© by Noreen Doll.
An Edgar Allen Poe topiary is perfect for Halloween. He was a master of creepy story telling, and The Raven is one of his works.
You can even use some recyclables to make this easy topiary.
What You Need
A Black Bird
Styrofoam Ball
Newspaper – Cut into 2 inch squares
Tacky Glue or other glue
Recycled Tin Can
Wood Dowel – 10 1/2 inches long, 1/4 inch diameter
Plaster of Paris
Black Spray Paint
What You Do
1. Push one end of the dowel into the styrofoam ball to make an indentation for the dowel later. Remove the dowel from the ball.
2. Put enough Plaster of Paris and water (follow directions on the box) into the can to fill the can about 2 inches.
Use the Plaster of Paris OUTSIDE to prevent it possibly going down your drains and creating a stoppage. Clean the plaster from items with your garden hose.
3. Mix the water and Plaster of Paris and quickly stick the dowel into the middle.
Hold the dowel for a minute or two to be sure it will stay standing straight in the center of the can. Let harden.
4. Cut newspaper into 2 inch squares. Crumple each square around your finger tip, and using the glue, attach it to the styrofoam ball until the ball is completely covered – except for a small area around the dowel opening.
Put the squares fairly close together, and don’t leave big spaces. Let dry.
5. Using the black spray paint, spray the dowel and the can, inside and out. Use a second coat if needed. Let dry.
6. Put a small dab of glue in the dowel hole, and attach the styrofoam ball to the top of the dowel of your Edgar Allen Poe topiary.
7. Using the wire on the black bird’s feet, attach the bird to the top of the styrofoam ball.
8. You can tie a ribbon around the can or dowel, but I prefer it plain.
You can use an Edgar Allen Poe topiary for a centerpiece on your Halloween table.
Discover where Edgar Allan Poe shops!
Noreen Doll
Donna Wilkes says
Love this! I am going to make this! Love the warning about Plaster of Paris in the drain. When I was a beginning teacher, I let a student pour the excess from a project down the drain before I thought. Administration was not happy!
Winnie says
Love your project! Fun idea to make a Poe Topiary! Love the use of the newspaper!
Amberly says
Classic! I love this play on the traditionally fussy and super fancy topiary!
-Amberly!
Meeha says
I love this, very simple and striking!
Cranberry Morning says
That is so cute! I love the newspaper hydrangea. And of course the raven. Now if I can just find a raven. I’ve gotta do this!!
TheGirls@WhimsicallyHomemade says
This is awesome! Wish I had came across this before my Edgar Allan Poe party. Would have been perfect. Found you through the Creative Me Linky!
admin says
I found the raven in the Dollar Store (called a Black Crow) for $1.
Mixed Kreations says
Love you project. Really cool and simple. Found you on the Show me how blog party.
Thank you for sharing.
Jill says
Very neat!
Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
Tina from A Few Pretty Things says
Very creative and adequately creepy!
Crystelle says
I love it: it’s fabulous. So appropriate for Halloween…..!
EEK!!!
Capri + 3--Theresa says
This is a great Halloween project. Children could do the newspaper part which would be fun for them. I love the finished topiary.
Buffie says
What a great project! Thanks for posting the idea with the great pictures!
Go see my “The Birds” tablescape @ http://papercuts4u.blogspot.com/
Buffie
becolorful says
I agree that this is such a fun Edgar Allen Poe nod. This is great, timely, fun, inexpensive to create and a bit out of the box. Thanks for sharing.
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Christy says
Another great, cheap, craft! Awesome!
Kathryn Griffin says
That is so creative! Thank you for sharing this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Karri Reiser says
Great project! I love how it turned out. Thank you for sharing at my Our Favorite Things Link Party. Have a great week.
Tulip says
Great idea! A Project anyone could make. Thanks for sharing at Mom’s Library.
lindsay says
Thank you so much for linking up to Sunday’s Sweet Confessions over at mommy’s sweet confessions! Have a great day!
Diann @ The Thrifty Groove says
This was fun. I made something similar this year.
Kim@ Too Much Time says
I just love this! Spooky without being in your face spooky-know what I mean?
Kim @ Too Much Time