Mermaid Christmas Tree

I picked up this tall/thin Christmas tree recently for $4.00 at a yard sale.

It wasn't my intention to get it-- but then I saw that the garland looked like netting and that the tree had seashells glued to it... totally drew this pirate in! I had an instant thought, "Mermaid Tree." Nuts--- another project that is getting me off track of finishing up some Christmas gifts I'm making.
I couldn't leave the tree "as-is" as it looked a little beat up. I folded back the tips of each branch about an inch, to create a thicker/fuller looking tree. Then I pulled off and re-glued the pearl garland back onto the tree to clean it up a little bit..
 Then I set out to make some ornaments for my mermaid tree. I painted small bits of coral and then attached them to some ornament hangers.

I had recently bought a large bag full of replacement Christmas ornament hangers for $1.00-- just to have on hand in case I needed them. Score.

Once the coral was painted, I added glitter a few pearls and little bits of moss to each one. I love moss.

I really like how the coral looks on the tree. 

I made some pink glittered coral too~

I also made some glittered seaweed....

Well, that's what I'm calling it anyway.

 

 Lastly, I started making the mermaid ornaments for this mermaid tree. I used paper clay and a small face mold I had to create the little heads/faces. I used foil, tape, a little bit of pipe cleaners for arms, a little piece of cardboard for a tail and the mermaids started to take shape. Once the base of each mermaid was created it was just a matter of adding paper clay to each one--- and you know, smoothing, letting it DRY, sanding, adding more clay-- smoothing, letting it DRY, sanding and repeat a LOT until your kinda satisfied with how it looks. Here you can see the mermaids about 95% finished before getting some paint...

I think it is going to be another few days until I get these painted and onto the tree. I should have made the mermaid ornaments first! These are taking longer to create than I had anticipated. I'll share them when I've finished with them :-)
big hugs,
Cheryl