Hello there, vintage craft enthusiasts! It’s that time of the year again. The air is getting colder, holiday tunes are playing on repeat, and the crafting bug has officially bitten us.. Today, we’re diving into a fun and festive project – bleaching bottle brush trees for our vintage Christmas crafts.
Now, you might be thinking, “Bleaching? That sounds like a chore!” But trust me, this is one quick chore that’s brimming with holiday cheer. So, grab your favorite hot beverage, cozy up, and let’s get started! I hope this tutorial helps you add a little extra sparkle to your holiday season.
How to Bleach New Bottle Brush Trees
Today, we’re going to chat about one of my personal favorite festive elements – bottle brush trees, and how to incorporate them into your vintage Christmas crafts.
There’s something incredibly heartwarming about vintage Christmas decor, isn’t there? It’s like each piece holds a story, a whisper of Christmases past. And bottle brush trees? They’re the cherry on top of this nostalgic sundae. These miniature, bristly beauties have a charming, old-world feel that can transport you back to simpler times.
But we can’t always get our hands on the vintage trees that we love. What do we do then? Thanks to the interwebs, I have a solution! We snag up some new bottle brush trees and we bleach them. I was blown away by the results of this simple process! I got so many great shades of trees that look beautiful and legitimately aged. In the video below, and step by step instructions, I explain exactly how to make this happen. It’s so simple and I love how they turn out!
How to Use Your Aged Trees
Now, let’s talk about some of the ways you can use these adorable trees in your vintage Christmas crafts.
1. Retro Christmas Village: Remember those enchanting little Christmas villages that used to grace grandma’s mantelpiece? You can recreate that magic with your bottle brush trees. Whether you pair them with old-fashioned ceramic houses or handmade wooden cabins, they’re sure to add a touch of nostalgia.
2. Vintage Ornaments: With a bit of string, your bottle brush trees can become unique, vintage-inspired ornaments. Imagine a tree full of these – it’s like a forest within a forest!
3. Table Centerpieces: Arrange your bottle brush trees at varying heights on a silver platter, sprinkle some faux snow, and voila! You’ve got yourself a vintage Christmas centerpiece that’s sure to be the talk of your holiday dinner.
4. Unique Christmas Crafts: My favorite way to use these bottle brush trees is in my Christmas creations. I use an old spice tin or Jell-O mold as a base. Then I combine different vintage elements to create something beautiful and unique for the holiday season. For more pictures and to learn how to make them, check out my Facebook and YouTube pages.
How to Bleach New Bottle Brush Trees Supply List
- 1/2 cup bleach
- 1 cup warm water
- Bowl
- Bowl of water for rinsing
- Bottle brush Christmas trees
How to Bleach New Bottle Brush Trees Instructions
Step 1: Start by filling a container with a mixture of water and bleach. The ratio varies depending on how white you want your trees. A common recommendation is 1 part water to 2 parts bleach.
Step 2: Next, submerge your trees in the mixture. Sounds simple, right? Well, it is! But remember, safety first. You may want to wear gloves when handling bleach.
Step 3: Now, the waiting game begins. This could take a few seconds or a few minutes. Keep and eye on your trees because some will change almost instantly. When your trees reach the color you want take them out of the bleach and pop them in bowl of water to stop the bleaching process.
Step 4: Once they’re done soaking, carefully remove them from the bleach solution. Rinse them under cold water, and let them dry completely.
And voila! You have transformed your bottle brush trees into a beautiful spectacle, ready to be the star of your Christmas crafts.
The Wrap Up
And that’s it! It is so quick and simple to take your new bottle brush trees and transform them into ones that look aged and vintage.
And, as we wrap up, I want to remind you of one important thing – crafting isn’t just about the end product. It’s about the joy of creating, the thrill of seeing an idea come to life, and the warmth of sharing that with others. So whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just starting out, I hope this post sparks some festive inspiration in your heart.
I would love to see how you use these bleached bottle brush trees in your own holiday crafting. So if you post any pictures of them on social media, tag me so I can check them out! Remember, there’s no right or wrong in crafting – it’s all about having fun and letting your creativity shine.
Happy crafting, my fellow vintage lovers! Keep exploring, keep creating, and most importantly, keep enjoying the process. And as always, I hope you love this project as much as I do!
I would love to see how you use these… in your own home. So if you post any pictures of them on social media, tag me so I can check them out! As always, I hope you love this project as much as I do. Happy crafting, friends!
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