How to Make Cheap Christmas Village Pine Trees Look Better

[@BlackMagicCraftOfficial]

COMMENT PREDICTION: "Are you spraying clear coat inside?!?! Doesn't that kill you?!?!?!" When using a spray varnish it is important to work in a well ventilated area.....well ventilated....that means opening some windows and setting up a fan. Wear a respirator meant for paint fumes if you are really concerned. You don't need to spray atop the highest peak of a mountain to keep the air fresh. For the record my shop has 4 windows I can open while spraying, two of which are very large, and in the winter with the temperature difference inside vs out they exchange the air very quickly.

[@BlackMagicCraftOfficial]

Just checked that link and the price is crazy high, like $67. I'm guessing they have since sold out at whatever price you found them for and bots are now raising the price from other sellers.

[@BlackMagicCraftOfficial]

PS, even if you don't buy what I linked to, if you buy something else after clicking that still helps out the channel with a kickback from amazon ;)

[@G0ldmoon]

Hey, I recently got really into all of this and have binged many of your videos. All your amazon referral links are for US/Canada, any chance you could throw up some UK links too? I really want to throw some support your way and was thinking of doing a full shop.

[@zealottk]

Have you ever created trees with spots for minis to stand in, that doesn't just look like a tree with a platform in it? I'm constantly having characters that want climb/jump into a tree and hide or shoot from a them. Thoughts? Also, those trees look HOT!

[@matthewthechosenoneflatt1452]

Black Magic Craft hey you should check out Luke towen's channel he does dioramas for model trains and things like that where he makes haybails furnaces and other things similar to what you make and his techniques could be applied and adapted to what you do cuz you both use similar materials if you check it out let me know what you think

[@woozleboy]

Trimming the trees into irregular shapes with some gaps on the sides will get rid of the conical Christmas tree look. For conifers, painting the entire tree with primer brown goes a long way towards killing the plastic fake green. Primer grey works well as a base for colder climates. These trees really only have needles on the exposed exteriors, with tbe interior branches bare and a brownish grey. Turn the trees upside down and spray black paint on the under side. It suggests shadow and depth. A base medium green flocking or ground foam works, but a lighter shade dusted lightly as a second coat will give it a nice highlight.

[@KelsaurusRex]

Wow! Thank you, that sounds like it would make a humongous improvement in the realism of miniatures

[@aberrantbunny6793]

I really like the action shots. Like when you were pouring the extra flocking back into the canister. It made the video *feel* better somehow. I don't know how to describe it, but nice work.

[@Michele-qz9sn]

I love this method. I works so well and the trees look so much better. Thanks for showing this. I tried it once 6 trees and now have a bucket full soaking.

[@edwardforbus2318]

This is Ed from Ed and Joyces Custom Dollhouses. Nice job I plan on doing this for my log cabin I am currently working on.

[@Nat1videos]

These are perfect ! Definitely going to be using this technique. Great video 👍👍👍

[@AliiSparkle]

🎄2 years later and this is just what I need to make my 3D ornaments not suck! Thanks! 🎄

[@tulipsmoran5197]

I'm kinda lazy with so much work associate with rejiggering this year's design changes, incorporating new pieces/accessories so I remove the bases from all my trees and simply poke a hole where I want them and insert. Taking them down at end of season is really quick and easy. I plan to incorporate this technique on similar bulk trees of various sizes. I think it really takes the cheap trees to the next level. I've invested quite a bit into spending trees and this technique will help the pocket book. I plan to treat three bags of trees. I also like the uniformity of color with this approach. You solved my dilemma of how to add a forested area without breaking the bank. On the inhalation of fumes thing...I always wait for a mild sunny fall day, set up a work board outside and spray away. I also use my hot tools outdoors as well. Thanks!

[@bettsdn]

For real. These trees look so freaking good. You've got me looking for a way to do a deciduous tree version of this now!

