Masquerade Column Centerpiece: Tutorial

Create an element of mystery, opulence and elegance for your event with the right centerpiece. Versatile clear column and plate pieces combine to create striking table decorations for Masquerade or Mardi Gras themed parties, proms or events. And, making one of these centerpieces takes only a few easy steps and some key ingredients such as a mask, deco mesh puffs, clear column with base and feathers.

The idea for this tall puff centerpiece with mini lights was inspired by a combination of hanging mesh pompoms from our previous blog post, and feather tree centerpieces (click here for our tutorial)that have been floating around the blogosphere. One of the great things about this centerpiece is that it is easy to change the colors and decorative accents to suit your needs for specific occasions. Here's how to make it.

SUPPLIES:

1. Clear Column Centerpiece Bases: (1) 6" Plate, (1) 18" Column and (1) 10" Plate

2. (1) 21"wide Purple Deco Mesh Roll

3. Phantom Stick Mask in Purple & Gold

4. Angel Grass Shred in Gold

5. Glitzy Sticks in Gold

6. Purple Ostrich Feathers

7. Battery LED Mini Light Strand

8. Scissors

9. Craft Wire

You can find all of these at MardiGrasOutlet.com.

STEP 1: Assemble the Centerpiece Base

  

Assemble the clear plastic centerpiece bases. The 10" plate should be at the bottom, into which you should insert the 18" column. Finally, place the 6" plate on top. These are perfect for adding height to make tall centerpieces.                                                

If needed, you can add another column and plate to make it taller, or use the 10" column to make the centerpiece shorter. All of these clear plastic centerpiece parts are interchangeable and fit together many different ways.

STEP 2: Fill the Column

For some sparkle, fill the column with purple deco mesh and mini lights. Cut about a 5 inch wide strip from your 21"x10 yard roll of mesh. Roll it tightly. Now, wrap the wired LED lights around the roll. Insert this into the column, with the battery end last, so that it sits on the top plate. You will need to roll the mesh tightly enough to fit into the column.

STEP 3: Make Deco Mesh Puffs

Make 3 deco poly mesh puffs with the purple mesh roll. The puffs give this centerpiece shape and volume. You can always use more puffs for a bigger and fuller centerpiece. 3 pom poms use up a little more than half a roll of deco mesh. For detailed directions, click here to see the previous blog post. Or, scroll down for a summary.

First, cut 3, 12 inch long pieces of craft wire to eventually tie the puffs together. Cut 3 sections of mesh that are each 2 feet long (3 pieces make 1 puff). Gather up one piece of mesh into one hand, and then layer on the other 2 pieces by first bunching in the middle. Tie it with craft wire in the middle where you have been holding. Make a loop with the wire ends so that it is easy to attach them to the centerpiece. Pull and fluff the puffs out. 

STEP 4: Assemble the Puffs and Mask on Stick

Insert the end of the phantom mask's stick through each of the wire loops to hold the puffs. The puffs should be spread out evenly, like a tutu, so that the centerpiece looks good from all angles. The mask acts as the focal point for this centerpiece.

STEP 5: Insert

Insert the mask's stick into the column as shown in the photo above. Adjust the puffs and mask and take a step back to make sure the centerpiece looks even. 

STEP 6: Create and Add Accents

Now you can add new textures and color accents. Insert 3 purple ostrich feathers around the mask into the column. Add about 5 gold glitzy sticks into the column. Glitzy sticks are wired and easy to twist around tubes to make spirals. You can also bend them into any other shape you need. 

Finally, cover the base with gold angel grass shred to complete the look. Another great thing about this centerpiece is that it is easy to move around the accents till you are happy with the arrangement.

MORE DECO MESH CENTERPIECE IDEAS

This type of centerpiece is easy to customize. Here is a different version topped with a beaded purple and gold princess mask and with about 5 purple ostrich feather placed throughout the mesh puffs instead of at the top.

A black & white color scheme would be great for Masquerade party as well. The only difference would be to use both black and white mesh pieces when you are making each puff.

