I can’t wait to share how to make my favorite Christmas tree craft. I used pipe cleaners to create snowflakes and put the trees in Borax to add the crystallized effect.
I love these Snowflake Trees. They are made from pipe cleaners and I used Borax to crystalize the trees. I think this is my favorite Christmas tree craft!
I have seen trees like this made from pipe cleaners, but I added a twist and added the snowflake crystalizing. Aren’t they magical?
You might remember the snowflakes I made using this crystalizing method. These trees are made by creating snowflakes as branches!
Watch the Video How to Make The Snowflake Trees Here
Here is the video of my Live Facebook demo to learn how to make the Snowflake Trees.
These trees are easy to make and perfect for the holidays and winter season.
How to Make My favorite Christmas Tree Craft – Snowflake Trees
The tree is made of five snowflakes in graduated sizes and across at the top.
What You Need to Make Snowflake Trees
White pipe cleaners
Wire cutters
Needle nose pliers
16 gauge wrapped floral wire
White paint
White Glitter
Hot glue gun
Borax
Start with the largest snowflake (it gets harder to work with the snowflakes the smaller they are). Using a wire cutter, cut three 6 inch lengths of pipe cleaner. Twist the three lengths together in the middle to make a six-pointed star. For each spoke of the star, cut the following lengths of pipe cleaner, two 2-½ inch lengths, one 2 inch length, and one 1-½ length. Starting with the 2-½ inch lengths, twist one of the lengths onto the first spoke at the midway point. Use needle-nose pliers to twist tightly onto the spoke. Twist the second 2-½ length slightly closer to the end of the spoke in the same way you twisted the first, using needle-nose pliers, twisting tightly onto the spoke. Twist the 2-inch length slightly closer to the end of the spoke and finally the 1-½ length closest to the end of the spoke. Ensure that all of the smaller lengths are tightly twisted onto the spoke. Cut and twist smaller lengths onto all six of the spokes of the largest star to create a snowflake.
For the next snowflake, cut three 5 inch lengths of pipe cleaner. Twist the three lengths together in the middle to make a six-pointed star. For each spoke of the star, cut the following lengths of pipe cleaner, one 2-½ inch length, one 2 inch length, and one 1-½ inch length. Follow the same directions above for adding the smaller lengths to each spoke of the star to create the 5-inch snowflake.
For the next snowflake, cut three 4 inch lengths of pipe cleaner. Twist the three lengths together in the middle to make a six-pointed star. For each spoke of the star, cut the following lengths of pipe cleaner, one 2 inch length, one 1-½ inch length. Follow the same directions above for adding the smaller lengths to each spoke of the star to create the 4-inch snowflake.
For the next snowflake, cut three 3 inch lengths of pipe cleaner. Twist the three lengths together in the middle to make a six-pointed star. For each spoke of the star, cut the following lengths of pipe cleaner, one 1-1/2 inch long. Follow the same directions above for adding the smaller lengths to each spoke of the star to create the 3-inch snowflake.
For the next snowflake, cut three 2 inch lengths of pipe cleaner. Twist the three lengths together in the middle to make a six-pointed star. For each spoke of the star, cut the following lengths of pipe cleaner, one 1 inch length. Follow the same directions above for adding the smaller lengths to each spoke of the star to create the 2-inch snowflake.
For the tree topper, cut two 1 inch lengths and twist into cross.
Once all of the snowflakes have been created, take a 16 gauge floral wire and starting with the largest snowflake, measure out where the snowflakes will go on the floral wire with about 1-2 inches (spacing evenly to end with the cross at the top of the floral wire. Using the hot glue gun, glue the largest snowflake onto the floral wire. Glue the next smallest snowflake onto the floral wire about 1-2 inches (spacing evenly to end with the cross at the top of the floral wire).
Once all of the snowflakes have been glued to the floral wire and the glue is dried, cut a pipe cleaner into a 4-inch length, and starting with the largest snowflake, wrap the pipe cleaner over and under the spokes at the glue to secure the snowflake onto the wire. Use is 4-inch length for the next snowflake and then 2-inch lengths for the final snowflakes.
Mix Borax with boiling water in a sealed container. (Use 1 1/2 cups per 8 cups of boiling water.) I used some large glass vases. Hang (or place) the trees, upside down, in the Borax/Water. Leave overnight
The trees crystalize and are gorgeous! If the branches stick together, just lightly pull them apart.
To keep the trees upright, I made a base with wooden spools and a birch base.
Using a hot glue gun, attach the spool to the birch base. Fill the hole about 1/2 full with hot glue and add the stem of the tree. Hold in place till secure.
I wanted the bases to be white so I pai=inted them with chalk paint.
Before the paint dried, I added some white glitter.
I think these trees are so magical!
Pin the image below to your Craft or Christmas decor boards on Pinterest (just click the Pin button in the top left corner). You can also follow along with me on Pinterest!
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5 Responses
Leslie, these trees are adorable! I can’t wait to show these to my daughter. Thanks for another fun, festive idea. XOXO Misty
Leslie, these trees are fabulous.
Is the Borax solution a one time use only? Or, can the solution be used more than once such as making trees on successive days with the same solution.
This will be a great project for my granddaughters to do while here over Christmas! Thank you!
I used the Borax solution exactly as instructed but by morning there were no crystals at all that had formed. Any ideas what could have gone wrong?
Love your blouse—details, please!