide wiggle room to line up and assemble the top parts with the base. Feel free to adjust the 4″ base pipe until you fit everything together.

Sand all pipe ends with sandpaper.

Half Round Copper & Wood Side Table | Pretty Handy Girl

Pull apart the top and bottom of your centerpiece and place the base on your fireproof work surface to start. (I bought two paver blocks from Lowe’s to use for larger torch projects.)

copper-pipe-work-spot

Use the speed square to make sure all the pipes and fittings are plumb.

square-vertical-pipes

Apply a liberal amount of flux to all the connections.

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Start your Bernzomatic TS4000 Trigger Start Torch with the easy trigger start button. Heat each connection until the flux melts. Then hold the solder at the connection until the solder begins to flow. (You may need to solder one spot at a time or re-heat the solder and tilt the piece to help it flow around the connection.)

solder-vertical-pipe-pieces

Lift the base with gloves on or pliers and drop in the bucket of water to cool. Alternatively you can cool the pieces with a cold wet rag.

wipe-pipe-cold-rag-steam

Set the base aside and join the top assembly (1- 7″ pipe, 2 – 5″ pipes and 1 – 90Ëš T connector.) Repeat the process of applying flux, heating and spreading the solder.

solder-t-piece-copper-pipe

At this point your parts should be assembled like this:

half-assembled-pieces

Slide the two “T” connectors onto your soldered top assembly. Slide the “T” connectors onto the base. Center the 7″ pipe and make sure it is plumb.

level-vertical-pipe-candle-holder

Solder the connections around the two side “T” connectors. Your soldering is now done. Cool off the centerpiece with a cold wet rag or in the bucket of water.

soldered-copper-pipe-centerpiece

Don’t stress if your soldering joints aren’t beautiful, I’ll show you how to cover them. Sand the entire centerpiece to remove any heat marks.

sand-copper-pipes

File any bumpy solder until smooth.

DIY Copper Pipe Centerpiece | Pretty Handy Girl

Wipe off the centerpiece with a wet rag to remove any metal shavings and dust. Paint Modern Masters Metal Effects Primer on all the soldered joints. Let the primer dry and add a second coat.

paint-metal-effects-primer-onto-solder-joints

After the primer has dried, paint Modern Masters Metal Effects Copper Paint onto the primed solder joints. Feather the paint onto the copper pipes and cover any imperfections. Let dry and apply a second coat.

paint-metal-effects-copper

You are done! Time to show off your new DIY Copper Pipe Centerpiece! Add hand-dipped candles to the open fittings. For the center pipe, you’ll need to trim your candle and gently twist the candle into the pipe.

copper-pipe-centerpiece-on-holiday-table-2

If you want to use the centerpiece for a floral display, fill floral tubes with water and drop them into the openings. (Note: I slipped two 2″ copper pipe pieces into the shortest openings to hide the floral tubes. But, you could just add water to the centerpiece and put your flowers in directly.)

add-water-tubes

Add your flowers and enjoy!

copper-centerpiece-flowers

How fun is this DIY Copper Centerpiece? It would look great as a centerpiece for a rustic or industrial themed wedding or party! You could change the configuration of the pipes and fittings if you like.

copper-centerpiece-flowers-bernzomatic-3

Add four more extensions and fitting openings to create a beautiful menorah for Hanukkah!

Don’t walk, run to the plumbing section at your local hardware store and get creative!

copper-pipe-centerpiece-candleabra-lit-2

Until next time…

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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Bernzomatic. As a Bernzomatic Torch Bearer, I was provided complimentary torches and was compensated for my time and efforts. I was not told what to write. All opinions are my own. I am particular about the brands I represent and will always let you know when you are reading a sponsored post.

 

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Beautiful rustic DIY decor for any room in your home!

Hi everyone! This is Lindi, visiting again from Love Create Celebrate. We are in the thick of winter here, which means I spend my evening curled up under a blanket reading or dreaming up new DIYs. That’s where the idea for these simple Rustic Bark Vases came from. I love DIY decor that I can use all year long. Wouldn’t these be great with some fresh string flowers in them? I can’t wait to show you how easy they are to make!

Beautiful rustic DIY decor for any room in your home!

The hardest part of this tutorial is getting the bark. If you are collecting it off of fallen trees or tree branches, you can soak the bark in shallow, luke warm water to make it pliable, and then flatten it between cardboard sheets. Alternatively, you can buy sheets online through sites such as Ebay and Etsy. Soak those sheets for a little while if they are too stiff to bend too. 

Beautiful rustic DIY decor for any room in your home!

Materials: 

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Instructions: 

Be gentle when handling the bark at first. You don’t want it to split. I would recommend a tin can being the smallest size vase you use to wrap the bark around – if you try to wrap it around something smaller, the bark may split. You can cut the bark with a good pair of scissors if needed. I wanted mine taller than the tin cans, but you can cut it to any height. The best way to attach your bark to your tin cans or glass vases with this a two-part epoxy. This stuff is like magic! It sets in five minutes and holds forever.

Beautiful rustic DIY decor for any room in your home!

The tutorial is SO easy and since I’m a visual learner, I made a quick DIY video to show you how to do it yourself:

Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel on YouTube!

Beautiful rustic DIY decor for any room in your home!

What do you think of these vase?

Beautiful rustic DIY decor for any room in your home!

Once you collect or buy the bark sheets, you will immediately think of a million DIY uses for them! I hope you like the tutorial. Beautiful rustic DIY decor for any room in your home!

