I wanted to create a Halloween mantel with a spooky feel, and I knew they would be the perfect addition to make spray painted spooky Halloween decor out of! I had some old branches that were very twisty and turny, and I thought if I painted them with black paint, they would be perfect to add a bit of creepiness.
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The Contorted Filbert, aka Harry Launder’s Walking Stick, aka European Filbert is a really cool shrub that has super twisty and misshapen branches. They can grow to about 10 feet tall where I am, but often times die before they get any bigger. These had broken off from my tree in the yard. You might wonder if you can used a real tree branche for decor. You can, either in their natural state or painted. One thing about painting branches from the yard and bringing them inside…Make sure they are bug-free first so there are no surprises later. Use non-toxic wood, keep them away from open flame or heat, and always use in a safe way. Also, use with caution and keep out of reach of around small children and pets, as the branches could be hazards.
Gather the Supplies
To paint the branches, I used a tarp, craft paint and a paint sprayer. Spray paint could also be used like we did in this spooky luminary project.
Protect the Surface Before Painting
After placing them on a tarp to protect my outdoor surface, I used my HomeRight Super Finish Max 
Paint the Branches
Make sure to wear proper safety gear when painting and then spray the branches. Using a sprayer made it easy to paint the branches, because I could tip the sprayer to get in all of the hidden crevices and places that were oddly-shaped.
Turn Branches Over While Spray Painting
I turned the branches over a few times to make sure I covered the entire thing and get into all of the nooks and crannies of the branch. It was also helpful to adjust the nozzle to use a smaller spray pattern, so there isn’t a ton of paint waste with over-spray.
While I was waiting for my branches to dry, I decided to try painting some small pumpkins. Did you know you could paint pumpkins? You can also paint fake pumpkins to make them look more realistic.
They actually turned out kind of cool. If I was going to leave them outside, I would actually paint with an outdoor paint instead of a craft paint. Also, make sure not to mix them up with the fake ones when i’t time to put the decor away!
The branches were the perfect addition and it was easy to make spray painted Halloween decor! To get the branches to stand, I assembled the branches by screwing painted craft squares into the base with a screw.
If you want to see the entire mantel you can see this post here. You can see how I made the haunted house canvas here, and make your own and grab the templates for the house and bats here, along with a free printable.