[@OrlandoGameRoom]

Ahh as a Northerner who moved down South 12 years ago, it warms my heart to hear someone say POP instead of soda.

[@TheRavenLilian]

Wow that looks really good. I bet if I found some round trees in the right size I could do this and make them into bushes for a doll house. Thank you so much.

[@beverleybell128]

I hope you are well. New to this hobby. Your presentation is perfect. A born teacher with ease into lessons, or tutorials.Well done.Love your work.

[@shadowcat6lives639]

I bought about 60 trees from my dollar store when they had a 10% off coupon. I was wondering how i was going to fix them up, but now I don't have too. So thank you Black magic craft!

[@dianaphillips8038]

Spraying with the varnish helps with keeping them dusted and allowing the use of a air spray can.

[@russellmiles8783]

Huge success is an understatement! These are astonishing.

[@Csrumk]

I liked all the parts of your video, but my favorite was seeing your kitchen sink.

[@wizkidd2079]

The 1# thing I really enjoyed about this video was your sink. Love that style of sink lol

[@IrishAnnie]

Those turned out great! They look so much better.....looks natural.

[@vienslatelier]

So I started this project after watching both videos for the final terrain pieces. This portion was very sticky messy and kind of fun. I did spray the hell out of my trees to keep them from shedding. And, I did have to flock parts of them a second time. But overall a good project and hunting down the trees in stores was a bit of an adventure.

[@lindamiller3991]

Will be sharing your link with several "christmas village friends". I'm sure they will find your post as informative as my husband and I did. Thank-you for posting this!

[@sharaleeinsley7289]

And now... I have miniature tree envy. Little wooden bases would look awesome.

[@LEVARIOMIKE]

I use the same type of trees for my 1/24 scale rc crawler course. I'm going to try this . what I was doing was wash off the white flocking then I would use spray paint to give it better color and add a little thickness to them. Yours are definitely better than mine.👍

[@recycledbottlescraft]

Great and beautiful idea!

[@Kellywho5]

Great content as always. This makes those trees looks so much better.

[@janalovespaper]

Yes!!! Those look so much better and the process looks super simple. Thanks for sharing your skills and creativity!

[@BardsCraft]

I would be nice to have some kind of battlemat / terrain board where you can simply stick in trees without using any bases

[@meadbringer]

You can always use a foam tile. You can just have the trees stuck on that tile then you can remove them later as needed

[@zarlus8]

I thought about using ceiling tiles for a while, but they chip too easily.

[@Candorsmayhem]

Try roofing felt

[@laptitegraine1298]

Very nice! With the poking bottom of the trees you could easily makes replacable basing. Quick ready for any kind of map.

[@AnneAndersonFoxiepaws]

Oh thanks....now if I could only remember where I stashed the bag of trees! This turned out great!

[@judydeangeles9516]

I sure did like this I have a Christmas village I did every tree and they turned out. I’m talking 200 trees my village takes up a whole room Thanks for the best idea

[@heathergustafson4237]

Have you ever flocked these with a color like pink? These are great!

[@lordjesseye2685]

I've got sveral hundred of those been buying them for years, I've tried everything and you just solved one problem. However mine all have wooden dowel bases not plastic. My solution to that has been clay, pushed on two inch metal washers baked and spray painted flocked to match my table. Nice heavy sturdy bases. Pos looking bright green trees. Thank you. I see a mess in my future lol

[@debbiebrown8752]

Very real looking. Spray snow or white paint next

[@boldbeagle6678]

Cheers to simple solutions that work really damn well!

[@naomicupcakes8102]

Thank you for putting in links for both the US and Canada

[@stuartfarrell6729]

just re-referenced this video I am now in the process of making my trees

[@borkpork8824]

Wow, this was super helpful! :D I found a pack of 4 pure white trees from the dollar store where I live for $2 (Dollarama if anyone is wondering) for a Christmas one-shot I ran. The flocking kept falling off but it was almost as if the trees were magical and covered the map in tiny bits of snow XD I`m going to pick up some more trees though because I really want some green pines for my d&d group to use all of the time. I will certainly be using the techniques shown in this tutorial thank you so much the group is going to love them :D

[@CrazyCrethon]

Your new kitchen looks nice!

