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Wild Vine and Harvest Wreaths

© Vickie Ferguson

In this article we will continue with our autumn celebration. In case you missed the article for October 12, I started the seasonal celebration by giving directions on making a cornucopia using real or artificial fruit and vegetables or dried flowers. The cornucopias are simple to make and the autumn colors available for this project are glorious.

Our project this week will be wreaths, specifically wild vine and harvest types. Once completed, these beautiful creations can be hung on the front/back door, in the kitchen, over the fireplace, on the front porch. Place them wherever you want to share the autumn colors and celebrate the season.

The first project is for a wild vine wreath. This wreath is simple to create but the end result is absolutely beautiful. The bittersweet dictates the style of the wreath and the overall effect is wild and carefree. These are the supplies you will need: one 12" (larger/smaller if you prefer) grapevine wreath (finely woven). By this I mean, the branches should not be woven tightly but loosely with space between the individual ribs, several branches of dried bittersweet, and 1 pale peach colored bow (the material of the bow is your choice, you can use cloth, crepe, paper or raffia), can of clear spray lacquer.

Step 1 - Spray the berries with the clear lacquer, this will help to set the berries, otherwise they tend to fall off easily.

Step 2 - The construction of a loosely woven wreath allows you to weave dried flowers and branches in and out of the grapevine base. Use the spaces between the individual ribs to secure long stems or branches. When necessary, use fine craft wire to secure an item. You will also want to use any stray tendrils of the bittersweet to give dimension. Secure the tendrils by using the ribs of the vine, or if necessary, use a small amount of clear hot glue.

Step 3 - When you finish adding the bittersweet, place the wreath at eye level on a counter, step back and take a look. The wreath should be balanced. By this I mean, if there are several tendrils going all which way on the right side of the wreath, there must also be tendrils on the left side doing the same thing. One side of the wreath needs to offset and balance the opposite side otherwise it will look lopsided. When you have achieved the look and balance you want, place the bow at approximately the 7:00 o'clock location on the wreath base.