Shown above is: 

1.White Metallic Deco mesh

2. Black and Gold Metallic Mesh 

3. Black and White Formal Feather Stick Mask

Having a party, birthday, wedding or event that isn't a masquerade? Here is a simplified version with  just the deco mesh puffs and lights, and another with feathers. Since there isn't a stick mask to hold and attach the puffs, simply use a thin wooden dowel or other type of stick. Choose accents and colors to customize for your event.

Deco mesh is a type of soft plastic netting  that holds a full shape very easily, and it comes in a huge range of colors, finishes like metallic, and many patterns. Click here to see a great selection.

Have fun!

How to: Fleur de Lis Silhouette Gift Wrap

Mardi Gras is around the corner, so we wanted to share some inspiration for a short DIY craft project: pop-up fleur de lis gift wrap. It's a simple but elegant way to accent gifts for krewe presents, Mardi Gras party favors and more. Cut-out template provided here for free!

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD

Supplies:

Gold Foil Wrapping Paper

Purple Foil Wrapping Paper

X-acto knife

Scissors, tape & pencil

STEP 1

Wrap the box in gold metallic wrapping paper first. Cut enough of the purple metallic wrapping paper to cover the present. 

Place the box at the center of the purple paper, and crease it around the box. This way you can center the fleur-de-lis design. The purple wrapping paper should be frontside down. 

STEP 2

Print out the fleur-de-lis template (click here to download), and cut the shape out. You will need a PDF reader to view it, click here to download.

STEP 3

Center the fleur de lis shape on the backside of the wrapping paper; use the creases as a guide. Trace half of the fleur de lis in pencil.

STEP 4

Use an X-acto knife and follow the line you drew to cut through the paper. Erase the pencil lines.

STEP 5

Now simply wrap the box with the purple cut-out paper as normal, following the creases you made. Fold open your fleur-de-lis pop-up silhouette.

This present is about 5 in. x 4 in. x 1 in., but the template can work for many other box sizes as well. You can try putting the fleur de lis at a diagonal or closer to a corner for larger boxes.

Looking for more DIY gift wrap ideas? Browse our previous blog posts:

Gift Wrap with Decorative Wire

Deco Mesh Gift Wrap: A Video Tutorial

Wrapping Small Treats

Valentine's Day Wreath Ideas with Deco Mesh & Work Wreath Forms

With Valentine's Day around the corner, here are a few more DIY craft ideas using our work wreath forms. These different red Valentine's Day heart wreaths were inspired by some of our previous wreath tutorials. Keep reading for instructions on how to create these wreaths using the work wreath forms, lame fabric and deco mesh!

Crush Lame Heart and Arrow Wreath

This crushed lame heart and arrow wreath was inspired by our previous St. Patrick's Day wreath pictured here. For the Valentine's day version, we use the same concept, but replace the gold clover with a silver arrow and heart.

CLICK HERE for previous blog post with instructions on how to attach the lame fabric to the work wreath form. Use the supplies listed below in place of the ones used for the St. Patrick's Day wreath.

Supplies needed:

(1) 24-inch Red Work Wreath Form

(1) Dark Red Lame Fabric Roll

(1) Aluminum Craft Wire

(1) White Deco Flex Tubing Ribbon

*the supplies needed for these wreaths are available at Mardi Gras Outlet.com

To make the heart and arrow, first insert the craft wire into the deco flex tubing ribbon and shape the heart. Then with two short pieces, form the arrow head and the arrow tail. Attach at opposite corners on the heart before securing to the wreath.

Huge Red Heart Wreath

made with red deco mesh

This is one HUGE heart decoration. By combining two candy cane wreath forms, you create a big heart shape measuring about 36-inches x 40-inches! This large size is great for outdoors or big wall displays.

CLICK HERE for our previous blog post with detailed instructions on how to attach deco mesh to a work candy cane form. Use the supplies listed below and follow steps 1 to 4 in the tutorial section. 

You will need to make 2 red candy canes that face opposite directions. Once you have made them, attach them together at each of the top and bottom ends with sturdy craft wire.