Beautiful rustic DIY decor for any room in your home!

If you love simple Christmas decor, you’ll love making these mini pallet ornaments!

Pretty Handy Girl I Rustic Bark Vases

For more Rustic DIY inspiration visit Love Create Celebrate.

Lindi Signature~ view more projects by Lindi ~

 

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Easy to Make Hot Air Balloon Decorations | Pretty Handy Girl

This year I’m helping out with the school book fair decorations again. The theme for our fair was air travel. We made cute hot air balloons, clothespin airplanes, a giant “Welcome” word cloud, and cut out book clouds (tutorial to come soon.) We had the most fun making these adorable hot air balloon decorations using Chinese lanterns and Dixie cups.

Easy to Make Hot Air Balloon Decorations | Pretty Handy Girl

They cost next to nothing to make, but were a big hit with the kids. Ready to make your own hot air balloon decorations?

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Easy to Make Hot Air Balloon Decorations | Pretty Handy Girl

Instructions:

Assemble the Chinese lanterns.

Easy to Make Hot Air Balloon Decorations | Pretty Handy Girl
Pre-heat your hot glue gun. If you’ve never used a hot glue gun before or always get burned, read this article first!

Place one Dixie cup upside down on your working surface. Squeeze a dollop of glue into the center of the bottom of the cup. Place the end of your rope into the glue and wait a minute for the glue to harden.

Easy to Make Hot Air Balloon Decorations | Pretty Handy Girl

Add a little glue around the end of the rope. Fold the rope back and start to shape it around the center point. (Use a popsicle stick or tweezers to hold the rope as the glue cools. Do I as I say, not as I do.)

Easy to Make Hot Air Balloon Decorations | Pretty Handy Girl

Keep adding glue and wrap the rope around the center until you have covered the bottom of the Dixie cup.

Easy to Make Hot Air Balloon Decorations | Pretty Handy Girl

Add glue around the sides and wrap the rope around the sides of the Dixie cup. Be sure to firmly press the rope toward the bottom of the cup to avoid gaps.

Easy to Make Hot Air Balloon Decorations | Pretty Handy Girl
When the entire cup is covered, cut the rope and secure the end with more hot glue.

Easy to Make Hot Air Balloon Decorations | Pretty Handy Girl

Tie one end of sisal twine to the bottom of the Chinese lantern.

Easy to Make Hot Air Balloon Decorations | Pretty Handy Girl
Measure the length you want for the twine and cup to hang from the lantern and cut the twine. Tie the other end to the lantern. Fold the twine in half to find the center.

Easy to Make Hot Air Balloon Decorations | Pretty Handy Girl

Put a dollop of glue inside the bottom of the Dixie cup. Press the center of the twine into the glue. Let harden for a minute. Run glue up both sides of the inside of the cup and press the twine into the hot glue. Make sure to adjust the twine until the cup hangs level under the lantern.

Easy to Make Hot Air Balloon Decorations | Pretty Handy Girl

Once the hot glue hardens, you can hang your hot air balloon!

Easy to Make Hot Air Balloon Decorations | Pretty Handy Girl

It could be fun to prop little lego people into the baskets. Or add a tea light into the baskets and light them at night.

Easy to Make Hot Air Balloon Decorations | Pretty Handy Girl

Making Hot Air Balloon decorations is an easy craft project with big cuteness factor!

Easy to Make Hot Air Balloon Decorations | Pretty Handy Girl

Hope you find somewhere to hang these mini hot air balloons because they will bring a smile to your face.

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Tealight Centerpiece

12 Upcycled Holiday Decor Ideas

Are you getting excited for the upcoming holiday season? Want to know how you can add new decorations and holiday decor but not spend a lot of money? Upcycle it, Baby! I have 12 Great Upcycled Ideas for Holiday Decor that you will want to whip up this weekend!

Most of the project materials can be found at a Habitat ReStore or salvage store near you. You can also find many of the items on Craig’s List or the dollar store. Happy hunting.

tealight_centerpiece_promo

Turn that old Hollywood strip light into a centerpiece!

 

Rustic Pallet Serving Tray

Reuse those old crates to make a rustic serving tray.

 

Mosaic Tile Coasters | Pretty Handy Girl

Use leftover glass mosaic tiles as drink coasters.

 

Easy Wooden Chalkboard Sign | Pretty Handy Girl

Create a Christmas countdown sign from scrap wood.

 

lantern_view

Paint an old light fixture to make a colorful lantern.

 

Make a Tray from a Cabinet Door | Pretty Handy Girl

Make a serving tray from an old cabinet door.

 

laura-makes_ornaments

Craft ornaments from tree branches.

 

snowman_placemat_flag_promo

Create a Snowman Flag from a Dollar Store placemat.

 

Beveled Glass Ornament from Old Brass Light

Make beautiful photo ornaments from an old light fixture.

 

scrap_wood_christmas_tree

Build a decorative Chrismas tree using scrap wood.

 

beauty_shot_vintage_map_light

Glue an old map to a lampshade for a cozy new lamp.

 

wine_crate_turned_flower_box

Make a window box with an old wine crate.

Hope you found something to dress your home for the holidays. Have a Happy Holiday, y’all!

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Holiday decorating doesn't have to break the bank with the 12 great upcycled ideas for holiday decor from Pretty Handy Girl! | #prettyhandygirl #holidaydecor #holidayhome #upcycleddecor