My Christmas decorating theme this year is mercury glass, but it’s funny how a creative project tends to take its own course, despite the blueprint in my brain. I envisioned a Christmas tree filled with vintage adornments. Chipped and aging mercury glass ornaments, making a dignified statement of beauty. I had even studied tutorials from Pinterest about how to “age” cheap ornaments to obtain that mercury glass look. That was my vision for the ornaments.
As for the tree, I’ve been using a small, inexpensive artificial tree the past few years, hastily decorating it a week before Christmas, because December was always my busy time at work. Now that I’m “retired,” I decided it was time for a more artistic tree. After much research, I kept returning to a tall, slender tree with artistically flocked branches. I think it’s called a Pencil Pine. So I bought it (online, of course), received it, and assembled it. It didn’t disappoint. The heavily flocked branches bring a bit of North Pole magic indoors.
I was inspired by a color scheme I spotted in Target in these sweet little ball ornaments, so I purchased a few packages, thinking they would serve as my color inspiration for the mercury glass balls I was planning to paint.
Funny thing. Once the tree was assembled, I filled it with these miniature balls, and before I knew it, it looked lovely. I had only a few authentic mercury glass decorations, but nonetheless the look came together. No need to paint more ornaments.
I did, however, add a few special glass ornaments that I already had. A little flying pig, reminiscent of the Flying Pig marathon I ran in Cincinnati…
A beautiful, big, old-fashioned Santa given to me by my best friend…
A few origami ornaments I made several years ago…
Then I added the felt tree skirt I made last month…
And for the topper, a simple bow made of chevron burlap ribbon…
All I need now are the presents!
