In this DIY vlog, I'll show you how to make a Xmas tree collar using such common materials as a jute rope, a glue gun, and cardboard. It's an amazing way of reusing an old box 😉
This Christmas craft project is straightforward and doesn't require knowing any weaving techniques. In this video tutorial, I give all the necessary calculations for a collar frame you can decorate as your heart desires: with beautiful festive fabric, wrapping or craft paper, lace, etc.
The advantage of such a collar is that it’s convenient to store. When the festivities are over, you simply fold it and secure it with the strings.
Another quick and easy holiday season DIY idea is featured in the video. This starburst-shaped Christmas tree topper craft isn't very demanding. All you need is a styrofoam ball or semi-sphere, skewers/toothpicks, and spray paint. In fact, you can use it not only as a topper but as a general Christmas decoration idea for your home.
Navigation: 0:00 Intro 0:45 Easy Christmas tree collar tutorial 7:13 Quick starburst Xmas tree topper craft
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It’s the season when visiting my favorite Christmas shop is a sure way of getting into a festive mood.
However, that day I also was on an honorable mission of looking for a suitable Christmas tree collar.
Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to find a collapsible collar or basket I would like.
So I decided to pay a visit to a DIY store to get everything I need to make the collar myself.
All I need is a jute rope, a glue gun, and cardboard.
I prepare my work station 🙂
Reusing an old box is a perfect solution but first I have to get rid of unnecessary parts.
This DIY project is very simple and doesn't require knowing any weaving techniques.
I need to prepare the base making all the necessary calculations and drafts.
The height of my future collar will be 30cm.
The lower diameter of the collar will be 57cm which means the length of the cardboard workpiece should be around 180cm.
If you want another diameter, use a standard circumference formula multiplying the desired diameter by 3.14 (π).
Then I divide the entire length of the workpiece into equal parts (10cm each)
Mark a 9cm shift along one side of the cardboard workpiece.
Since cardboard is a rather dense material, it’s necessary to crush it a little to help it form a circle.
To streamline the crushing process I make multiple shallow cuts along the entire length of the workpiece.
Then I make 9cm cuts every 10cm of the cardboard length using the marks that I made earlier.
In order to make the upper diameter of the collar smaller, I glue cardboard strips in a checkerboard pattern.
Each overlap should be approximately 1cm long.
Since my future basket will have a universal size I don’t glue the edges.
The frame of the collar is ready, now I can get down to the most important and interesting stage – decorating.
You can use anything you like for decoration: beautiful festive fabric, wrapping or craft paper, lace, etc.
To decorate my collar, I opted for a jute rope (6mm diameter). I’ll glue each row separately.
It makes sense to loosen the threads a little around the edges to make adhesion easier.
It’s a fairly easy task but it takes a couple of hours.
I ran out of glue gun sticks so I was able to finish the collar only the next day.
At some point, I stopped gluing the rope edges separately as it would be more efficient to glue them all at once.
I thank myself for buying two ropes 50 meters each. One pack wasn’t enough.
I glue the last row of the rope making sure it closes the cardboard cut.
I also made an additional row inside the collar.
Time to secure all the rope edges.
I use small scissors to trim prominent jute lumps.
I use a thin jute string to make ties. I make symmetrical holes on each side with help of a paper knife.
Using a regular pin, I thread the string into the holes.
Repeat the process on the other side.
Such rough corset imitation makes it easy to tie and untie the edges of the collar.
You can also decorate this collar with lace.
That was my initial plan but I decided to keep it as minimalistic as possible in the end.
The advantage of such a collar is that it’s convenient to store.
When the festivities are over, you simply fold the collar and secure it with the strings.
Grand reveal 🙂
Here’s another quick DIY of a stunning starburst topper. You'll need a styrofoam ball or semi-sphere, skewers/toothpicks, and spray paint.
Spacing the skewers around the ball evenly. Put in sticks of different sizes where you see they fit.
I risked securing the skewers with hot glue that could melt styrofoam. However, it turned out fine.
I believe, they’ll be no need to use glue if you use a styrofoam ball as you can stick the skewers deeper.
I had acrylic primer at home so I used it to protect styrofoam from spray paint just in case.
And for the final step, you have to spray paint the starburst with whatever color you want.
I chose gold with a bronze finish as it supports the bronze decor I have from last year.
I had bronze sparkles so I sprinkled them while the paint was still wet.
Wait a couple of hours before the paint dries completely.
Secure this starburst on the top of the tree with help of a wire and enjoy your new decoration.
Hopefully, you found these DIYs helpful 🤗
Thank you for watching! See you soon!
