Do you love topiaries? Well, I’m a bit obsessed with them, and today I’m going to make an olive topiary inspired by Magnolia Home!
I have never been to the Silos, but it’s on my bucket list!
**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)
Until that day comes I’ll just keep watching reruns of Fixer Upper!
And drooling over all the beautiful treasures at Magnolia Market’s online shop.
Recently, I was looking at their Spring collection and saw the most amazing olive topiary!
Isn’t that the cutest thing you’ve ever seen!!
I love it, but when I saw the $54.00 price tag, I knew I wouldn’t be ordering it!
Then, I remembered this…
this lovely olive branch that I recently bought to put on my kitchen counter!
And it hit me!
Why can’t I make it myself??
But how in the world would I attach the limbs to the branch???
Well, my friends, I figured it out!
Want to see how I made it?
Then come on, and let’s start crafting!
Gather
Gather the following items to make this project:
- Tree branch
- Flowerpot
- Faux olive branches-I purchased mine at Hobby Lobby for 50% off
- Styrofoam block
- Styrofoam cone
- Glue gun
- Ruler
- Wire cutters
Cut a branch
Go outside and cut a branch from a tree.
After I cut the first branch, I noticed it had a bit of a bend in it. So, I searched for a straighter branch.
Find a Pot
Look around your house and see if you can find a pot to use.
I found this black-painted flower pot in my garage!
Purchase olive branches
Purchase an olive branch from your favorite craft store.
I bought mine at Hobby Lobby when the floral department was marked 50 % off!
Prep
Remove stems
Remove the stems from your branch!
The branch on the right is straight, so that’s the one I’ll be using!!
Cut Styrofoam cube
Cut your styrofoam cube and put it inside the pot.
I added smaller pieces on the sides of the cube to make sure it would not move!
Cut styrofoam cone
Next, cut the tip of the styrofoam cube off. You want to have a piece that measures approximately 1-1/2 inches.
Remove stems from olive branch
Using wire cutters, remove the individual stems from the branch.
Cut individual stems
Measure the stem and cut it to 9 inches. Some of my stems were shorter than 9 inches and that’s ok!
Later in the project, you will need four individual leaves. Remove leaves from the small pieces of stem that you just cut off.
steps to make an olive topiary
Push branch into the pot
Push your branch down into the styrofoam.
Attach Styrofoam cone
Carefully push the styrofoam cone onto the branch. Remove the cone, put some hot glue in the hole, and then replace it on the branch.
Attach branches
Take one of the longest branches and push it into the styrofoam.
Remove and add hot glue to the tip of the stem and halfway up the lowest leaf.
Replace the stem in the hole and press the leaf against the styrofoam cube. Do not touch the hot glue (you can use a popsicle stick) or you will get burned!
Add three more branches around the bottom.
Next, find the shortest stem and attach it to the top of the cone.
Attach the rest of the branches in between the bottom row and the branch you put on top.
Glue leaves to styrofoam
Some of the styrofoam will still be showing so take the four extra leaves and carefully glue them to the cone to hide the styrofoam.
Glue some leaves up and some down.
Add filler to the pot
At first, I put moss in the pot to hide the styrofoam. It looked nice, but the tree looked so real, that I thought adding dirt to the pot would look more realistic.
So, I removed the moss and added potting soil instead.
I can not get over how realistic this topiary looks!
Bend branches
To give the tree a more rounded look, bend the bottom branches up slightly.
Magnolia VS. MinE
Well, what do you think?
Would you spend $54.00 on their topiary or make one yourself? Let me know in the comments below!
How to Style an Olive topiary
You can use a topiary like this in so many places in your home!
I can’t decide where I like it best!
Kitchen counter
Nightstand
coffee table
Where do you like it best?
I am so happy I was able to make this olive topiary, so I might try to make some other decor items inspired by Magnolia Home.
If you are enjoying the blog, we invite you to join our email list so you never miss a post!
Until next time, visit us on Pinterest, Facebook, And Instagram.
Blessings, Donna and Rich
More DIY inspiration
- Learn to Make a Floral Basket Wreath
- Paint Upholstery-The How-to Guide for
- Beautiful Breakfast in Bed Tray Makeover
- Makeover an Old Lamp to Match New Decor
- How to Make a Wreath Using Hydrangea
**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)
I love the topiary, Donna! Yours looks even better than your inspiration piece! I agree, it does look very realistic! Great job!
Thanks so much! I love it when a DIY turns out so great! Appreciate your kind words! Donna
I love it! I love a good dupe on an expensive piece from inexpensive items! I found your post over on Wonderful Wednesday. I think my readers would like to find you too, so I’d love to have you come share on Crafty Creators on LifeasaLEOWife.com. It’s open Thursdays thru Mondays. It’s my newest link party, but you can also share on Happiness is Homemade while you’re there if you’d like. It’s open Sundays thru Thursdays.
Hope to see you there!
XOXO,
Niki
Thank you so much, Niki! I appreciate the invite! Have a great week, Donna
This is so beautiful, Donna, and I love that you can use it in so many different places around the house too. It’s such a perfect way to add greenery to your house in every season. Hugs, CoCo
Hi CoCo! You are right, this topiary can be used in every season, which makes it such a win-win! Have a fabulous week, Donna
I like it in all 3 locations, but I think I like it in the kitchen the best!
Hi Stephanie! You know me well, it landed on my kitchen counter! So good to hear from you!! Hugs, Donna
Gorgeous! I think it looks even better than the Magnolia Home one.
Thank you so much! I agree, I think mine looks more realistic! Have a great day, Donna
I love this, Donna, and have trees recently pruned so I should be able to find one very straight branch!
Thanks for sharing at the FWF link party.
Rachelle
That’s awesome, one step already complete! I wish my branch was a bit thicker but I still think it looks great! Have a great week! Donna
Brilliant! Just brilliant! I’ve tried to imagine how this would be done myself and never could come up with something. Your something is just genius! I can’t wait to find the time to do one now. I have to agree with others that it looks better than the expensive one!
Thank you so much! You just made my day with your sweet remarks! Let me know if you make one! Thanks, Donna
Donna, I agree with all of the others that think your topiary looks better than the one from Magnolia Home. You did an awesome job and it looks incredibly realistic. Thanks for sharing.
So glad you like it and thanks for letting me know your thoughts! Have a great day! Donna
Yours is by far the most realistic one. The dirt adds so much to the topiary. Really like it.
Hi Linda! You just made my day! I think mine looks more realistic too! Thank you so much! Have a great day!
Donna, your olive topiary is amazing! What a wonderful project! I love how realistic it is. I am excited to feature your post at this week’s Tuesday Turn About link party. Thank you so much for sharing!
Hi Lynne! Thank you! That is such exciting news! I appreciate your sharing my post very much! I hope you have a wonderful week!