looking for inexpensive frames

26 years ago

I am looking to purchase inexpensive single ball or sprial frames. I would like to make some ivy topiaries for Xmas presents and have been growing the ivy all summer. Does anyone have any links or info on where I can get some? I've tried Smith & Hawken and Garden.com but they're running about $15-20 each. I'd like to see if there's anything cheaper. Thanks in advance.

Featured Answer

Nandina - 8b

26 years ago

Beth,
I make all my own frames. Hey, I am a scrounger! Head for the nearest construction site. There should be long pieces of black metal banding material all over the place. These bands are used for holding lumber together for delivery. Also, there may be other treasures which can be shaped into forms.
Stop at the hardware store on the way home and buy some tiny nuts and bolts.
Ivy topiaries can become very heavy as they grow. You need strong supports. Start playing with the metal bands you have found. Create shapes. You will note that where two pieces meet you can drill holes with an electric drill and secure them together with the nuts and bolts. With a little thought simple animal forms can be made or triangles or circles, etc. It is easy to weave ivy through these forms. The majority of my topiaries are constructed this way.
Also, I rip long, very thin slices of treated 2x4's on the table saw. Soak them in water for an hour and they become very flexible and can be twisted into all sorts of shapes, again, secured with the tiny nuts and bolts. These will last a long time.
Hope this gives you a few ideas.

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Comments (9)

Alex
26 years ago
Hi, in australia we can buy paint in big tins that hold about 10 litres or so i suppose about 12 gallons or more (not sure about the conversion) these big tins have a round thick strong metal band around them, appoximately one foot in diameter, i use them for ivy topiaries they only come round, though . They last for ages are very strong and any one who buys paint in large quantities eg painting contractors or people with weatherboard homes will give them to you
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Anna
25 years ago
I'm not sure if it's in your price range, but I found a site that has numerous frames much cheaper than others I've looked at... I just ordered a 21' x 23' rabbit for $22. It's www.etopiary.com
Sue 6
25 years ago
I went to the flea market and bought 2 wire baskets ($1.00 ea), wired them together to form the ball and used a broom stick up the center of it. Worked out great. Would like next to try using the frame from a broken umbrella but want to string white lights along it first. Sue
Philocrates
25 years ago
We just got a metal ball frame there for $5.00 at end of season. It is about the size of a basketball. Don't know if that will suit but it is how I ended up here. The other half wants it in the garden with her mother's Ivy on it.
mark
25 years ago
Send me an email with your mailing address and I will send you a copy of a my newsletter article on how to build a three globe standard from aviary wire.
rosie sergent
24 years ago
just a beginner. would likew information on what to do next now that i have a frame. rosie
auntBren
24 years ago
hi beth, well, me too."all i want for christmas" is a few small 10-12" (inch) simple wire franes. circles will do. guess we could try making some out of coat hangers or other strong wire. Might as well try some . there, I've just answered my own question too. But if I do come across any I'll post the scorce here. Thanks anyway. P.S. even a double rail, wire wreath ring, (without the clamps) would work if part of it was cut out. Sue had a good suggestion about the 2 wire hanging baskets. that works too. (I'm also a scrounger at heart.) would also like a scorce in the Bristol, tn./ va. area for wire wreath rings. Thanks in advnce. Bren
klynnnn
23 years ago
This reply may be a bit late in coming, but I like to use the round rings from plant supports as basic topiary forms .. and my garden supply center always puts it's unsold and damaged-packaged items on sale for 75% off and last season they had some light post hangers (a round ring screws into the holder you attach to a standing light post) which are nice and heavy and make excellent ring topiares ... take a walk around your garden center super store and you should be able to come up with some good ideas (two or three rings together can form a ball...