Willow birdcage

14 March 2018
click to send Christine a smile

Weave three wreaths (two big and one smaller) from pliable willow twigs. Follow the link of my website for more detailed instructions on how to weave or manipulate twigs.

Tie four twigs across the bottom of one wreath. This is the base of the birdcage.

Tie in eight longer willow twigs to the sides.

Tie those longer willow twigs to the second wreath.

Weave a pliable willow stem with a fork in its twigs through the last and smallest wreath.

Weave the smaller wreath to fit on the top, open ended wreath. Use pliable twigs to secure the lid.

Add more pliable willow twigs all round the birdcage to secure all the twigs and to create a wild and natural look.

Wiggle the stems to make sure it is secure.

Once the cage is secure add a few decorative willow stems, fake snow, sparkling beads and the fresh flowers and vines.

The last step is to add the rings. Hang them from a ribbon. Fold the ribbon in half, wrap it around a twig and secure with a small drop of glue so that it is easy to remove.

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Tutorials

28 December 2016 Adding snow to twigs

Glue artificial snow to twigs

1 November 2011 Weaving a twig wreath

For my design I wanted the wreath to look wind blown so I added a few loosely woven twigs into the weave. I also wanted to emphasize the autumn colours so I added a twirling...

19 February 2013 Manipulating stems: Snapping at an angle, Bending, Spiraling, Curling and Straightening

Most stems, twigs and even sturdier branches can be bend into shapes. It takes practice and more than a bit of patience. The main idea is to slowly manipulate the branch without...

24 May 2017 Designing an odd one out wreath

Adding floral material to a wreath design

24 May 2017 Chain link wreath weaving

Weave a few small wreaths to connect

11 February 2015 Willow Heart Wand

28 January 2015 Well Rooted Sprouting Willow Weave

Weave a sprouting armature

25 January 2012 Weaving Willow spheres

I build up the spheres by weaving willow wreaths and then use those to shape the ball

4 January 2011 Drinking straw "test tubes"

When you need to keep a tiny stem hydrated this is just what you need.

12 July 2017 Twig sparkler

Glue twigs to radiate out from a central point

29 July 2015 Disk Twig Armature

Glue a few wigs to follow the shape of a glass bowl to create a disk armature

Favourite Flowers

Oncidium

Dancing lady

Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"

Curly Willow, Chinese Willow, Tortured Willow, Globe Willow, Dragon's Claw, Hankow Willow

Ceropegia woodii

Rosary vine, Chain of Hearts, Collar of hearts and String of hearts

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19 April 2023 Short Cut

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20 January 2011 The last Vine Wreath

Every designer knows how to stretch their supplies. We use and re-use our dried plant material until our fellow designers feel like hiding it from us. I formed such an...