Mini wreath

Mini wreath

I have made this mini wreath using privet shoots wrapped around a core of twisted paper.

To create the core, take a big sheet of newspaper, roll it into a sausage and then compress the paper by twisting it. Roll it around an empty loo roll centre, then slide it off - you now have a bagel-shaped ring. If you don\\\’t have much green material available, you might want to add a layer of green paper - cut it into ribbon shape and wrap it around the ring. For outdoors christmas trees, you should then wrap the core tighly into see-through plastic, for example a freezer bag you have cut open. Finally tie all layers of the paper ring firmly together, using craft wire, string or sewing thread.

Cut approximately 30 cm long shoots of privet, alternatively you can use shorter shots of bux or other evergreens Wrap them around your ring in the same way you tied the wire earlier.

To avoid the ring becoming too bushy, it is advisable to leave gaps between the shoots. You can cover these gaps later by weaving in just the amount of shoots needed to cover the core.

When the twigs are spread out evenly on your core, use craft wire or strong dark coloured thread (for example linen or polyester) to attach the twigs firmly on to the core. How many windings you make around the core will determine how bushy your mini wreath is allowed to be. The more windings, the more orderly your wreath will look.

Think about the items you want to use to decorate your wreath with. Fine, small ornaments would be partly hidden on a slightly wild, unruly wreath, so it\\\’s best to go for s sleek wreath in this case. If you prefer a more natural appearance, you need to use bigger or more ornaments because some of them might end up partly covered up by leaves.

When you are happy with the appearance of your mini wreath, sew on an organza bow and other ornaments. For an outdoor wreath, these ornaments should be fairly waterproof. I used plastic silver stars in two sizes. If you do want to use wooden ornaments, please not that they will usually suffer in wet conditions. You can make them more durable by dipping them in clear varnish - let them dry hanging up (remember to protect the floor underneath) and repeat this process a few times.

Good luck and have fun making your own wreath!