This story was originally titled "Crowning Touch" in the December 2010 issue. Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue!

Inspired by an expensive crown tree topper he had seen in a trendy upscale shop in New York City, Karl Lohnes decided to create his own version, using simple craft materials, for less than $20. The three to four hours he spent crafting the ornament was well worth the effort: originally designed as a tree topper, it also does double duty as an elegant centrepiece. Because of the branches, he used an LED candle.

You need:
• 20 to 30.5 cm (8- to 12-inch) raffia or foam wreath
• 6 m (19½ feet) shiny 1-inch-wide ribbon
• Straight-cut branches, small twigs and pinecones
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Scissors and garden snips
• Tinsel rope or moss
• 2.5 cm (1-inch) Christmas balls and Christmas ornaments

See a larger version of the completed craft here.

To make:
1. Wrap wreath form with ribbon to cover, securing ribbon with glue as you work.

2. With glue gun, adhere straight-cut branches vertically to inside of wreath, placing branches close together. Cut branches to various lengths to create the effect of a crown.

3. With wreath flat on work surface, glue twigs, pinecones and ornaments to wreath to cover. Use tinsel rope to cover bottom of wreath and to add a bit of glitter. Perch Christmas balls or ornaments among twigs and pinecones to finish it off.

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