Holiday How To: Unconventional Wreaths

Matthew Mead, whose Holiday magazine is chock full of smart and easy ways of making your holidays gorgeous, is resourceful. He makes the most lovely settings out of simple and easy to attain materials as you've already seen in his other holiday how to installments (sweet or sour wreath, naturally easy centerpiece, tips on making over your living room for the holidays). Today is his last holiday how to and he is mixing it up just a bit for those of you who enjoy something a little more unconventional. I think he may have proven the point that you can make almost anything look festive with the right treatment.



Holiday is a time for wreath making, and some wreaths can be made of clever non-festive materials to endure well past the holiday season. A recent trip to the craft store inspired me with some fun materials to make graphic, everlasting wreaths that are not only easy to make, but will elicit lots of design comments.

There are dozens of materials to be uncovered at the crafts store. I selected an inexpensive pack of playing cards in red and some wooden ice cream spoons to create these two stylish circles.


You will need: 9 inch metal wreath form, hot glue gun, red spray paint, wooden ice cream spoons, playing cards, ribbon


1. On a clean, dry surface, place the wire wreath ring.




2. Hot glue spoons to the form with the spoon tip facing the outside of the ring:



3. Continue hot gluing spoons until the entire wreath form is covered:

4. Spray the wooden spoons red with red spray paint.


5. Let dry thoroughly.


*********************************
For the card wreath, I created a base by gluing cards to the wreath in a circular pattern (decorative patterned backs of cards facing out):





Once covered, hot glue card faces to the front of the wreath in a random pattern. We used all red symbol cards:

Let dry and hang from a ribbon!




Happy wreath-making!

A final huge thanks to Matthew for sharing his clever how-tos. Now go out and order your expanded copy of Holiday with Matthew Mead!

11 comments:

  1. I love how these options allow you to bring in different colors -- AND that they could be used year-round. My mom used to make wreaths all the time when I was younger, but for some reason I've never attempted it. Maybe this is my year :)

    ~Stop Me if You've Heard This One

    ReplyDelete
  2. Janette@The2Seasons9:52 AM

    Wow!  That's definitely outside the box.  The card wreath would be great in a play room or man cave.  I think you would enjoy my post today about the Christmas decor at our old governor's mansion.  Stop by for a visit.  I have really enjoyed all of your ideas this season.  Thanks for the info.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jen @ a place 2 call home10:00 AM

    Cute and different!

    ReplyDelete
  4. These are great!  I just finished making a huge 36" diameter wreath for our mantel- completely free!  http://oneprojectatatime.blogspot.com/2011/12/forth-day-of-christmas.html

    I could use something fun for our front door though- and this might be just the trick!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I just finished making a huge 36" diameter wreath for our big fireplace, completely free! http://oneprojectatatime.blogspot.com/2011/12/forth-day-of-christmas.html
    I still need a wreath for our front door though, and something more modern like this might be just the trick.  Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Michelle9:17 PM

    That card wreath is fantastic, I can see it staying up all year round in the man cave!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Miss Sew & So4:38 AM

    L.O.V.E
    L.O.V.E
    L.O.V.E

    the spoons!! Waaay cool!

    Thanks for the inspiration!

    Melissa {Miss Sew & So}

    ReplyDelete
  8. besoterio7:55 AM

    I love unconventional things. Cool.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Rowhousenest9:05 PM

    CUTE!!!!! Love the idea. I actually would keep some of those types of wreaths up all year round for fun

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ooh, awesome ideas! We have a wreath we've been meaning to make for years now - an idea from Readymade mag. Fingers crossed I find a spare few hours to finally put it into action this week!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Cool ideas. I really like the wreath with the wooden spoons.  I love the idea of using nontraditional items to make wreaths.

    ReplyDelete

There is nothing that thrills me more than hearing from readers. Please share your thoughts. ♥

Follow @ Instagram

© 2007-2020 Brooklyn Limestone. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy
Back to Top