Courtesy of Melissa Caughey
Happy Easter Friends,
Topiaries date back to around 40 BC when the Romans first began to garden. Topiaries are beautiful, versatile and are often the focal point of gardens. It's no wonder why they have been around for so long and endured in popularity. I have topiaries in my gardens and I love when I can enjoy them indoors. I also love putting fun and unique twists on them during the holidays.
Keeping backyard chickens provides me with a constant supply of eggs. I love incorporating chicken eggs into crafts. I'm also lucky to have friends willing to trade colored eggs with me. Their heirloom chickens naturally lay eggs that are chocolate brown and blue in color. Some eggs are even speckled. The best part about working with these eggs is that they don't require any coloring! For this egg topiary, I combined some Copper Maran and Easter Egger eggs with other chickens' eggs in various hues. If you don't keep chickens or know anyone with chickens and would like to purchase some heirloom eggs, check out your local farmers' market or supermarket. Some are beginning to carry these eggs based on the community's demand.
The eggs on this topiary were blown out, meaning a small hole was pierced in the top and the bottom of each egg and its contents were removed. There are many techniques and videos showing the process online.
Supply List:
- Assorted blown-out eggs
- Styrofoam cone
- Birch tree slice (check in the wood-burning section of the craft store)
- Hot glue gun and glue
- Moss
- Two mini-grapevine wreaths
- Scissors
- Ribbon
- Two floral pins
- Small chalkboard sign
- Chalk pen
Tabletop Topiary How-To...
Easter Egg Topiary
Add a topiary with natural elements to this year's spring tablescape.
Gather Your Supplies
Fresh eggs from heirloom chickens make this topiary pop! You will also need: assorted moss / a styrofoam cone / a slice of birch tree (look in the wood burning section of the craft store) / hot glue gun & glue / ribbon / scissors / 2 floral pins (optional) / 2 mini-grapevine wreaths / a small chalkboard sign /and a chalk paint pen.
Prepare Your Eggs
Blow out the eggs. Techniques can be found online. I used a Dremel rotary tool with a small drill bit. Once the contents of the eggs are blown from the shells, soak them in a bowl of soapy water and rinse them clean. Set them aside to dry prior to use.
Create the Base
Hot glue the styrofoam cone to the center of the birch tree base.
Cover with Moss
Starting at the bottom, hot glue moss onto the styrofoam cone.
A Blank Canvas
The entire styrofoam form should be covered with moss to create a blank canvas for your egg topiary.
Add the Eggs
Randomly place and hot glue the eggs onto the topiary.
Cover Up
Strategically add moss to camouflage the holes in the eggs. Glue it in place.
Unfurl the Wreath
Next, carefully unfurl the mini-grapevine wreath like so.
Twisted with Grapevines
Starting at the base of the topiary, gently wrap the unfurled grapevine wreath around the topiary. Repeat the process with the second wreath.
Embellish with Ribbon
Next, starting at the base, glue or pin your ribbon into place. Then wrap and twist the ribbon around the topiary. Pin or glue it to the top.
Add a Message
With the chalk paint pen, add a spring time message to your sign and stick it into the top of the topiary.
Top it Off
Insert a chalkboard message sign into the top of the topiary.
Have fun crafting this garden and backyard chicken inspired topiary for your spring table...
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Live well,
Yvonne
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