This rustic looking wall decoration is easy and fun to create with your kids.  The finished product is an artsy wall piece that looks great in any room and brings a little bit of nature into your home.

To make this project you'll need a bunch of tree branches.  You can either collect fallen branches in your neighborhood or purchase willow or other types branches from your local arts and crafts store or Ikea (Ikea carries them for $12.99 a bundle, but you can't order them online -- see info at right).

If you are going to use found branches, collect them now while they have no leaves.  I like the found branches because they are uneven and add texture to the piece, but you can use the store bought variety as well.

For a stable framework, the basic frame of the project should be two to three branches thick depending on the size of your piece.  Lay your inner pieces out before gluing to make sure you are happy with your design.  Use our criss-cross pattern, or try one of your own.

This project can be made in different sizes.  The one shown is 60" by 48" but I've also made small 18" by 12" pieces which turn out really nice and don't take as long to make.


SUPPLIES
Branches
Glue Gun
Newspaper

INSTRUCTIONS

1.  Use four branches to lay out the basic frame for your piece. Now add two or three more branches to each side.  These pieces will make up the framework of your piece.  Lay newspaper under all the branches.

2.  Hot glue the corners of your frame, weaving the different side branches together at each corner. Make sure to leave some space between the branches so you can insert the ends of the branches making up your inner design into the frame.

3.  Lay out branches on top of your frame to make an inner design.  Do not hot glue until you are pleased with the design.  You can either use a pattern of under-over or randomly place your branches. There is no one right way to do this... it's just a process of trial and error.

4. Once you are happy with your design, start hot gluing the ends of the inner branches to your frame, tucking the branches into the frame as much as possible.

5.  Double check that all points of contact between the branches have been hot glued and apply more where needed.  Leave lying flat for at least a couple of hours to set.

6.  Your branch art piece is now ready to hang.  Either ad hangers to the back of your frame or simply set atop nails hammered into the wall.