Upgrade! Make a Miniature Tinsel Christmas Tree

I love Aluminum Christmas trees, and so of course, The dollhouse must have one!  After owning a few of the full-size vintage Aluminum trees, I have become more particular about the quality and sturdiness of my trees. The original Mini Tinsel Tree was cute but a little flimsy, and after years of displaying it, mine is not looking so festive. I set out to improve the quality and resilience of the tree, drawing inspiration from the vintage originals. The upgrade is not only stronger, but easier and requires less measuring to make.

Here's how to make your own:

Download the illustrated instructions here!

Materials:

• 20 + pipe cleaners (chenille stems) - cut 8 of them into 3 equal pieces (making 24 small branches) and cut 8 of them into 2 equal pieces (making 16 large branches).
• small wire cutters
• a spool or similar small wooden object for the base (optional)

Procedure (follow along with the illustrations on the printout)

1. pick up one full-length pipe cleaner. this piece will be the trunk and will be kept straight. Cross a second pipe cleaner over it about 5cm from the end of the first. tightly wrap the end of the second pipe cleaner around the first. Continue wrapping  until about 1 cm is covered.  this pipe cleaner will spiral down the trunk and hold the branches on.
2. pick up 4 of the small "branches" and line them up around the trunk so that the tips are about 2 cm away from the tip of the trunk. wrap the spiraling pipe cleaner around these branches to secure them to the trunk. wrap until you have covered about 2 cm of the branches.
3. continue adding branches in this way, with about 2 cm between each set of branches The next set of branches uses 4 small branches, then 5 small branches, then 6 small branches, then 6 small branches, then 8 large branches, then 8 large branches.
4. You could keep adding branches this way until you run out of pipe cleaners if you wanted a taller tree. This tree will be about 8" tall.
5. when finished, cut off any excess of the wrapping pipe cleaner and push the stump into your wooden spool stand. (or bend a tripod stand from excess pipe cleaners.) Fluff up the branches and cut any tips that stick out too far until you have a nice tapered shape!
6. decorate and enjoy a long-lasting miniature Christmas tree!