Create a beautiful paper holiday wreath inspired by autumn leaves. A pair of pinecones attached to a bow makes a charming accent.
Tools and Materials
- Leaf template
- Vintage papers
- 20- and 24-gauge wire
- Pipe cleaners
- Glue gun
- Craft glue
- Wire cutters
- Ribbon
- Pinecones
- Drill
Paper-Leaf Wreath How-To
1. Trace leaf template onto papers and cut out.
2. Cut 5-inch strips of the 24-gauge wire.
3. Attach the wire onto the paper with glue gun. Then, using the craft glue, apply all over the leaves. Place another leaf on top like a sandwich.
4. When all leaves are glued and dried, cluster three together and twist the ends of the wires together to secure.
5. When all the clusters are done, cut a 47-inch length of the 20-gauge wire and fold in half, twisting together. When done, it should be shaped like a horseshoe, and will serve as your base.
6. Starting at one end, wrap pipe cleaners around until all wire is covered.
7. Take a cluster of leaves and start one inch from the middle. Attach the first cluster by wrapping the wires around the base until secured. Snip off excess wire.
8. Keep adding clusters every few inches or so until it starts to take on the form of a wreath. When one side is done, repeat on other side.
9. Drill holes in the pinecones; add a piece of wire, and twist together until pinecones are secured. Apply a small amount of hot glue to the sides of the pinecones to make them stay together, then place them in the small space left at the top of your wreath.
10. Tie the ribbon. (We suggest using wired ribbon, which can be shaped. You can also coffee-stain and burn ribbon to create an aged effect.) Poke an 8-inch piece of 20-gauge wire through the back of the ribbon and bring the ends of the wire together, twisting a few times to secure. Then place on top of wreath above pinecones, twisting again to secure. Make your loop.
11. Shape your wreath and position your leaves. If you have any extra leaves, add them where needed to fill in the wreath.
making the form.measure out 47 inches of 20 gauge wire.take booth the ends together in one hand and inch the other end together so its easy to hold.now twist the wire like ur making a pretzel.thenonce the wire is twisted and secure just bend it alittle to shape like a hourse shoe.that should be your base.start on 1 end with your pipecleaners and wrap your base.then start adding your clusters.
1st.cut out 60 leafs.cut out 30 4-5 inch.lengh of 24 gauge wire.take 1 leaf with the hot glue draw a line of glue down the middle then take a piece of wire and place in the glue once dry take your craft glue.Martha Stewart brand I use.and cover the leaf in glue then place another leaf ontop it like making a sandwhich.Do this till all leafs are glued and when dry gather 3 leafs then swist the ends together.do this till you have 10 sets of 3 clusters.
If you have questions about my wreath please email me at emiliem.home@yahoo.com and I'd love to help with all your questions.
Here's what I think #3 means...glue1 wire to back of one leaf,Then glue 2 leaves together. Let dry. Then take 1 of the wired leaves and twist tgether with 2 more making 3 sets twisted together. The 20 gauge wire makes a U which is joined at the top by the pine cones and ribbon. Whew, cute but labor intensive. I agree about buying a wreath form.
Sherry in IN
Is looks so cute and I would love to make it but the directions are confusing, some pictures would have helped. I am lost on step 3. If anyone makes this please let me know how you did it and how it turned out. I am thinking about purchasing a ready made wire wreath and trying that! Jill in Texas