St. Pat’s tree receives recognition

By Lissa Bell

news@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Area artist Marilyn Sweeney has provided beautiful handmade displays for Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church since 1968.

This month the church’s hallway display window features a St. Patrick’s Day theme. One of the trees included in the display, the Step Dancer Tree, was featured as a special “Project of the Week” in late February on the Better Homes and Gardens Web site at www.bhg.com.

Sweeney’s first project for the church was a life-sized Nativity scene, which was displayed on the sanctuary walls for three years and was then moved to the YMCA, where it is still on display.

“I’ve made numerous crafts for the church display over the years,” said Sweeney, who has been a member of Pleasant Grove since 1943.

After seeing a nut tree at her mother-in-law’s, Sweeney scaled back on size and began creating seasonal and themed candy trees.

“They’re colorful and have a sense of fun about them,” said Debra Steilen, editorial manager of 100 Days of Holidays for bhg.com. “Marilyn has such a wonderful sense of color and design.”

Using ornaments (tree toppers) for her inspiration, she has created many trees for holidays and special occasions.

“One thing just led to another,” she said. The figures on the tops of the trees prompt me to create a theme. … It’s a whole creative process.”

Sweeney begins with a Styrofoam cone and a tree topper, which determines the theme. From there she looks for candies and nuts that lend themselves to the colors and textures of the theme she is creating.

For example, a miniature circus clown lends himself well to alternating rows of candy, peanuts and popcorn.

Depending on the color of the angel topper, the candy on the tree will be in the same general color range. A white angel, according to Sweeney, looks best with soft pinks and whites directly beneath, graduating into deeper hues below, if desired, or using pastel pinks and whites throughout.

Starting from the base, she uses a glue gun to affix assorted wrapped and hard candies, gum drops, licorice, nuts, cinnamon sticks, etc.

“Larger pieces on the bottom row give better balance to the finished work,” said Sweeney.

By repeating the pattern every three or four rows, she creates a uniform design.

“The sky’s the limit with materials and design,” she said. “Be original and remember — enthusiasm ignites creativity.”

“It’s an easy project for just about anyone, said Steilen.

To protect the candy trees from hungry moths, Sweeney suggests using a clear glaze.

Sweeney’s work was accepted by bhg.com in December and was incorporated into its slide show format titled “100 Days of Holidays.” The slide show can be viewed online at www.bhg.com/Sweeney.