- Old faux pearl necklaces (the more the better — broken, tangled, or simply unwanted ones work perfectly)
- Natural branches in a variety of sizes and shapes (gathered from your garden or purchased from a craft supply store)
- 24-gauge gold or silver craft wire
- Wire cutters
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Spray paint in your chosen color (optional, for painting the branches)
- Protective gloves
- A vase, decorative pot, or floral foam to anchor the finished arrangement
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Prepare your branches. Gather branches from your garden or backyard — look for ones with interesting shapes, natural forks, or delicate smaller offshoots that will give your finished piece a graceful, tree-like structure. Alternatively, craft and floral supply stores typically stock decorative branches in a wide variety of sizes. Once you have your branches, clean away any loose bark, dirt, or debris, and allow them to dry out completely before you begin working with them.
Step 2: Paint the branches (optional). If you would like your branches to have a specific color that ties in with your existing home decor, this is the moment to apply spray paint. White, gold, silver, black, and matte gray are all popular choices that work beautifully with pearl embellishments. Apply the spray paint in light, even coats outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, and allow the branches to dry completely before moving on to the next step. If you prefer the natural look of the branches — which can be equally stunning — you can skip this step entirely.
Step 3: Release the pearls from the necklaces. Put on your protective gloves before handling the necklaces. Carefully break or cut the faux pearl necklaces to free the individual pearls. If the necklace has a clasp, you can open it and slide the pearls off the string. For knotted necklaces, cutting the string between pearls works well. Place all of your freed pearls into a small bowl or dish so they are easy to access as you work. Having a generous quantity of pearls available will make the arrangement process much easier and more satisfying.
