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Monday, November 9, 2009

How to make sweet topiary trees

strawberry topiary tree
ferrero rocher topiary tree

rose topiary tree
christmas topiary tree
rose topiary tree


I am often asked about Sweet topiary trees are they easy to make, I am happy to make them for you if you think that they are too time consuming or would be equally happy to supply th Oasis Balls so that you can make your own. The most popular types of topiary trees are probably the ferrero rocher trees and the strawberry trees, but you can make them out of any kind of sweets or even lollipops!

They are really easy to make you will need round oasis balls, or styofoam balls, wooden dowels or good quality natural twigs for support, and a pot for each tree, which you could decorate or paint or if you are good at decoupage you could put pictures of the bride and groom or names and the date.......(you get the idea!) you will also need a glue gun, some curling ribbon,some toothpicks, and a pretty organza bow to tie on the tree to decorate. You will also need a bag of plaster of Paris.

Firstly cover your ball with a couple of sheets of cellophane or a light crepe paper.Center the end of the wooden dowel at one end of the Styrofoam or Oasis ball. Push the dowel into the ball firmly. Do not push it all the way through, however push it far enough so that the weight of the sweets on the ball later will not cause it to fall off the dowel. You can also put some craft glue on the end of the dowel to ensure it stays in the Styrofoam ball.

Make up the bag of plaster of Paris according to instructions. Fill up your pots to 3/4 full and leave to set for a couple of minutes, center the other end of the dowel or stick into the plaster of paris and hold for a minute untill set, you now have your tree! Once the plaster of Paris is set you can cover it up with either some moss or some crushed cellophane or material or crepe paper.

Decorate by either sticking a toothpick into your sweet and then into your tree or by just using glue to hold them on if you are using a glue gun be carfeul as they get hot and you do not want to either burn yourself or melt the chocolates! Fill in any gaps with some curling ribbon or crushed crepe paper and tie on your pretty bow.

Yoou could also use strawberries which have to be attached with toothpicks but are really nice for a summer wedding, you could make variations on these by first of all dipping them in chocolate or white chocolate and or dipping them in sprinkles.

You could use toffees, fudges, roses, quality street, lollipops anything that you can get your hands on! There are so many Variations. Most of all have fun and dont eat all the goodies before they get to your tree! Also your tree does not have to be made of sweets (although that is my favourite kind!!!) you can use dried rose buds, try using small christmas tree ornaments at christmas, in different sizes and colours or pine cones, the possibilites are endless! The foam shapes also come in a tree shape so you can make little trees also. You could also have two or three balls on larger dowels but would need to secure these with a dollop of glue. And of course you can always add a bit of ivy along the stem if wished!

Have Fun!

5 comments:

Kylie said...

Thank you for some great tips, I'am starting my Christmas "Chocolate" tree tonight.

Anonymous said...

Hi, how would I stick flying saucers, jully tots etc, sweets for small children? I really don't fancy using toothpicks.

Moe said...

The best way that I can think of to make something like this without using toothpicks is instead of using oasis balls to make a shape out of sponge cake and use icing as a base to hold on the sweets, would love to know how you get on........

Unknown said...

hi ive just been given some great tips of a friend who makes these so had to share.if you dont fancy using toothpicks you can cover ball with ready to roll icing and stick sweets on using icing sugare or edible glue.She makes the chocolate ones by covering the ball with choc or rtr icing then uses choc to stick or icing sugar then drizzles with chocolate.hope this helps x

Unknown said...

Hiya what is the best way to stick small creme eggs which have wrappers.