[@yancyperez5485]

I love it but i dont know what is the dust that you use... Maybe sawdust?

[@rebeccacarter5520]

Trees are Gorgeous

[@jeremydailey]

I did this very thing to my Dollar Store tree a few weeks ago! Worked great and makes you realize that spending tons of money on Woodland Scenics trees is sort of silly lol.

[@devonsimpson7122]

Hey, loved the outcome of the trees! Quick question though, you had two flocking containers on the side in differed colours. Did you mix them together throughout the tree length or did you spot sprinkle the different green to give variation?

[@BlackMagicCraftOfficial]

Tried both on one and did not like. Ended up going with the darker green for the rest and not using the more olive green (which was also coarse vs fine I believe).

[@lovecraftwithme]

Awesome-sauce, epically transformed. Thanks for sharing your genius :)

[@rexb333]

"Liked"! Thanks. Helped me turn my Christmas village trees into summer model train layout trees. I switched to a plastic bristle brush instead of wire. And next time i'll do it in a bucket outside instead of the kitchen sink. Overall, very helpful video to get the sisal off! Thanks! : - )

[@thehastyterrainmaker9485]

I found hair spray works wonders for a complete lock in after a water/glue solution

[@thelastlaugh9724]

I watch for the tips. And stay for the awesome shirts BMC is always rocking.

[@mikekennedy2733]

First time viewer and now I’m a fan!

[@chrisfox961]

Great video! This will be very valuable as those Christmas trees are cheap on clearance after the holidays!

[@redmist1122]

What a super cool and cheap hack for those trees. I suspect you have unleashed the hounds to all the craft stores where these things are sold and we'll have a hobby crisis as they're all sold out. Great stuff...looking forward to you basing project.

[@RyngsRaccoon]

Suggestion. Take the white bases, paint and flock them to look like spring/summer bases. :)

[@dalewood3676]

Just bought 2 bags of those a couple weeks ago! Thanks nicely done.

[@judymckerrow6720]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 3 years later 🎄💚🙃

[@madmusial]

GAH wish I wasn't moving right now, I would totally be doing this as soon as I got home.

[@Jamie-zs2bl]

Wow! Such a great idea! I want to try this so bad, but I just know that my arthritis will kick in after spraying about five trees. 😔 I just wish that we could purchase great looking little trees for a cheap price without having to do anything to them! But these turned out soooooo good!

[@WylochsArmory]

Dem subways tiles and dark grout. Oh yeah.

[@golfgunsandcocktailschannel]

Looks so awesome. Can't wait to see you do winter trees. 😃👍

[@Batshitcrazy57]

Love this. They look 100% better

[@mercedesfiorella6736]

I am so glad to find you your very talented. I loved your trees....

[@claylewis8233]

SLOW MO!!!!! great video, great results with the trees

[@giselawestrich752]

Wow... I know what I am doing with my trees once I dig out my Xmas village totes 🤣🤣🤣

[@giovannacarmenpaola4231]

Che belli questi alberelli!

[@dawneephay]

Did you ever do a video on putting snow flocking back on the trees after you fixed them with green flocking. These look awesome btw

[@bhartibhatia7699]

Wow what beautiful model of tree love it 😍

[@normajones9827]

Love these so will make next year. Thanks for sharing.merry Christmas.

[@jackefron2615]

can't stop loving uuu

[@davidsimpkins7495]

Hi I,m from the UK that's a great idea love the colour of them I'm going to have a go at that thx

[@MagnaRyuuDesigns]

Cool thing is if you don't re-use the bases for the trees you have a bunch of cool bases for custom creatures

[@scelago_games]

Awesome video mate! just bought some trees from Aldi. thanks heaps!!!

