The unique look of topiary has always fascinated me. It's amazing how the leaves can be carved so perfectly to make bulbous masterpieces. Using inspiration from these along with lollipop trees often seen at carnivals, I have a sweet edible craft that the kids will enjoy making. This is what you will need to make a potted lollipop plant:

Materials:

-One large bag of small lollipops (Dum Dum Lollipops look best)
-Acrylic craft paint
-Easter grass
-6 inch terra- cotta pot
- 6 inch round floral Styrofoam

Begin by using the acrylic craft paint to decorate your terra- cotta pot. Some design ideas may include personalizing the pot with a name or writing "Happy Birthday", "Happy Grandparents Day", or any other special occasion or holiday on the pot. Consider the recipient’s favorite colors or interests. Let you and your child's imaginations explore design ideas. Decorating the pot is an important step. After all, once the lollipops have been eaten, the pot remains and can be used as a pencil holder or a pot for a real plant.

Once the pot has been painted and has fully dried, you will insert the foam ball into the pot. You may need to shave, shape, and mold the foam so it fits just right into your pot. You will want about half of the foam ball in the pot and the other half out. If you have accidentally shaved too much of the foam ball off, use some type of filler material in the bottom of the pot to ensure that half of the ball sits outside of the pot. Crumpled newspaper balls works well to fill the pot.

Now that your foam ball is secure in the pot, you can begin pushing the sticks of the lollipops in the foam. Begin at the top part of the ball, inserting the lollipop sticks just enough until they are secure. Work your way out, down, and around until the entire foam ball has a good covering of lollipops.

The final step to complete your potted lollipop plant is to use the Easter grass to cover what can be seen of the foam ball. The presence of all the lollipop stocks will be enough to secure the Easter grass in place.

Your finished product is a round shaped arrangement of lollipops in a beautifully decorated pot. Hopefully there are a few lollipops left for you and your child to enjoy and celebrate a job well done.