Supplies needed:

(2) Red Candy Cane Work Wreath Forms

(2) 21"x10yd Rolls of Metallic Red Deco Mesh

Strong Craft Wire

Grapevine Heart Wreath with Red Bow

For a simple but pretty Valentine's Day wreath, make a big red bow and attach it to our heart shaped grapevine wreath. This bow was created by combining a deco flex tubing ribbon bow on top of a deco mesh ribbon bow, and attached on the left with craft wire. Click here to see simple bow-making instructions.

Supplies needed:

(1) Grapevine Heart Wreath Form

(1) 2.5" Red Deco Mesh Ribbon

(1) Metallic Red Deco Flex Tubing Ribbon

Craft Wire

Wire Heart Wreath with Pink Bow

Crinkle Sheer is a type of fabric with texture and sheen that goes well with this pre-made wire heart wreath form. Attach the crinkle sheer bow to the mesh wire frame at the top left with craft wire. Click here for a video on how to make a bow.

Supplies needed:

(1) Wire Heart Wreath Form

(1) Light Pink Crinkle Sheer Roll

Craft Wire

And if you haven't see the tutorial for this spiral wreath, check it out! 

It shows you how to make this super curly deco mesh heart wreath. 

DIY Mardi Gras Feather Tree Centerpiece

Popular feather trees are a great festive, glitzy centerpiece option for a Mardi Gras party. Add in some glittered harlequin masks and Mardi Gras beads and your Mardi Gras themed centerpiece is complete. Here is a tutorial to show you how surprisingly easy and quick these feather tree centerpieces are to make.

Supplies:

Diamond Party Mask: Mardi Gras

Clear Column Centerpiece Base: (1) 6" Centerpiece Plate, (1) 18" Column and (1) 10" Centerpiece Plate

Ostrich Feathers: Purple (2 packs), Green (2 packs) and Yellow (1 pack). 

       These come in packs of 6 feathers that range from 14 to 16 inches long.

Mardi Gras Beads in Purple, Green and Gold (12mm sized beads in 42-inch long strands)

Dry Floral Foam Brick

Scissors

Hot Glue

Wooden dowel or balloon stick

Optional: Mardi Gras Doubloons

STEP 1: Assemble the Centerpiece Base

Put together the clear plastic centerpiece form using a 10-inch plate at the bottom, the 18-inch column, and the 6-inch plate at the top. These pieces (each sold separately) fit together easily with out any glue or adhesive. The centerpiece form is 20-inches tall. The completed centerpiece with feathers will be about 35-inches tall and 26-inches wide.

If you need a different height, all of the clear plastic pieces are interchangeable. For instance, to make this same centerpiece shorter, use the 10-inch tall column. You can also make the centerpiece very tall by adding the 10-inch or 18-inch column to what you see above, and adding a second 6-inch plate at the top. To see the whole selection of plates, columns and bases, click here.

STEP 2: Fill the Column

First, place a piece of clear packing tape at the bottom opening of the centerpiece base, so the beads do not fall out if you need to move the centerpiece. Cut one of each color Mardi Gras bead so that it is one long strand. Hold all three strands together and drop into the column. Use another 1/2 strand to fill up the column to the top. 

STEP 3: Insert Floral Foam

Using scissors or a utility knife, cut out a piece of dry floral foam into a 1 in. x 1 in. 4 in. block. Insert into the top of the centerpiece column so that about half sticks out. The block shouldn't wiggle around,  but be stuck in at the top. Use hot glue to glue in place if necessary. You can also use a bouquet holder.

STEP 4: Attach the Ostrich Feathers

Start at the bottom, and insert the ends of ostrich feathers into the floral foam. Alternate the colors and go all the way around, turning the centerpiece as you go. The feathers should be angled downward at about 45-degrees, as shown in the photo on the left. 

Next, insert the feathers a little higher than 90-degree angle. Again, alternate colors and go all the way around, filling in the empty space.

Finally, insert feathers at the top. Now is the time to move feathers around to fill spaces, and to add extra feathers where needed. Turn your centerpiece all the way around to make sure it looks good from all angles.

STEP 5: Glue a Stick to the Mask

This Diamond Glitter Mardi Gras Mask comes with ribbon ties. Cut these off, and attach a thin wooden dowel or any sturdy, thin stick to the back side of the mask with hot glue.

