What you’ll need from the market: You can make a base for your wreath by taping together two metal coat hangers that you manipulate into a round shape, or you can buy a metal wreath ring in a multitude of shapes and sizes. You’ll also want a spool of lightweight floral wire, wire cutters, and decorative ribbon (wire-edge ribbon is best) or other accessories that you plan to use to decorate your finished wreath.Notes about greenery: I used two average sized bunches of seeded eucalyptus for my wreath. If you’re using Pine, Fir, Cedar, or any sort of Evergreen – they will omit something called pitch. It’s a black sap that will not only ruin your manicure, but it will also make a mess on the table you are working on. Plan accordingly! When working with pine, I like to roll out butcher paper to work upon. As a matter of fact, here is a tutorial on How To Remove Pine Pitch and Sap. Also keep in mind that the longer the needles are, the less likely they are to drop.Let’s get started on this DIY wreath tutorial: Set up a work table. You’ll need a hearty set of flower cutters to cut the greenery, wire, wire cutters, your wreath form, and the greenery that you are going to use for the wreath. Do not use flower cutters to cut wire, or wire cutters to cut the greenery. Have your ribbon and accessories off to the side to avoid getting pitch on them. Be certain that you have a special set scissors to cut the wire-edge ribbon, if you’re using it. There is nothing worse in floral design than a dull set of shears!Anchor your wire to the metal wreath ring by wrapping it around several times. Collect a mini-bouquet of greenery and place it on top of the wire that you just secured to wreath form. The cut end of the greenery needs about two inches beyond where the wire is attached.Holding onto the wire with one hand and the greenery with the other, wrap the wire around the bottom two inches of the stems and the wreath ring at least three times. Pull the wreath wire tightly to secure the material to the ring.Stop. Collect another mini-bouquet of greenery and repeat the process of wrapping the cut stems. Set each consecutive bunch of material on top of last set with cut ends approximately 1.5 to 2 inches ahead of last set of attached greenery.When you’ve made it around the entire ring and are about to place the last bunch, gently lift the first bunch you placed on the ring and secure the last bunch underneath the first. Because this is the end of the process, you will want to wrap the wire around many times to make sure the material is firmly secured.Cut about 1 foot of excess wire and tie it off by weaving the end of the wire underneath the existing wreath wire that has already been looped around wreath ring and wreath greenery. Tie the wire off in anyway that you feel it is most secure. I like to wrap it around going to the left and then move right again, back on top of itself.Congratulations! Your wreath is complete. Handsome, isn’t it? Don’t worry (as with anything) practice makes perfect. There is no doubt that a lot of work goes into making a wreath. It’s no wonder that they charge a pretty penny for handmade wreaths! I tell you what: I will give you a few days to work on your wreath making skills, and later this week I will teach you how to make a florist’s bow. Deal?

Posted by Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo / Design and Holiday Decorations and Uncategorized