Broken Jewelry Halloween Tree How-To with Jennifer Perkins

Any self respecting kitsch lover has seen a broken jewelry Kitschmas Tree. Heck I’ve made a few in my day, but have you ever seen a broken jewelry Halloween tree? Same concept, different theme. Think spooky black bits and bobs glued into a tree shape.

If It Works For Kitschmas Craft it Will Work For a Halloween Craft

I’ve long been a believer that if it’s a good Kitschmas craft it can be an even better Halloween craft.

Tree Skirts – The Kitschmas Version and The Halloween Version.
Tree Ornaments – The Kitschmas Version and The Halloween Version.
Wreaths – The Kitschmas Version and The Halloween Version

I could go on, but you get the idea. I of course wanted to add broken jewelry Halloween trees to this list.

Supplies for a Broken Jewelry Halloween Tree

The first thing you need is a lot of cool black stuff. Luckily I’ve been collecting goodies like these from all over the world for over 25 years. I’ve got a garage full of goodies in black and white vintage trinkets.
Picture Frame
Hot Glue
Halloween Fabric

These are just suggestions and of course things can be tweaked.

Step 1: Add Fabric to the Frame

I used a Halloween fabric as the background for my broken Halloween trees. This is easy to apply with a bit of brushed on tacky glue and then smooth out bubbles with a hotel room key.

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Step 2: Lay Out Your Broken Jewelry Halloween Tree

Any time I make a project like this I always like to get a basic layout in place before I begin gluing. Take a picture with your phone of the design before you start gluing. I usually tell my students start by making a basic triangle shape and leave room for a tree trunk at the bottom.

Step 3: Adorn the Frame

You can leave the frames plain, but why when metallic purple ric rac exists in this world. Another option is to paint your frame or cover with even more broken jewelry and spooky goodies.

Step 4: Glue Stuff to Stuff

All that is left to do is glue stuff to stuff on your broken jewelry Halloween tree. Even if you don’t have vintage goodies a quick trip through your junk drawer, a day thrifting or a trip to the craft store can almost guarantee you enough stuff to make your own small tree. I highly recommend doll parts as an extra addition. It’s taking everything in my power to not go in and sprinkle in a few of my kids teeth as ornaments. Ya. I’m that mom that saves teeth.

One of the reasons I adore teaching creative workshops like this Broken Jewelry Halloween Tree option is it tickles me to see how students use the goodies I’ve accrued through the years. Just look at that Michael Jackson pin, wee hot dog and tiny toilet.

I may need to make a tree like this for all the holidays – but perhaps egg shaped for Easter and shamrock shaped for St. Patrick’s Day!