Natural Zen Rose and Pebble Centerpiece

Enjoy nature's Zen indoors with this soothing, understated centerpiece; silk roses, moss and twigs encircle a foam ball, and natural pebbles adorn the pot.

Materials:

• STYROFOAM™Brand Foam:
  • Balls: one 5", two 4"
• Textured stone spray paint: travertine tan, charcoal sand
• Suede spray paint: caramel
• Spray paint: warm brown
• Terra cotta pots, one 5" and one 4"
• Multi-color river rocks, one bag
• Natural color reindeer moss, one bag
• Acrylic paints: white, black, light tan
• Rose buds, 14 pale pink
• Wicker balls, two 4"
• Paint brushes: small and 2"
• Paper towels
• Skewers or wooden pick, two 4"
• Wire cutters, floral shears or scissors
• Serrated knife and candle
• Felt furniture protectors, adhesive backed (optional)
• Cardboard box (for spray painting)
• E6000 Glue
• Thick white craft glue or glue gun and glue sticks

Steps:

1. Wax the knife blade with an old candle for easier cutting; cut in half the three balls of STYROFOAM brand foam.
    
2. Cover one half of the 5" ball and one half of a 4" ball with the reindeer moss, using white craft glue or low temp glue gun.
    
3. Before spray painting, carefully read and follow all manufacturer's instructions listed on the label. Place terra cotta pots in cardboard box and spray paint randomly with warm brown and suede paint. While paint is wet, randomly spray both colors of the textured stone paint on each pot. Let dry.
    
4. Randomly spray warm brown and suede paint very lightly onto the pots; remove some paint with paper towel. Let dry.
    
5. Lay 5" pot on its side and position it so it's stable and will not roll. Using a skewer or wooden pick, apply small amounts of E6000 glue to the top band of the pot; place glue on each pebble and adhere to the top band, forming a mosaic that covers the band. Work slowly and let the glue partially dry before rotating pot. To mimic Mother Nature, keep colors random. Repeat with 4" pot. Let glue dry.
    
6. Form a spiral design on front of each pot using the river rocks and E6000 glue; let dry. Form a second spiral on the opposite side of each pot. Suggestion: For added interest, form the spirals on each pot in opposite directions.
    
7. Using small brush, very lightly apply light tan and black acrylic paint around the pebbles, creating random highlights on the pots. Use a damp paper towel to blend the colors.
    
8. Use wire cutters or scissors to cut a 4" opening in each of the wicker balls. Carefully separate and flatten the wicker twigs and remove any frame supports. Shape into a nest shape and spread the center twigs to create a 2" round opening in the center.
    
9. Position the wicker nest shape over the rounded side of each moss covered half ball; secure any loose twigs with small amounts of glue.
    
10. Trim the stems of the roses to approximately 2", apply glue to the ends, and insert them into the top of each moss covered half ball.
     
11. Glue half of one 4" ball in the bottom of each pot. Apply glue to one end of a 4" skewer and insert into center of pots.
     
12. Apply glue to the exposed ends of the skewers and push the moss and rose covered half balls down onto the skewers until the edges of the half balls rest evenly on the top rims of the pebble pots.
     
13. Glue small pieces of reindeer moss to cover any exposed edges of the pot rims or exposed glue.
     
14. Apply four small, adhesive-backed felt pads to the bottoms of each pot to protect your furniture (optional).
     

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For more project ideas, please see styrofoamstyle.com.