Bewitching Branch

This glittery tree is so fun that you won't want to put it away when Halloween is over!

You can turn an ordinary tree branch into a spooky Halloween tree.

What You'll Need

• 6-inch terra-cotta pot
• Painter's tape
• Acrylic paint: black, orange, purple, silver
• Foam brush
• Firm tree branch
• Spray paint: black, glitter
• 5-inch form ball
• Crinkle filler paper
• Purple eyelash yarn scrap
• Silver spiral tinsel
• Craft wire
• Wire cutters
• Needle-nose jewelry pliers
• Seed beads: assorted sizes in Halloween colors
• Assorted trinkets: beads, buttons, charms, small toys, Halloween confetti, etc.
  

1. Use painter's tape to create stripes around pot. Paint alternating black, orange, purple, and silver stripes. Let dry. Spray tree branch with black paint; let dry. Spray branch with glitter. Let dry.
   
   
2. Push foam ball into base of pot. Scatter crinkle paper on top to hide foam. Push branch into foam ball. Arrange crinkle paper if necessary.
   
   
3. Place eyelash yarn in and around branches as a garland. Wrap silver spiral tinsel around branches.

   Make the garland by threading the beads onto the craft wire.

4. Cut a 22-inch length of wire, and make a loop at an end. String beads onto craft wire in whatever pattern you'd like. When wire is almost covered, make a loop of wire at end. String beaded wire onto tree as a garland.

   To create tree ornaments, string the trinkets onto the wire branches.

5. String trinkets onto pieces of wire to create ornaments. Twist a wire end into a loop around trinkets, then create a circle loop at other wire end. Cut excess wire. Decorate branch with trinkets.

Your finished tree makes a perfect centerpiece for a creepy Halloween table. Not all Halloween decorations need to be scary, however. Make a Fuzzy Fun Wreath to draw smiles -- not shrieks -- from your guests. Go to the next page for the detailed instructions.

Want to scare up more fun Halloween ideas? Try these:

• Halloween Crafts: Not done being creative? These are great do-it-yourself projects for Halloween, from trick-or-treat boxes to candy jewelry.
• Kids' Halloween Costumes: Try on our unique costume ideas for your ghosts and goblins.
• Halloween Masks: Want an easy way to dress up for Halloween? Try a mask instead of a costume. Check out our selection of monstrous masks.
• Halloween Games: Play more than 20 spooktacular games to entertain kids and adults alike.
• Halloween Recipes: Learn how to make dozens of bewitching Halloween treats.
• How Halloween Works: Traces the popular holiday’s Celtic roots to American traditions celebrated today.