Step two of making your own wreath; today or tomorrow cut some branches, twigs or vines. About this much ...
hand formed wreath
If you're making a wreath in small steps, and you're finished the first task of gathering greenery you can start task 2.
Making a Wreath - Task 2
You're hunting and gathering again. This time for bendable branches or vines to make a wreath form.
You can use a vine wreath form you already own if you want or buy one.
The Vine Wreath Form
The photo above shows a wreath I made out of honeysuckle vine.
You don't *have* to use grapevine to make a "grapevine wreath". Any bendable branches will work.
After browsing my garden and getting discouraged I finally remembered my honeysuckle vines and started hacking.
Step 2
In the next 2 days gather some bendable branches or vines.
Bend the branches into a circle. The more greenery you gathered, the larger your vine wreath can be.
Wire the branches together with twine or paper covered wire as you go until you have a nice solid form.
For the next small step you'll need 3-5 limes.
TASK
Over the next couple of days go out and clip whatever bendable branches or vines you can find and hand form them into a wreath.
TIPS
- You can use a square box to make a circular wreath. (see video above)
- If the branches are hard to bend, soak them in a bucket of water overnight.
- If the branches are green and soft you can leave the wreath in the bottom of the box for a couple of days. It will harden a little and you can pull it out to wire it together.
- Smaller boxes will make smaller wreaths. You could even make teeny tiny wreaths in teeny tiny boxes.
- You want a nice solid wreath. It shouldn't feel flimsy.
That's your homework. Make a vine wreath. In a few days, I'll post again and you'll get your next small step.
My parting words are ... poison ivy is a vine. So if you don't know what the vine is, don't wrap your hands around it and start pulling it towards you.
I just discovered your channel. Thank you for the lovely ideas. I normally hang two wreathes every year that were purchased from our local craft store. You have inspired me to make my wreathes this year. Thank you for your knowledge and sharing your experiences with us. You are a gem! Looking forward to more of your incredible ideas. Maggie K.
Excellent. :) Send me a photo when you're done Margaret! ~ karen
I was just thinking as I was reading this, "poison ivy, poison ivy..." Lol
Video?
Am I to assume the 'limes' are needed for a yummy (alcoholic) drink to indulge in after wrestling the poison ivy into shape? The problem with the videos is the ultra slow time of loading that every site, every blog, every laptop has when ads are included. When you tube was upgraded recently, the ads have become a nightmare - not your blog fault, just ads and whatever god rules the uploading update. Maybe he was fired and it will all go back to normal. I am one lucky gardener with tons of wild grape vines amongst all the trees in our backyard. See? everything has an upside if you are an optimist!
When all else fails I blame Google for everything. ~ karen!
Hi! I've been a subscriber for years... not sure how many because I'm over 50 and time seems to blend, but I know it's been a long time. I still get asked to input my name and email address when I access an article (there is not a way to X out). Do I have to continue to add my name each time?
escape button should get rid of that for you :)
Thanks Kim!
Hi Michelle. No, no not at all. That pop up isn't supposed to show for anyone who is already subscribed, yet - it still seems to be showing up. I'll look into it some more. In the meantime, if it shows up and you can't find the X just tap outside of the pop up anywhere on the screen. It will get rid of the pop up. ~ karen!
thanks Karen! A little late, but I just purchased your 2023 Christmas Pledge. Happy Holidays!
Welcome! ~ karen
Thanks Karen.
I’m going to the garden today. Let’s do this.
Have fun! ~ karen!
Love your blog but your full page pop-up in the middle of it is a pain! I can't imagine it is profitable. If it were at the beginning or the end at least it would not interrupt your regular readers. Just an observation.
Well, crap. As soon as I posted my comment I scrolled back up and the video appeared. Never mind. I'm going to view the video now and then go lie down.
I guess it took a few minutes to load. Glad you two found each other! ~ karen
Thank you. I'm old and find myself impatient more than I used to be, but I'll work on that I will take this opportunity to compliment you on all your videos -- I watch them even when I don't need to. And I am glad you might find a way to make that "subscribe" pop-up go away for those of us who've already signed up years ago, although it isn't annoying enough to make me stop dropping by to see what you're up to with each new post.
In the first tip you say "see video above" but I can find no video. I'm viewing on a MacBook Pro, have no ad blocker on, and can't for the life of me find a video anywhere in your post. Just guessing, I figure you say you can wind vines and put them in the bottom of a box to dry in that shape, but if there is a video, I'd like to see it. If I'm being stupid, just say, "Click on ... under the title ..., Stupid." Thank you.
Using the square box to make the wreath circle is THE frustration saving tip. I had visions of self-flagellation and possible eye loss trying to contain lengths of vines in my hands on a table top. I'm pretty sure the box idea would not have dawned on me soon enough to save the project. lol
It's a good tip indeed. I'm full of lots of things, and good tips is one of those things I'm full of. ~ karen!
Hah! You iz a witty and funny lady par excellence and chock full of humour.