Spindle trees

I have talked so much about spindle trees on here I figure I had better give a close up of them.
Two years ago I made about 15 of these to sell at the Cameron Show in October.  They sold out in about 45 minutes. This past year I doubled it and made about 30 of them.  They, too sold out very early.
I then decided I needed to have a bunch of these for the booth and also for next year.  It is hard to plan a year ahead; but with Christmas stuff you have to as it is not accessible that early to create with.
I found spindles at thrift shops, habitat stores among other places.  I got a ton of trees and set about doing them.  This time I have done over 50 spindles and have about 45 trees.  Still need more of those things. 
Here they are as I paint the spindles with bases added on.  (my husband makes the bases for me with all the nice routed edges- sure saves buying them at craft stores) 


 I did some bases in black, some in cream with glaze and some in red with a glaze.

 Here is one all done and in the shop. I love their simplicity.  You can add decorations or leave them as is.  I have two with cream bases and they go on my dinner table with a big bowl of mercury balls.  Just simple. 
What do you think of them?

linked to its so very creative at it's so very cheri 

edited to add:
How they are constructed.  As follows:  I simply attach the base with a screw and then drill a hole in the top of the spindle.  The trees come wrapped in a burlap cover with the tree hooked in a block of wood.  We remove the burlap, cut off the block of wood to leave a wire stump.  Insert that in the spindle and you are good to go.  The first year I glued them in but then realized they are easier to store if you don't.  It is up to you. 

14 comments:

  1. I think they are absolutely charming! What a wonderful idea! Clever woman!

    Malisa

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  2. I agree, love them, thanks for giving us a close up view!! Sue

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  3. Sounds like you need some little elves to help make more :) I'm all for simple design. These are charming!

    ~Michelle

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  4. I love them and have some spindles in the garage. I thought about them all day after looking at your post last night. Give me more details. do you just drill a hole in the top and stick the tree in there? Does your tree come with a base and you cut if off. I'm wishing I had picked up some trees on clearance last year!

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  5. These are just adorable. How did you get the tree in the top? Drill a hole or?

    hugs
    Sissie

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  6. They are adorable! Thank you for showing us how you do it! That is a great tip about not gluing it in. It would be easier to store. I hope to get mine made this weekend!

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  7. Hi
    Just wanted to let you know that I “ Featured” you on Santa’s Gift Shoppe Blog Hop today for your great project & inspiration! Be sure to grab the “I was featured” on Santa’s Gift Shoppe Button/Code for your sidebar! You deserve it! Thanks so much..If you’re not a follower already we’d love for you to join us...
    Barb

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  8. Ah,ha! So now I know what all those spindles were for. ;)

    That is such a neat idea. And it seems they're a good seller for you. YAY!!!

    Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  9. Thank you, I have recently been searching for information about this topic for ages and yours is the best I have discovered so far.

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  10. Tammy, just now seeing the spindle trees! HOW NEAT! However, didn't quite follow you as for the "tree" itself. Are these the little table top trees and you cut them off and insert in spindle or what? PLEASE SHARE, would love to try this Christmas 2013, so need to know what to be on the lookout for as items are already 50% off in some stores. Thanks for sharing.

    Terah Webster

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