STEP 6: Add Your Accents

Insert the mask stick into the floral foam and column, near the center. This will be the focal point of the center piece. To add more length and drama to the centerpiece, hang 3 uncut strands of your purple, green and gold Mardi Gras beads from the top centerpiece plate. Secure with some hot glue.

You're finished! 

You can also scatter more beads, the same diamond mask and Mardi Gras coins around the base to add a festive feel to the tablescape. These accents can even act as easy party favors for guests to take home.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Here are even more Mardi Gras centerpiece ideas and tutorials:

Custom Mardi Gras Centerpiece

Air-Filled Balloon Centerpiece

Mardi Gras Floral Arrangement with Submersible Aqua Lights

Making a Valentine Heart Wreath with Deco Mesh

Meet your sweet heart at the front door with this cute heart wreath! Celebrate Valentine's day by creating this deco mesh heart shaped wreath made with a new technique using the deco mesh curls. These deco mesh curls are very easy to fall for! You will see how easy it is to make in this step-by-step DIY tutorial.

SUPPLIES:

Box Wire Wreath Form: 20-inch round

21-inch Deco Mesh Roll: Burgundy

Glamour Rope: Fuchsia

Craft Wire

Scissors

Pliers/Wire Cutters

All of the supplies you need can be found at Mardi Gras Outlet.com.

STEP 1: Bend the Wreath Form

Take the 20-inch round box wire wreath form and bend into a heart shape. This step takes some elbow grease, so use a strong person if there is one around.

An alternative is to use 2 wire coat hangers. Bend both into a heart shape, and then wrap them together with craft wire. This makes it sturdier and wider so that your deco mesh curls will stay put.

STEP 2: Cut the Deco Mesh

Make the curls by cutting pieces of deco mesh that are about 9-inches wide. Deco mesh curls naturally, so an easy way to measure is to let it curl for 1 loop, and then trim (see above photograph). You need about 20 pieces, which uses up most of the roll.

STEP 3: Cut in Half

Cut all of the curls in half except for 1 piece.

STEP 4: Cut Wire

Cut around 20 pieces of red craft wire. They should each be about 10 to 12 inches long.

STEP 5: Tie Curls

Roll a curl tightly, and hold together in one hand with a second tight curl. Use a piece of craft wire to secure them together at the cut end. Leave a few inches of extra wire hanging out.

For a more even-looking wreath, make sure the pair of curls are close together and pointing in the same direction. Notice that the wire doesn't bunch the curls, but holds the ends together flatly.

STEP 5: Attach to Wreath Form

Begin at the bottom left side and secure the curls to the wire wreath form, using the extra loose craft wire. The curls should be pointing down and to the right. Attach a second pair a few inches above the first. The curls should point down and cover where you secured the first pair. 

STEP 6: Fill the Wreath Form

Continue attaching the curls until you reach the top center of the heart. Now fill in the other half by starting at the bottom right in the same way.

STEP 7: Cover the Top Center

Once you have filled in the wreath, you'll probably notice some exposed ends at the top center. Remember the one curl you didn't cut in half? Use that and an extra long piece of craft wire to cover it. Attach by centering the curl and tying it only at the middle to the wreath form.

STEP 8: Add Accents

Using wire cutters, cut about 8 pieces of fuchsia glamour rope that are about 10-inches long. Glamour rope is a type of glitter wire that you can bend into shapes. Bend the ends of them into heart shapes and curls with pliers.

Attach to the box wire wreath form by wrapping the other end tightly. Leave space between the glamour rope accents.

You're finished!

Deco mesh and glamour rope come in many colors and finishes like metallic, wide foil and patterns. We think this style of wreath would look great in not only in burgundy, but also in wide foil red, hot pink, metallic pink or white/red stripes. It depends on your personal preference and what best matches your decor.

We have even more ideas for Valentine's Day Wreaths. CLICK HERE to see our new post.

Happy Crafting & Happy Valentine's Day!

*To see more tutorials and ideas on how to craft with deco mesh, click here or click on our "Videos" page above.