Simply say the word "bedazzle" and Kevin Sharkey is in. "A mini forest of ethereal rock-candy trees, adorned with colored crystals, is heaven to me," he says. "It reminds me of the opening credits in "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" with Burl Ives. There's magic in multiples -- make at least three for maximum effect. This trio makes for a fabulous welcome in an entryway or a shimmering centerpiece on a holiday table."

Tools and Materials

• Foam tree forms in various heights
• Hot-glue gun
• Rock candy on string, cut into 3-inch pieces
• Wax strips
• Crystals or rhinestones, in various shapes and sizes
• Stylists' wax
• Lucite tea-light holders

Rock-Candy Trees How-To

1. Beginning at the bottom edge of 1 foam form, apply a 3-inch square of hot glue. Press rock-candy pieces firmly into glue until set.
2. Repeat, working your way up the tree. Fill in any gaps with loose rock candy until the form is completely covered.
3. Affix crystals or rhinestones to the tree using stylists' wax (so you can remove the pieces and use them again next year), spacing them as you would ornaments. (Tip: You can also use other candy, wrapped or unwrapped, to embellish your tree. Simply attach with hot glue.)
4. Apply hot glue around the opening of 1 tea-light holder. Center the tree on top; press firmly until set. (Tip: If you have difficulty finding tea-light holders, you can also use a glittered wooden block as the trunk for the tree.)

Foam cones, michaels.com. Rock candy, in White, economycandy.com. Wax strips, setshop.com. Swarovski Elements crystals, swarovski-crystallized.com. Oslo candleholders, crateandbarrel.com.