Votive Christmas Tree Project

I recently saw a little votive candle tree at one of my favorite shops and fell in love with it. I didn't like its price tag, though, and thought ... "I can make one of those!" Famous last words, huh? I did make one, but even after using materials I hand on hand, it ended up costing me several dollars more than that little tree in the shop (isn't that the way it always turns out?). But, mine is bigger and, I think, much prettier than the tree in the shop. I started with a tomato cage and a couple of vine garlands I rescued from my attic. I wound the garlands around the frame of the cage and attached them securely. I love their "airy" natural look. Then I painted the whole thing gold ... Next, I went shopping for votive holders that were lightweight and opaque. I attached the votive holders with my glue gun, then added the led tealights, which flicker and look very realistic, and are much safer than using real candles. After the tree was finished, it was pretty, but needed a little something else with the votives. I found these sweet little angels at Hobby Lobby and knew they would be perfect. When I started making my tree, I knew I wanted to use it on the sideboard in our dining room. I wanted a "neutral" look, and I'm very pleased with the way the tree turned out (it didn't take me long to discover that it was very hard to photograph, but I think you can get an idea of what it looks like, especially if you click on the pictures to enlarge them). I found this little gold metal angel and love it perched on the top of the tree. I wish my pictures were better, because it's much prettier "in person." Overall, I love the tree. If I was going to do another one, though, I think I would make it a little smaller.