to this:
- After
Make A Wreath – Demolition
First, strip the old wreath down to its bones. I love demo way too much. I really love demo, even on this small scale. I can see the better option even before the old version is out of the way. Just pull off the old florals, making a righteous mess as you go.
- Demolition
Next, take some time to meticulously select and trim exotic materials that you grew in your shiny glass backyard greenhouse. Or, do what I did, and pick up a bundle of scented florals at your local home decorating store, like HomeGoods. Most people would buy this bundle and stick it in a vase, but we can do better.
Separate the floral bundle into its elements, because we are going to work in layers.
- Sorted
Make A Wreath – Tools
Go get your glue gun. Getting excited? For some people, it’s the most important appliance in their house. Mine only comes out for projects like this, after the kids go to bed. Go warm that baby up.
Starting with a background layer, glue several strands of grass or other filler to the wreath. Work the material into the vines to create stability for the next layers. Use the most basic and plentiful materials first, then the more colorful materials. Keep moving the wreath in a circular patterns so you see it from all angles and fill in evenly.
- Base layer
Finally, use all the embellishments in the bunch. Even simple elements like the chunky ends of bamboo make a statement. There is very little to no waste in good floral arranging.
You probably won’t even have to make a hook for the back, since you are using a recycled wreath.
Make a Wreath – Inspiration
The first take of this wreath was declared “a little wild” by my honey.
I removed the bottom layer of grass, trimmed them to a shorter length, and re-glued them. Now it actually fits on the front door.
The bundle of grass cost less than $10. The wreath form was free/repurposed. The whole project took about an hour. Comparable wreaths sell for between $25 and $50. This little baby will jazz up the front door very nicely until we’re ready to welcome spring decor.
Hi Darla,
You sure do have fun with these blogs. I especially enjoy the pictures that express reality and I am not left to my imagination,
John
John, glad you liked it. Let me know when you get a-round to making one yourself. I’m not great at the photography, so I’m glad you are getting the gist of what I’m trying to show. Take care.
Darla, you demonstrate perfectly the opportunity to recycle something that was basically clutter-in-storage. With a little time and a few dollars you redesigned a dated accessory giving it new life.
Too often homeowners won’t let go of a piece like this since they feel that they either spent money on it and it “isn’t too bad”, yet they know it is too worn to use as is. They can either exercise their creativity, as you have done, to revive the piece, or donate it to a charity so that someone else who has the creative instincts can redesign it. The original owner, the new owner and the charity all benefit.
Love the pictures and the narrative, too!
Pam, thanks for taking a look. Keep inspiring fresh new spaces.
I love what you did – thanks for the inspiration! I see old dying wreaths all the time at estate sales and it didn’t occur to me that there is a perfectly good base underneath the faded flowers. I’ve been looking for a good addition to the large mirrored wall over my fireplace and you have given me great ideas!
Glad we could inspire you!