Step four of making your own wreath - putting it all together. Bundling your branches and forming the wreath so you end up with something similar to this beauty.
I was kind of stunned at how nice my wreath turned out. Like many of you, I've never made a Christmas wreath from scratch like this before. It seems like something I'd do all the time - but I don't. So I'm doing this step by step the same as you are.
I'm busy at this time of year what with Christmas pledging and my regular weird shit around the house all day long nonsense. Plus I've recently started analyzing Hallmark movies, so I never seem to have time to make a wreath, but breaking it down into little daily tasks made it possible.
Making a Wreath - Task 4
Now the really fun part. Putting the wreath together by making bunches of branches and wiring them to the form.
If you're seeing this for the first time, make sure you read and the previous 3 steps.
- Make a wreath - Step 1 (foraging for greens)
- Make a wreath - Step 2 (make a vine wreath)
- Make a wreath - Step 3 (dehydrate limes for decoration)
Making Bunches
If you're making a 10-12" wreath each bunch of branches you use will be around 8 stems. And each wreath will need 10-12 bunches.
Step 3- Bunches
- Gather a variety of branches in your hand one by one until you have a nice bundle of 8 or so pieces of greenery.
- Lay the bunch on the wreath and rearrange a bit if you need to. Place the bunch down and wire it tightly to the vine form.
- Continue until the entire 10-12" form is covered. It will take 10-12 bunches.
TIPS
- When you form your greenery bundles have taller things at the back and shorter at the front.
- Overlap bunches enough so you can't tell where one stops and the other begins.
- If you didn't buy paddle wire, reconsider. The plastic paddle lets you pull really hard to get a tight wreath.
Floral paddle wire (US)
Floral paddle wire (CA)
- Every so often lift your wreath and have a look at it to see if it's balanced.
- Once you hang the wreath if it looks wonky or weird feel free to play with it adding a few things here and there to make it right.
Now. You have a choice to make. You can leave your wreath in it's 100% natural state like you see in the photos. No problem. It'll look great. But if you want a bit more I have one more step for you.
Our final step will be embellishing the wreath. Adding dried limes, some ribbon, pinecones or whatever else you want.
If you make a wreath, send me a photo in the next few days so I can post it!
Similar idea, instead of piney stuff dry herb bundles (like rosemary, sage, oregano, parsley, thyme, lavender, etc) & make a kitchen wreath. Snip off a little and add to your food / cooking! I made two of these last year for gifts. Albeit wrapping them, especially the one that had to be shipped was a challenge! Good thing I made small ones! You definitely don't want poison ivy if going this route! Lol 😂😝 Too many exclamation points! Aack!
I love that! I have all of those things around here right now. I should make mini ones to give away! omg, I really and truly am obsessed with wreaths now. ~ karen!
I had to dry mine in the oven (did the lavender separate) & it smelled like pizza! Mmm so good! I actually use old spices to make a pizza potpourri in one of those tea light holders with the little cup on top. Italian spices, fennel seeds, & onion powder. Smells great, and even better, no one here is allergic to that scent lol! Old coffee, grounds or beans, works great too. You can actually just dump those into a jar and nestle the candle (in the little aluminum holder) down into the coffee. We've got a maple bacon one that is awesome!
Oh yeah, for the gifted kitchen wreaths I used a couple metal wreath bases I got at the dollar store, came in a two pack.
LOS ANGELES WREATH MAKING
ROW 1
Gather Mexican Sage branches from front yard & place in conveniently empty and conveniently round garbage can.
Look again and discover 2 tabs that conveniently hold vines in place.
ROW 2
Run up to Sunset Boulevard & raid scraps from Christmas Tree sales stand. Leave before asking. Resist going in the Viper Room for a beer.
Raid neighbor’s palm & local Privet trees for berry branches.
Start assembling.
ROW 3
Marvel at finished, furry wreath
ROW 4
Stop and admire nifty sap stains on hands.
Stop and admire late afternoon orange light on palm trees.
Ponder with beer & TJ Cheese Puffs when the wreath will be stolen if put on the front door.
Xoxo,
Marie
That was an excellent wreath making adventure story! There was risk, alcohol, mess and recognizable landmarks. All the makings of a blockbuster. Plus the wreath turned out perfect!~ karen!
Hi Karen, just wanted to share that I made your Christmas wreath and got creative with some extra bundles for a festive door decoration. I ended up not using the limes I made but they were fun to make! Loved the DIY inspiration! 🎄✨
I might do a bow upgrade tomorrow, if I do I'll send updated pics!
Thanks for the picture Bee! I'm just writing the post on how to put it all together with the limes, ribbon etc., so don't give up on them yet. :)
Beautiful! Simple and natural! The best!
Hi Karen, You*re just the "BESTIST"...learn so much from you everytime you post!! Thanx, Joan...
Thanks Joan! I hope you're making a wreath! ~ karen
The wreath is GORGEOUS , so lovely au naturale...sigh, but for me I need a little bling in the form of gilded walnuts or small gilded pinecones. I get it, it's not that VEGAN look but i"m kinda old school.
Beautiful!
My husband wants to know what that music was.
Hi Patti. The music was a free use music from Youtube. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen from DJ Wiliams. ~ karen!
I went to a wreath-making activity once and the biggest thing I remember is that I got sticky sap(?) on my hands, which I hated and found hard to get off with regular hand soap. Clearly I can wear gloves next time and look like a nerd (what's new?) but ... any suggestions for getting sap off more easily?
I've found that hand sanitizer works well for that.
Yep. ~ karen!
Butter 😊 yep that's an old loggers trick. Rub butter on the sap and then wipe it off.
But then you have to lick the butter off your hands... 😯😆
Hi Lois! Sap is easily removed from your hands with hand sanitizer! ~ karen
There's some stinky orange cream like stuff for that too. It might be called orange stuff? I know it comes in a sort of butter tub like container. It lasts forever. Should be with auto parts / tools section or near the detergent aisles of stores. I think. Dad has the same tub as when I was a kid (I believe) so not entirely sure!
My dad had that same orange stuff. :-)
You do have a 'creative' eye for design. A very pleasant looking wreath indeed. A construction question - Are you cutting the paddle wire after a bundle is tied to the frame or is it one continuous wire start to finish?
Good point. You do not cut the wire as you're wiring it to the frame. You just keep going round and round. ~ karen!
That is one fine wreath!
Thanks Mimi! I'm really happy with how it turned out. ~ karen!