Wreath Making 101
For additional information:
vmetzke @ mchsi.com
 

Supplies –

- House you wish to place in wreath
- 2-3 “Charlie Brown” Garlands (cheap sparse garlands for $2-3) in 9 ft lengths
- 2 thin grapevine wreaths
- Scrap pieces of foam
- Floral wire
- Wrapped floral wire
- Pliers
- Wire cutters
- Accents – decorations to theme or taste, ornaments, floral, ribbon, beads or such

1. Start with the 2 grapevine wreaths of same size placed on top of each other.


2. Select a house with the bottom holes such that 2 anchor wires can be placed. 

This is the tricky part. The house must have a place to feed a wrapped wire through a bottom window or door and through the base to secure it to the wreath.  The endless lighting pieces – remove the pack and use this based on the spacing. Set aside.
3. Based upon the size of the base – select 2 foam pieces to place on the bottom of the wreath between the 2 grapevine wreaths.  Leave a space for the access to the light insert or the pack to change batteries.  Use the foam only on the bottom of the wreath.  This will create the bottom thicker than the top.



4. Use floral wire to secure the wreath-foam-wreath on each side.  Go all around the wreaths.  Secure the top as well just to know it is secure.

5. Take the garland and measure one piece to wrap around the outer side of the wreath. Measure at least 2 other pieces to wrap on the exposed topside of the wreath. 
6. Tuck but do not secure at this point – the outer garland in-between the 2 pieces of foam to cover the inserts.  Start you wrap at the foam and continue to wrap the 3 pieces till you have circled the wreath.  And returned to the foam on the other side.  Pull out the garland you have used to cover the space between the 2 pieces of foam and continue to wrap the remaining 2 strands.  This will leave the access to the light area. 
7. Using a towel to protect the house place it in the foam-wreath sandwich area and feed the ends of the wrapped floral wire through the garland wreath area creating a secure anchor.  I leave the twist tightening area in the back for easy removal if necessary. 
8. Once the line is fed through the wreath take the 2 ends of each wrapped wire and twist with the pliers like you would any twist tie.  You can feel the house secure down into it’s location.  You can than lift the wreath with no sway of the house. 




Now decorate the other portion of the wreath as you wish.  Bows, picks, or other ornamentation can be used.  If you do the bow and attach it to a floral stick you can change the otter decorations for each season.