4 years ago, WAY before PINTEREST was invented, I posted pictures on my blog of my home at Christmas. The following year I posted more pictures.
I love Pinterest, really I do, but this is what has happened to me... Someone pinned these pictures from my blog, these "pipe cleaner Christmas trees", and I have been overwhelmed. The pictures were posted with "instructions" on how to make them, and the instructions are FALSE! Ridiculous actually. I am sad knowing that people think that those instructions came from me, because they will be disappointed when they waste time and money! I am receiving LOTS of visits each day on my blog just from these photos, and emails asking for instructions. I have gotten TWO offers from major magazines to write tutorials on how to make them. The truth is...I DIDN'T MAKE THESE, and I never claimed to. They were purchased 4 or 5 years ago at a discount store (Old Time Pottery) and have NO markings. Because of all of the interest, I will show photos of their construction, and hopefully help those of you who wish to recreate these. I had NO luck finding the supplies, and therefore declined the offers to publish instructions in both of the magazines.
First, The materials: I hope you can see from this photo, that these are not the standard pipe cleaners/chenille stems that you find in a craft store (the white pipe cleaner is an 8mm chenille stem/pipe cleaner for comparison) The "pipe cleaners" used for this tree are much thicker and are very stiff and course, like a bottle brush tree. I tried searching the internet for some sort of "industrial" pipe cleaner, but had no luck.
the "pipe cleaner" spirals are quite large:
The "Pinterest instructions" say to "glue the pipe cleaners to a Styrofoam form, and then remove the form". Seriously? I don't think that would work.
The trees are constructed and glued onto an 8 sided welded metal cone shaped frame. The wire is the thickness of a coat hanger, and very sturdy.
the largest frame is 7 1/2" wide:
and 18" tall:
I hope this helps to clarify the construction of these Christmas trees. I do think they are lovely, which is why I purchased them, and shared them on my blog. I am always happy to share instructions and information, but this was never intended to be a DIY project or tutorial. It was simply a photo of a decoration in my home. Best wishes to you all! xo Suzanne Duda
Hi Suzanne
First let me say how beautiful your home is and that I love your vintage style of decorating.
It's a shame that Pinterest is getting out of hand. I do follow Pink Roses and have for some time and I also follow you on pinterest.
Cheers!
Leann
Posted by: leann | September 20, 2012 at 03:05 PM
LOL that is way strange and a bit funny whats up with people, looks like bottle brush to me. ~Diane
Posted by: Diane | September 20, 2012 at 03:36 PM
Ha ha, gave me a good chuckle today and I needed it!!
Luv it!!
You tell em!!
Karen
Posted by: Karen | September 20, 2012 at 04:20 PM
Hey Suzanne - I remember this posting - I have been a follower for a long time - I live in Northeast Ga and work in Athens. So funny what attracts people., but I clicked and saved those trees to my desktop when you posted them. Loved. And have not tried to make them.
Have a great afternoon
Posted by: teresa | September 20, 2012 at 04:54 PM
Those are adorable. Thanks for sharing the different aspects in photos. It doesn't look like it would be hard to make except for finding those cones.
Posted by: Barbara H. | September 20, 2012 at 05:05 PM
How overwhelming this must be! You are doing a good thing posting this today.... Ya know...those don't look so much like pipe cleaners to me. They look like fake tree branches! I can just imagine how people probably demand to know how to make something they see in your house photo! Too funny. Stay strong, Suzanne!
Posted by: Linda Jo | September 20, 2012 at 09:59 PM
Suzanne... Here is a link to a place the sells pipe cleaners up to 30mm. http://kwikcrafts.com/crafts/category/Pipe-Cleaners.html
The pipe cleaner trees are absolutely gorgeous and I think I'll try to recreate them.... They almost look flocked (??). And, indeed, bottle brush-esque. Your blog is one of my favorites and I always save your posts to read last as a reward for ... What?! Good behavior, maybe? Hahaha.
Posted by: Elle Hall | September 21, 2012 at 02:31 AM
How nice of you to try to give directions for the trees you didn't even make! And how honest to not take credit for them.
Posted by: karla nathan | September 21, 2012 at 04:12 PM
I am reading this and chuckling at the same time. I remember you telling me about them when i came over. You are too kind to share more info on them to your readers. I think I may try making them this year too.
