Christmas Decoration (w/Bottle Brush Trees & Spools)
[Updated February 2020] If you’re looking for the cutest Christmas decoration around, you’ve come to the right place. You’re going to learn how to make thread spool and bottle brush tree Christmas decorations.
They are easy as 1-2-3, I promise! I sell them in large quantities every year at the local craft show I participate in. They make great additions to booths at antique shops, vintage shops, and flea markets, as well as craft shows.
I have seen variations of these bottle-brush-trees-on-spools-of-thread Christmas decorations around the web and at vintage fairs for a while now.
Materials for Making Bottle Brush Tree Christmas Decorations
Note: This post contains affiliate links for [the same or similar] products used to complete this project. This is both for your convenience as well as to support my website, since I receive a small compensation whenever you click on a link and make any sort of purchase, for which I thank you 🙂 See my full disclosure here.
Materials
- Vintage thread spools–try eBay or Etsy (or use craft spools)
- Small bottle brush trees (1-2″)
- Tacky glue (and toothpick)
- Scrapbook paper
- Hot glue gun
- Glue sticks
- Sand paper
- 1/4″ Ribbon
- Buttons and/or other embellishments
How to Make Vintage Style Bottle Brush Tree Decorations
Step 1: Using a toothpick, dab a tiny spot of glue onto the end of the thread and press it down to hold it in place.
Step 2: If you are using a spool without thread, cut a piece of scrapbook paper to wrap around your spool. Glue it into place with a smear of tacky glue.
Step 3: Cut a piece of color coordinating ribbon to wrap around the spool (with thread or paper) and use hot glue to hold it in place.
Step 4: Attach a button or other embellishment to the front of the spool with hot glue.
Step 5: Sand the bottom of a bottle brush tree.
Step 6: Apply a dab of hot glue to the bottom of the tree and press it into place on top of the spool of thread.
The Finished Product: Bottle Brush Tree & Thread Spool Decoration
Aren’t they cute as can be??
I haven’t decided which I prefer–those with thread or those with scrapbook paper. What do you think?
I wish I had a source for the metal numerals, but alas, I’ve not been able to find them. (And I can’t remember where I bought them in the first place, LOL.)
Matching ribbon and buttons to the various colors of thread and scrapbook paper is not rocket science, but boy did I make a mess in the process(!).
I pull out all sorts of supplies, laying ribbon on paper and buttons on ribbon before I finally settled on the “matches” that I preferred.
More Examples
I’ve been making and selling these little darlings ever since I first introduced them in this post back in 2016. This year (2020) I raised the price from $3.50 to $4 and sold 19 of them–that’s $76!
They’re as much fun to make now as they were back then. You should really give them a try 🙂
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Hi…what a darling idea….as usual, Diana! I just ordered some for myself. I have quite a few of the antique ones but I could use more for gifts enhancers etc. Thanks for posting….always joyful to read. 🙂
So glad you like the idea, Susan–thanks for taking the time to let me know 🙂
These are adorable!!
Thanks Linda! Hope you are enjoying a blessed holiday season 🙂
I love your little bottle brush tree forest, Diana…so whimsical!
Thanks Linda!!
Such a fun idea! I’m adding that to my future things to do. Where did you find the tiny trees?
So glad you like the idea, Fonda 🙂 I bought them at Consumer Crafts [dot] com. If you sign up for their mailing list, you’ll get announcements about their sales.
I like the site. Thank you!
Looks like Consumer Crafts is closed?
Cute!
Thanks, Rose!
The word PERFECT comes to mind! These are just wonderful!!!
Nicely done. Especially love the ones with thread still on. Have you made any with a little glitter added?
Very cute! I recently bought a whole shoe box full of vintage wooden thread spools, the majority are empty. I’ve been in a quandry about what exactly to do with them. I just know I like them as they are, probably because they remind me of my grandmother who taught me to sew. Anyway, I like your idea and it sounds like quite a few others do too!
These are just adorable, Diana!
These are adorable. I am sure they are flying out the door of your booth.
Really cute Diana! I host a stitching group at my home. At Christmas time we exchange a little something. Last year I made them all a spool with a bottle brush tree and they love them. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
So cute! Thank you for sharing them with “Let’s Talk Vintage!”
Such a cute and clever project! I have featured them as part of Thursday Favorite Things!
I inherited a lot of fabric and thread and my faborite wood spools are from the Belding Corticelli thread. I just went through my collection of empty spools and decided to look up the company. Thank you so much for your informative information on the spools and the thread companies. I quit using thread from wooden spools (even though I have 2 boxes full) since I realized just this last year (2021) that using thread from the 1970’s or earlier might not the best choice. P.S. I love your little bottle brush trees!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the article Jean! Thanks for taking the time to write an encouraging comment–it means a lot 🙂