How to Craft a Topiary - Using Dried Orange Peels

Learn how to make a topiary using dried orange peels. This unique topiary is a fun craft project for adults. It requires minimal supplies and the finished topiary can be displayed in the home all year round.

Materials:

A small Terra Cotta pot (2.5" tall) or small container of your choice
floral foam
moss
3 (6") cinnamon sticks
1 (3") Styrofoam ball
dried orange peels
hot glue gun/glue
wire ribbon

Before you can begin crafting your topiary you will need to create your dried orange peels. Begin by slicing an orange into 1" segments (shaped like a leaf) and pull the inside of the orange away from the peels. Cover a microwave safe dish with paper towels and lay the orange peels on top, cover the orange peels with another layer of paper towels. Microwave the orange peels on medium for 3 minutes. Turn the peels over and microwave the orange peels for another 2 minutes. Let the orange peels air dry for a day or two, or until they become hard. Make sure to make enough dried orange peels to cover the 3" Styrofoam ball.

Directions:

Once the dried orange peels are ready, you can begin crafting your topiary. Add a small amount of hot glue to the bottom of the small pot, insert the floral foam into the pot making sure it is a snug fit. Trim the top of the foam until it is level with the top of the pot.

Using the hot glue, glue the 3 cinnamon sticks (sides together) to form the shape of a tree trunk. Push the cinnamon sticks into the center of the floral foam. Add some hot glue around the base of the cinnamon sticks, where they meet with the foam. Add swirls of hot glue on top of the foam and press on the moss, making sure all of the foam is covered.

Make a hole on the bottom of the Styrofoam ball, large enough to accommodate the cinnamon tree trunk. Place hot glue into the hole and insert the tree trunk. Let the topiary rest for a few minutes.

Now you can begin attaching the orange peels. Working in small sections, begin by pushing the ends of the orange peels into the Styrofoam ball. Place them close together and allow the orange peels to swirl out in different directions. After you have completed a small area, remove an orange peel and add some hot glue to the end and re-insert it. Continue this step until all of the orange peels have been applied and the Styrofoam ball has been entirely concealed.

Now add a bow to your topiary with the wire ribbon. Tie the bow, just beneath the ball. Leave the two ribbons long enough to grace the top of the moss and shape them into a curl with your fingers. You have finished crafting your orange peel topiary.