It doesn’t happen very often, but sometimes reality exceeds expectation. It can Such was the case when Creating a Vintage Inspired Tree Topper.
In creating a tree for my husband, inspired by his childhood, there was just one thing I was missing: a tree topper.
I had something like this in mind.
But after 5 thrift stores, I had given up hope. At the last thrift store, I spied this disaster.
The aluminum star reminded me of the vintage-inspired corsages I had made in years past.
So I paid the $3.50 and promptly removed the scary plastic angel.
Then I rummaged around my craft bins and pulled out what I thought might look good.
Hmmm, it wasn’t quite right.
So I scrambled around again and pulled out some vintage tinsel pipe cleaners and old mercury beads that were from a long ago broken garland.
I strung and twisted the beads into a long oval shape.
Once the beaded stems were hot glued on to the topper it felt finished. I would love to do an entire tree in various shades of silver and aqua.
All of my favorite elements: net covered bulbs, tinsel, glitter…
But the big question was how would it look on the tree?
I find it a bit of a challenge to take lovely images of a darkly colored sparkly tree.
I can never quite capture the true shimmer and sparkle.
The velvet and pearls on this 60’s swinger makes me swoon.
And the shape of this snow-covered teardrop.
The glass beaded garlands are a favorite of mine this year.
The tarnished glitter on this bulb reminds me that “The King is coming!”
This year the cloth gift bags have been replaced by vintage-inspired wrapping found at Target.
But who needs a paper dachshund when you can have the real thing?
Happy.
What type of tree topper do you have?
Laura
Ohhhhhhh your tree topper turned out AMAZING Laura!! I loveeeeeee the colors, the dear and those mercury beads!! GORGEOUS!! And we have an angel that Brian's Mom made out of needlepoint a long time ago! I just love her! 🙂
Wow. Laura, the tree topper took on a new life but still looks vintage.
Lovely!!
chris
Your tree topper is amazing! I love the colours and what a clever hoarder to keep those beads and all sorted as well. lol I like the way you decorated it at an angle. It looks like the reindeer is taking off. It does remind me of the corsages we had to wear at Christmas when I was little. My mother took a lot of care picking out the one she thought was prettiest each year at the local five and dime.
We had a topper much like the original one with a Santa face. Some years he would have a yellow tinge, other years a green or blue or red…just depended on which bulb was stuck in the little hole in the back!
Your photos are lovely and your tree looks perfect! Thanks for sharing your retro Christmas fun! 🙂
Wow your topper turned out beautiful! Your tree really reminds me of my childhood tree. I love that. I just got a pink angel at at thrift store for my tree.
Blessings,
Amy Jo
You sure took that “disaster” topper and turned it into a winner!
Very pretty, Laura! I love the blue! How great that you had all those supplies in your stash to remake that thrifted tree topper.
Well I made one this year, too, but it's not half as gorgeous as yours. I'm so glad you were able to find goodies to fix it up, and it's much better than the original….by a million miles!
Love ya'
Meri
Your tree topper is wonderful! It couldn't be more perfect! karen…
Somebody should hire you to create a line of X-mas ornaments and decorations because you don't see things like this. Just amazingly beautiful!Merry Christmas!
Karen my dear friend, somebody should! 🙂
Any takers?
Your tree is out-standing. It reminds me of Christmas trees when I was a kid. Do you remember those lights that looked like candles and had bubbles running through them? My oldest brother bought some for our tree when I was a little girl.
Happy Holidays.
Your blogging sister, Connie 🙂
Beautiful! That reindeer is the perfect touch~
Marie @
Lemondrop ViNtAge
I am having a fabulous giveaway right here.
I have a boring snowflake on mine – yours though is just spectacular! I love it Laura, you are truly gifted in crafting and turning not so beautiful things into something beautiful!
Laura you have such a great eye and can imagine how a gem will look! I love your tree topper!
xoxo
Karena
2012 Artists Series
You did an amazing job making a beautiful topper out of something so….. lol I can't ever seem to get the glitter and shine of a tree in my pictures either, but from the picture's your tree is lovely.
lovely topper! inspirational even – we have not had a topper, because I just have not found one that I love so… I think this weekends project it to create one =)
The topper turned out so pretty Laura- I love that vintage blue color and the little mercury glass accents were perfect!! I found the prettiest silver glittered star topper today at a thrift store and thought of doing the same thing with it. Do you know I went and forgot to pick it up and pay for it! Getting a root canal is my only excuse
bee blessed
mary
Laura,
Beautiful, detailed tree topper reminiscent of the ones from Christmases past.
What do we use for a tree topper? Usually it's either 'Puter or Mishka, our Siamese cats!
Your Friend,
Deborah
FairfieldHouseNJ.com
Beautiful tree topper, indeed.
Michele
That is awesome Laura! You always create the most lovely stuff! We don't really have a tree topper – I tied a sparkly snowflake made of metal and faux diamonds to the top. I got it Restoration Hardware this year.
had to pin this! it's amazing
What pretty colors!