The Vision
Jacqui wanted to capture the fleeting moment of early autumn, when the trees are still clinging to their color, branches light and alive before winter strips them bare. The goal was to create something airy and organic—birch branches that looked like they were gathered from the woods, but with the flexibility to shift into winter with ease.
The Making
The process began with pool noodles as the branch cores. Jacqui taped them together at slight bends to mimic the natural twist of birch trees. She cut into them with a serrated blade to form offshoot twigs, twisting the cut sections away from the base and securing them with more tape. Tissue paper bundled and taped onto the noodles became knots and knubs, placed carefully over seams for reinforcement.
Once the form was shaped, she wrapped everything in masking tape, covering ends to hide the hollow interiors. Then came texture: strips of crumpled tissue paper hot-glued around the branches, wrinkled just enough to mimic the irregular surface of bark.
The artistry emerged in the painting. A base coat of soft off-white set the stage, followed by hand-painted details: dark gray strokes dry-brushed along the length, thin brown lines slipped between them, and subtle spiral swirls at the ends. The key, Jacqui said, was in the imperfections—letting nature’s asymmetry shine.
Finally, the foliage: crisp orange leaves pressed into the foam with wooden skewers. No glue was needed, which means the display can evolve. When winter arrives, the orange will be swapped for twinkling lights—autumn melting seamlessly into the holidays.
The Finished Display
Hung overhead, the branches seem weightless—striped bark twisting with character, leaves suspended mid-drift. The installation feels like walking beneath the very best parts of autumn: warm light, rustling color, and that gentle reminder that change can be beautiful.
Fall doesn’t shout—it arrives softly, layering in color and texture until one day you look around and feel wrapped in it. That’s what this installation is about: nostalgia, transformation, and the quiet joy of the season.
