Mixed Media Metal Tree Tag

Oh Christmas Tree! Using the jumbo wood tag found here Jumbo wood tag, pearl beads, clear cabochons, “Christmas” wood word Christmas wood n shape, and misc. metal flowers and pieces I made this mixed media metal tree tag.

First, I covered the middle portion of the tag with Christmas paper and fussy cut poinsettia paper for the top and bottom. I spread mod podge (I prefer matte, so it doesn’t show streaks or reflect light) on the wood tag and placed the paper on top, then I put a coat of mod podge over the paper. After the glue dried, I put a thin coat of white gesso over the paper to “mute” the brightness of the paper and to not take away from the metal pieces.

I gathered the metal pieces I wanted and placed them on the wood tag. I played around with several designs until I found one, I liked. I glued them down with 3 in 1 glue. I used flowers, leaves, gears, and other misc. pieces of metal to make my tree. I then filled in the spaces with clear cabochons. Cabochons are easy and fun to play with, you can leave them clear or paint them and I love how they add dimension and texture to mixed media pieces.

After gluing down, I “washed” the metal pieces with white gesso to even put the colors since some are bronze and others are silver or antique silver. I gathered several colors of paint to play around with and decided on the green and red. I painted the metal pieces with green pearl paint and the cabochons with red pearl paint. After painting the metal and cabochons, I scattered and glued down white pearl beads throughout the tree and added some rhinestones.

I really wanted to add a little sparkle, so I wiped some sizzix crystal paste around the tree.

Finally, I tied some twine through the hole, added a green bow to the top of the tag and the wood word Christmas that I painted with the same red paint as the cabochons to the bottom of the tag.

I love how it turned out and the different elements used to make the tree. I hope I have inspired you to gather some metal pieces, old jewelry, beads and other mixed media materials and make your own Christmas/ Holiday mixed media.

Happy Holidays,

Jennifer