Today for our Wedding Wednesday post, we are featuring these beautiful Ice Covered Branches. Since the wedding is in December, we’ve gone with a Winter Wonderland theme but these would be perfect for your holiday decorating as well. Plus, they only take a few pennies to make!
To begin, grab some stray branches out of your yard and trim them to the shape and size you would like. Yes, you could also buy some branches from your craft store, but nothing beats free!! I wanted the bark of my branches to still show through for a more realistic result but you could certainly paint them white or silver first.
Next, you need to apply some type of adhesive that will dry clear. I used Mod Podge since I still had some leftover from my Glitter Vases and Photo Transfer wedding projects. Generously apply the adhesive anywhere you want your “ice” to stick. You can apply it completely over the whole branch, or leave some empty spots, which is what I liked best.
Take a large handful of epsom salt and generously pour it over the glued areas. You can also make a pile of the salt on the newspaper and roll it around in the salt. Allow the adhesive to dry completely. Done! Put them in a tall vase or arrange them as part of a table scape.
So pretty! It’s going to be a gorgeous wedding!!!
How far in advance can you make these? Does the salt melt after a certain time?
Deirdre- the salt does not melt. I mase them about one month before the wedding. The salt does get a bit whiter after time but still looks beautiful
the epson salt became white on my branches the day after, which the best part of the look is the crystal effect. I was a bit disappointed. I wonder what product they use on a store level that keeps the look crystal?
thank you!
Bummer Lulu! I used epsom salt on the ones that are pictured here. I wonder if you sprayed them with a sealer of some type if that would keep them clear longer for you. Just a thought you could experiment with -Carole
Clear vase filler also works! I got mine from a placed called At Home, formerly Garden Rodge, but have also seen at Michaels and Hobby Lobby. I know I am several months late to the party, but I worked on my branches today for my girl’s frozen room.
Thanks for the tip Cherie!
Hi. I was wondering what brand your Epsom salt was and what grain size. I have seen extra fine, fine, medium and coarse.
Thanks
Bridget
Bridget – I don’t remember what the brand was but it was a coarse grain. I would experiment with the different grains and see which you like best or maybe a mixture of all three would work -Carole