Yes, styrofoam tree shaped topiaryand spraypainted it gold. I bought a few when Frank's garden shoppes went out of business in NJ. I used glass balls (that had wires attached which I detatched) and hot glued them on. I also used some plastic garland to break up the balls. I put the garland on first, but I would suggest putting the garland on as you need it, this way you can adjust for the width of the rows of balls. Keep the balls tight together to avoid empty spaces. I spray painted a terra cotta planter and I made the wire bow myself. The whole thing probably took about 8 hours. Easy but time consuming due to each ball having to dry before you could continue. And the tree was constantly on its side in my hand. I would suggest plastic or unbreakable balls if you can find small ones for obvious reasons. (I have extras that I'll include in the gift) Thanks all!! Pam p.s. I also made some totems this summer that I'll have to get some pics of. I lurk around here alot, but will definitely try to participate more!!

......sorry, just trying to move this down the list since no response for so long.

It's so hard to tell unless you have a pattern. I've made some simple ones, using polar fleece that I squared off (44"x44") then rounded the corners, then cut a slit 1/2 to the center from one side. Then trimming the hole in the center so it lays flat around the trunk. CAn you give us a better idea of what you want to do? Kate

Thanks Maire_cat. I did read your previous post, but couldn't tell if it was something I could used on my own or if you had to adjust down below after it was placed in the stand. Looks like Orvis doesn't sell it anymore so the video doesn't work and the krinner has several models and a new one, too. If you have an opinion on which looks best, I'd appreciate your opinion. Thanks Anglophilia, yes it takes two men to do this, but I do it on my own :-) I was thinking today that I think I replaced the stand once because the little foot pedal fell out and couldn't be located. I wonder if I have the cup from the old stand mixed up with the new stand. I'm going to take a look around and see if I see another cup out there. Maybe I saved it because it was still good, but isn't an exact match or something. It was a perfect, foolproof stand for a few years. Kellysar I love how that stand looks, esp that you can actually see how much water is there. It seems it would be perfect if only I didn't need a drilled tree! I've never heard of that. I cut my own tree (with help from my son) at a tree farm, so no drilling available. I can just imagine the disaster I could create trying to drill it myself :-) Anyone else have a stand they love?