[@1of2shoes]

This video appeared in my feed today. You got a new subscriber.

[@karrieratcliff7418]

Man! You are so smart! People will be copying this idea for years! Also, the tree company should offer you stock since their sells are going to go up this year and on! Great ideas as always! Thanks for sharing. Happy Holidays!

[@nikkiejones4606]

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing

[@Angie-ci1lp]

WOW! Awesome!!!!! Great job! You just taught me something new👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽.Peace

[@albaluciapinedadiaz8338]

Hermosos ,pinos naturales ,para exportacion a nivel mundial ,en temporada navideña para proyectos de villas etc tambien blancos , Saludos desde colombia

[@TheStonehammerFiles]

might I suggest sculpted bases? Pretty much sculpt a stump with a hole in the middle to make it look even more realistic.

[@noemid1458]

Thank you for sharing your video. your trees look amazing 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@richardorta8960]

I think this video just helped me realize why my homemade wash isn't working!

[@mercibeaucoup2486]

Omg who r you where have i been this channel rocks

[@matimurray5078]

I want the trees in my Christmas village to kook like yours.

[@TonyJ1776]

I am envious of that farm sink...

[@BlackMagicCraftOfficial]

It’s not a farmhouse sink. Farmhouse sinks are apron fronted and larger. This is simply a single basin sink 🧐......but thanks😀

[@gaslitworldf.melissab2897]

Huge improvement. I wonder how realistically they come and the price difference.

[@josiesilva9440]

Awesome am going to try

[@nicolasfredette8564]

You know you're getting tired when you use your thumb for the spray bottle. XD

[@karenwedemire6093]

Very cool idea 👍

[@joyceterra2265]

Loved this. Will be trying this too.

[@barryparks4689]

Useful stuff. Many thanks

[@erinhallmakes777]

Just wondering if you had tips for making them less monochromatic. They look really great especially compared to how they started but they're all too one color and usually trees have variation more

[@AliiSparkle]

I ground up different kinds of herbs instead of flocking and used that instead. Looked great and there are lots of more natural looking colours than using fake flocking 👍 Parsley was a great green, red chili flakes for red, etc

[@dawneephay]

@@AliiSparkle how did it hold up?

[@fasco69]

Love the video super helpful.

[@elisabethclancy3949]

I will try this ! Thank you for your great video plus inspiring me !

[@gerryarmstrong3518]

Thank you for the tutorial. I love learning these things. Could you use starch to make them a bit stiff?

[@mmmuted]

Hey, why not use some of that texturing paste to do bases? Could use the heavier textures especially, do some grassy colors and dry brush white or something to give a light snow cover or something similar, especially if you do a light snow cover on one of the trees to match. I'm still sorta new to things so it might not work the way Im thinking but its worth a shot!

[@MissisSheDevil]

This would make any god awful fake Christmas foliage look sooooooo much better

[@Zuxiasunicorn]

Nice job. Did you manage to fill in the gaps somehow? Seems the bigger ones come out of the bulk bag in bad shape. You did something similar with the adhesive that I did with handmade wire trees. I painted them black, dunked them in Elmers and water then put them in a big lidded container to shake them up with black duck decoy flocking.

[@mike1968442]

Thanks for sharing!!!

[@dottiemcclung1714]

Cool ideas 👍

[@GeorgeK1988UK]

Great video! Definitely going to try this as I have the same trees for games!

[@ericpalmer7214]

Great vid!

[@velmacoffey3763]

Great idea!!

[@scottudave4499]

PVA glue- Parts of Various Animals glue. Trees look good.

[@BlackMagicCraftOfficial]

Polyvinyl acetate doesn’t come from animals.

[@salagadula84]

Just a question - what kind of flock are you using on the trees?

[@wandacruz5183]

Tremenda idea muy lindos los arbolitos

[@johnrafaelferrer9284]

It's beautiful bro... Nice tutorial..😊