This simple decoration looks great in practically any room in the house.

Difficulty level: Beginner
Time required: 45 minutes
Age range: 12 and up, with optional supervision for hot glue gun

Things you’ll need:
Light Green Artificial Eucalyptus Spray
7/8″ dowel
Gray Braided Macrame Cord
Wire cutters
Cloth-Covered Floral Wire
Scissors
Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Things to do:
1. Cut 25 lengths of macrame cord that are 30″ long.

2. Using wire cutters, cut 3 pieces of eucalyptus, one each of the following lengths: 6″, 11″, and 12″.

3. Hold the 12″-long eucalyptus over the dowel, then wrap floral wire around both the dowel and eucalyptus to secure it. To be sure the eucalyptus stays in place, try crossing the floral wire in an X shape several times.

4. Using wire cutters, cut the floral wire and tuck it into the wraps.

5. Repeat steps 3-4 with the 11″-long eucalyptus.

6. Repeat steps 3-4 with the 6″-long eucalyptus.

7. Place a dot of hot glue on each eucalyptus branch to secure it.

8. Grab two lengths of cut cord from step 1 and fold them in half. Place the cord under the dowel, forming a loop at the top about 1/2 ” from the edge of the dowel.

9. Pull the yarn tails through the loop to form a fringe.

10. Tug the yarn tails to tighten the rope around the dowel.

11. Repeat steps 8-10 with the remaining lengths of rope. When you reach a eucalyptus branch, place the loop as close as possible to the branch, covering it if possible.

12. Continue across the dowel until the entire dowel is covered, again leaving a 1/2 ” space at the dowel’s edge. You should have one single strand of macrame cord left.

13. Optional: Braid three strands of cord together in one or two places, then knot the end. This just gives the hanging a bit of texture.

14. To create a hanger for the decoration, grab the last strand of cord you cut in Step 1. Tie one end of rope around one edge of the dowel, then knot it securely.

15. Tie the other end of the rope around the opposite edge of the dowel, then knot it securely.

16. Add a dot of hot glue to each hanger knot to secure it.

17. Flip the hanging over to the other side, then cover any visible floral wire or branches with macrame cord. Arrange the eucalyptus so that it’s visible.