Our Easter cross DIY brings the focus of Christ’s great sacrifice front and center in your home. A powerful symbol, its presence serves as a reminder of faith, hope and love. Without a doubt, a cross adds a sense of reverence and meaning to a space.
Depending on its design and material – wood, metal or ceramic – the cross can evoke a traditional, modern or rustic feel. In essence, the cross brings a depth of beauty to a room’s decor.
Assembling a Clothespin Cross
All things considered, this is an easy craft with great results. With this in mind, I’ll show you a couple of ways to display the cross in your home. You’ll find, however, that the options seem endless.
This time I’ve decided to finish the Easter cross DIY in a rustic style. Nevertheless, it can be finished to coordinate with any number of home decor styles. What’s more, the Holy Family Metal-Edged Willow Tree ornament was a perfect match for the cross. Without Christmas, after all, there would be no cross upon which our Savior paid so great a cost for our salvation.
Supplies
- 12 wooden clip-on clothespins
- glue (hot glue or craft or wood glue)
- black acrylic paint
- brown acrylic paint
- cinnamon in a shaker bottle
- paper to cover/protect your work surface
- 1 heavy-duty stripping pad (or sand paper)
- Holy Family Metal-Edged Willow Tree Ornament
Instructions
- Begin by dividing the 12 clothespins into four sets of three. Glue one set together with the tips of the center clothespin even with the tops of the springs on the outer two clothespins. Repeat with two other sets. (The first three sets form the top and arms of the cross.)
2. Next, glue the last three clothespins together with the tips of the center clothespin even with the base of the springs on the outer two clothespins. (The final set forms the bottom of the cross.)
3. Now set the four pieces in place with the tips of the top and bottom pieces set against the side tips of the arms.
4. Then glue the four pieces together and allow them to dry.
5. Now lay the cross on a protected surface and paint all visible surfaces with black acrylic paint. Moreover, don’t worry about painting neatly. A blotchy, uneven finish is desirable in this case.
6. This time, repeat the process with brown acrylic paint. (Don’t wait for the black paint to dry before proceeding with the brown paint.) Again, the brown paint application should be blotchy and uneven and not completely cover the layer of black paint.
7. Finally, sprinkle the exposed, painted surfaces of the cross with cinnamon.
8. Last of all, carefully tip the cross upright and gently tap it on the work surface to remove excess cinnamon. Set it back down and allow it to dry for several hours.
9. When the cross is completely dry, sand it to the desired rustic finish with a heavy-duty stripping pad.
10. Then remove the hanging cord from the Holy Family Metal-Edged Willow Tree Ornament. Finally glue it onto the center of the clothespin cross.
Notes & Tips for Our Easter Cross DIY
NOTES: All things considered, you may want to experiment, using single clothespins, with the amount of cinnamon you use. For example, I fully covered the paint with cinnamon. When it dried, it required sanding to create a rustic finish. However, when I used this technique on a metal snowflake, I used less cinnamon. The metal snowflake dried to a rustic finish without sanding. All in all, the amount of cinnamon used could make the difference. Or the material used (metal vs. wood) could make the difference. Let me know in the comments below if you try this technique and how you like it.
TIPS: You may find it helpful to elevate the cross while painting it. For example, wadded sheets of paper placed under the cross will provide elevation and are disposable.
Decorating With Your Easter Cross DIY
Once you’ve finished assembling your clothespin cross, you’re ready to decide how to display it. To keep with our rustic theme, I selected a distressed, 12-inch by 12-inch frame. Next, I removed the plexiglass and mat, and backed the interior of the frame with bright yellow scrapbooking paper. The paper hinted of a weathered, white-washed appearance that complemented the frame and the cross. Finally, I glued the cross onto the frame and the Willow Tree ornament onto the center of the cross.
All things considered, what I love most about this DIY is that it is perfect both for Easter and Christmas. For Easter, it displays beautifully above the mantel featuring four additional Willow Tree pieces:
- Metal Star Backdrop Willow Tree Nativity Accessory
- Angel Stand Willow Tree Nativity Accessory
- Angel of Prayer Willow Tree Figurine
- Willow Tree Nativity Table Runner (#1258108, available in-store or by contacting customer service at 800.361.6736 or customerservice@bronners.com)
And at Christmas, the framed DIY makes a striking focal point in a Christmas tree. (I love the use of tree toppers as additional focal points.) To be sure, the addition of these items to the tree completes the theme:
- Vintage-Styled Copper Bell Ornament
- Star 11-Inch Copper Line Tree Topper
- With Love Willow Tree Ornament
- Remembrance Willow Tree Ornament
- Willow Tree Nativity Table Runner used as garland (#1258108, available in-store or by contacting customer service at 800.361.6736 or customerservice@bronners.com)
Indeed, Willow Tree is one of the most versatile display collectibles available. You’ll want to try your hand at our DIY Wire Willow Tree.
DIY Eclectic Ornament Collection Cross
Christmas ornaments are for More Than Christmas! Keep some of your favorites out, just a little longer, by hanging an eclectic assortment in the shape of a cross atop a wood slab!
