DIY Chic: Tomato Cage Grapevine Tree

A few weeks ago, the girls from our small group were helping a friend pack up for her soon-to-be move. As we were leaving, a desperate throw-out shout called us back, "Anybody want this old tomato cage?"

Do I want a free old tomato cage? Are you kidding me? Of course.

Because naturally I am going grab some twigs from the woods and a strand of Christmas lights to make it into a cute tomato cage grapevine tree! It's a wonder there wasn't a stampede when she offered the cage up...I acknowledge I got lucky on that one. :)

After I regained my breath from pricing grapevine lengths at the hobby store (about $15 per 12 yards!),  the woods were looking pretty appealing. I went out and cut about a wheelbarrows-full of twigs that were green enough that they had a good bend. Then the twigs, me, and my trusty floral wire had a hour long date.

Turn the cage upside down, and wire the three loose ends (that usually go into the ground) together into a point. That creates your "tree" and now you just need to add the twigs.

There's nothing magical about how to do this...just wire on the twigs nice and tight. I wanted a rustic look, just as long as the twigs weren't going to blow away in the wind! After you get the first several twigs secured around the wire cage, you can just weave the rest of them in and out until your cage is covered.

Add some lights, and voila!

This would also make a very cute Christmas tree using an old greenery garland. I can picture a throwback modern sixties tree in pink or blue tinsel. Many thanks to my junk-be-gone friend for inspiring this!