Calling all Crafters and Florists:

What can you do with unbent paperclips, some twine, and stuff you collect in the forrest…make a wreath!

 

If you’re clever, like MacGyver or McGruber, you can make this without spending a dime.

Here’s how:

You will need:

• the great outdoors
• clippers

collect:

• moss
• ivy
• hearty foliage (like so…)

• an assortment of flowers, rose buds, and acorns to decorate your wreath with…see Camelia’s Cottage Fall Forage post for inspiration.

You will also need:

• wire or string for wrapping
• straw
• floral pins (or paper clips, think “MacGyver”)
• ribbon or twine to hang your wreath

Note: moss is not 100% necessary. If you can’t find it outside, you can buy it at a craft store, or just skip it.

Now, let me explain:

1. Start with your ivy or twine and make a ring

2. Cover the ring with hay or straw, wrapping it as you go, handful by handful, with string or wire, tightly. Remember to secure the beginning and end of your wire wrapping. I usually tie it off or twist it around itself. You’ll figure it out. Remember, you are a great ape.

3. Next, if you can find some, wrap a layer of moss around that.

4. At this point, the wreath its pretty as is! Make a loop for hanging with rope or ribbon

5. Next, I’m so sorry made an epic fail and forgot to take a picture of this intermediary stage…take your hearty foliage clippings and layer them starting at the top, working down and counter-clockwise, while wrapping the stems with your wire or string…see how my hands are, that’s how you should layer the foliage. Keep it organized, it will save you a headache later, and try to avoid wrapping the leaves down flat, aim for the stems. This step requires some dexterity but it does not have to be perfect, because you will cover this part with your flowers and such…

6. Finally, use floral pins or unfolded paperclips (easier, cheaper, more accessible) to pin your nature walk treasures to your wreath. Remember symmetry generally makes things look good. Work on your wreath while it is hung up, stepping back every now and again to assess your work from afar. Don’t be too critical, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Go with your instincts. 

7. And Voilá! A beautiful seasonal wreath.

Here, I added a bunch of felted ornaments for a very early Christmas display

Questions, comments, frustrations to vent? Did I make it seem too easy? Note I made my wreath over a period of a few days because I do not have the patience or attention span to do it all at once. Let me know how it goes if you make one! They make great gifts and grandma’s tend to love them.

Show me what you come up with, I’d be happy to see your take on the MacGyver Wreath!

I learned this style from my wonderful WWOOF hostess Rita in Berlin last fall. Credit where credit is due. Thank you Rita!

xoxo,

Kelly