Lori
Posted by: Lori oles | September 21, 2012 at 06:41 PM
Dear Suzanne, don't worry about this small problem. There are a lot of good, nice and honest people, more than the bad ones :)
I always read your blog, it's very beautiful, nice and pretty. I wish you good luck & good news.
Julia Berg, the doll-maker from Russia.
Posted by: Julia Berg | September 23, 2012 at 03:44 AM
People are......well I will keep it nice - rude sometimes. I think the pipe cleaners are actually bottle brush tree stems. They look just like the trees but instead are shaped like pipe cleaners. I have searched for stems like these for a different project I wanted to attempt and have not been able to find any.
Posted by: Sarah | September 24, 2012 at 06:12 PM
You are so great for being so honest with us! I will be sure to edit my pin and still give you credit for your beautifully designed home.
PS-I am now one of your newest likes on FB!!
Meegan
Posted by: Meegan | September 25, 2012 at 09:48 AM
Suzanne - the pipe cleaners are definitely made of bottle brush. I think someone already posted that but I wanted to confirm. I have no idea where you can find them - maybe Department 56? Love love your blog.
Posted by: Myke | October 02, 2012 at 09:48 PM
Oh my, bless your heart. I have seen the odd link here and there thinking to myself, "I really don't think that's how you would make that," but never imagining how if might effect the person at the other end of the link. You have handled this post with such grace and beauty, bravo!
I just love love love your blog and always visit for inspiration and a smile. Thanks!
Holly
Posted by: Holly R. Moore | October 06, 2012 at 11:08 AM
I just saw these on Pinterest with the instructions, I was thinking gluing them to styrofoam sounded pretty hinky! Your blog is lovely xoxo
Posted by: Amy | October 09, 2012 at 04:34 PM
I am glad that these were posted all over Pinterest because they led me to your beautiful blog.
Posted by: Danell | October 09, 2012 at 09:46 PM
Aren't you nice to explain all this! I saw the trees and came to your site to look at them more closely because the 'directions' did not seem they would work. I have never seen trees like them before which is partly why I like them so much. They are very pretty as is your home and all the lovely things you have gathered through time. Thank you so much for sharing!
Posted by: Kathy | November 10, 2012 at 03:11 AM
You could make your own cone using a metal ring and some wire. I think they do sell thick pipe cleaners. Make the design and attach with fishing line. Maybe I'll give it a try. Wish me luck! Love your blog
Posted by: Pat Tojojka | November 12, 2012 at 04:08 PM
Suzanne I just had an idea. The dollar tree sells small trees that maybe 8" tall that are wrapped with garland. You could take the garland off and use the frame as the base. Wrap pipe cleaners (even double them) into a design and attach to frame. I used these trees one on top of each other to make a tall tree. Left the garland on and wired each together. Beautiful!! Give it a try friends!!
Posted by: Pat Tojojka | November 12, 2012 at 04:30 PM
Hi Suzanne, Just stopped by after many years, and recognized my mom's antique dresser in your photo above. It's nice to know you are enjoying it after four years.
Your daughter's one year anniversary photos are very pretty.
Hope you are enjoying a nice Thanksgiving.
Posted by: maple lane | November 22, 2012 at 05:01 PM
I just found this image for the pipe cleaner trees. They are beautiful. I have a pipe cleaner angel and intend to try some of the same procedures to make one of these. It's a shame what people do.
Posted by: Mimi | December 08, 2012 at 07:06 AM
Hi,
I am SO glad you clarified this, as I too found it on Pinterest and was going to try to make these trees. I even bought the styrofoam forms and the pipe cleaners. After spending a few minutes trying to figure it out, I gave up! So I was so happy (and relieved!) to hear that this was not as the directions posted. Thank you, and Happy Holidays!
Posted by: Leslie | December 16, 2012 at 04:28 PM
Just found your pin and the trees are lovely. I do quite a bit of crafting and to me it looks like the swirls are made out of tinsel garland roping. Most of the time it is about 1/2 wide and comes on large spools in various colors. Attaching the swirls - from one of your pictures it looks like there is a fine thread wrapped around the wire. That just leaves the metal cone I am guessing a person could replicate with coathanger wire and metal epoxy to glue rings securely. I am tempted to try one. It is never too early to start a Holiday project. Thanks for sharing
Posted by: Linda Groskopf | February 22, 2013 at 09:52 PM