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5-minute Kitschmas: Make a mini Evergleam Peacock tree out of pipe cleaners

Kate - Updated: May 17, 2021

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.


This holiday season has been a particularly crafty one at my house. With Christmas only a week away, I had one more great idea for a quick and easy holiday craft dancing around like sugarplums in my head, I just had to make one more retro crafty video to share with everyone.

gold-aluminum-peacock-treeThis project was inspired by reader Lori’s fabulous vintage aluminum Evergleam Peacock tree. I was inspecting every shelf at the craft store looking for materials for a different project when I happened across silver, glittery pipe cleaners and mini ornaments — and it hit me like a tightly packed snowball: Why not make a mini peacock tree to display on the mantel with my putz house neighborhood?

peacock-tree-with-putz-housesIf you have a few materials, about five minutes and are willing to risk cuteness overload — why not give this quick holiday Retro Crafty project a try?

Materials needed:

  • Pipe cleaners — 10-15 depending on the size of your tree (I used silver sparkle)
  • Mini ornaments or beads (I found mine at Michael’s)
  • Wooden shish kebab skewer
  • Base — I used a hunk of wood with a hole drilled in it, but you could use a piece of foam, some clay or whatever you have handy.
  • Scissors
peacock-trees-on-mantelThis is one of those great crafts that isn’t messy and can be finished in one sitting — making it the perfect last minute holiday project.

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16 comments

Comments

  1. RetroSandie says

    Very cute idea, Kate!!!! Once again, loved your video!! Hey, too bad they didn’t make GIANT chenille stems … then you could make a full sized tree!!! LOL Anyhoo, your mantel is perfectly wonderful!

  2. tammyCA says

    I’ve made pipe cleaner trees before but didn’t know about one-dimensional Peacock trees…very cute…and, way easier to pack away since they’re flat. 🙂 And, the mantle is picture perfect with the echo of colors.

  4. hannah says

    Kate, you’re the best!!! I remember the days when I was as creative and busy with crafts as you. Sadly, that was before the INTERNET! lol

    I didn’t know pipe cleaners came in silvery glitter styles. Where did you purchase them? This, is a project I just might tackle for next year. Easy little gifts too! Everyone at my work knows my style and MCM bent, so I think they’d dig getting their own little aluminum tree. Especially the people from my generation.

    Thanks, Kate!

    • Kate says

      Thanks Hannah!

      I got my pipecleaners at Michael’s. They also had gold and I’m pretty sure they had a multi pack with gold, silver, green metallic, red metallic and blue metallic! 🙂

  6. Annie B. says

    Kate,

    I adore the way you can take the simplest materials and make something so endearing and special. Your talents continue to amaze!

    Merry Christmas to you and yours!

    • Kate says

      Aww thanks Annie B.

      I have lots of fun dreaming up and making these retro crafty projects to share with you!

      Happy Holidays!