Cranberries make a beautiful, colorful foundation for many craft projects.
A bowl of cranberry sauce is standard fare at many Thanksgiving celebrations. However, you can use cranberries for much more than sauces and muffins. The rich color and shape of cranberries makes them a lovely decorative addition to many crafty projects. Store fresh cranberries in the freezer until you're ready to undertake a cranberry craft project.
Ice Candles
This craft gives you a one-of-a-kind candle for a holiday celebration. You'll need a container you can tear away, such as a cardboard milk carton or a paper cup. Fill the cup about two-thirds full of fresh cranberries and water. Add a floating candle on top before placing the entire container in the freezer. Once the water is frozen solid, tear away the container to reveal your custom ice candle. You'll want to wait until right before the party to take out the candles so they don't melt before your guests arrive.
Wired Cranberries
Stringing cranberries is a traditional method for creating a homemade garland. Instead of using string to hold the cranberries together, use floral wire. The bendable nature of the wire allows you to shape the cranberry garland however you want. Bend garlands into different shapes to make Christmas tree ornaments. Shape the wire into a circle so the cranberries fit around the bottom of a round candle as a decorative accent.
Flower Arrangements
Fresh cranberries add a twist to a plain floral arrangement. Fill a clear glass vase about three-fourths full with fresh cranberries and add water to the top of the berries. Arrange the flowers in the cranberries and water to create the look you want. White flowers make a nice contrast to the red cranberries, but use whichever flowers you prefer.
Hanging Stars and Hearts
A foam core acts as the foundation for this hanging cranberry craft. Cut the foam core into any shape you want for a hanging decoration. Stars, hearts and other basic shapes work well. Hot-glue fresh cranberries to the foam core to cover the surface. Pin a ribbon to the foam to create a hanger for the cranberry ornament.
Kissing Ball
A kissing ball is a common holiday decoration; kissing balls covered in cranberries make a rich, festive display. Use a foam ball as the base; you'll find different sizes in craft stores, so choose the one that best fits your project. Before you begin decorating the ball, you need to add a hanger to it. Glue a ribbon all the way around the ball with a loop at one end. You can also make a wire loop that you poke into the ball, then tie a ribbon or string to it for hanging. Cover the the cranberries by either hot-gluing them or using toothpicks to hold them in place. You can also tuck in greenery for a contrast.
Tags: cranberries water, foam core, fresh cranberries, ball with, cranberry craft
