XMAS WREATH Decoration

As a small, home business, this is my busiest time of year
and my hands and eyes have been in working in overdrive,
taking on all the seasonal work I can possibly muster!

One of the things I enjoy most is teaching and from
November onwards, I have been running lots of Christmas
decoration workshops for all group sizes.

Over the years I have designed many styles of window,
tree and card ornaments, which can double up as pendants
and earrings when scaled down in size ...

My XMAS WREATH DECORATION is a particular favourite
and as mentioned, it can also be created as pendant.

Firstly, decide on the overall size of your 'wreath', as this will
determine what wire you will need to form the base circle
structure.  I used 1.6mm aluminium wire ... however, 1mm silver
plated copper, works perfectly well. You will also need 0.4mm
for the 'tiara' twisting, plus your choice of coloured beads.

STEP 1

Wrap your wire around a circular mandrel and cut from
the spool, leaving an overlap.

STEP 2

Secure one end around the frame.

STEP 3

Straighten the other end. (This will eventually form the
suspension loop).

STEP 4

Hammer the circular frame on a steel block and if you wish, you
can also texture it with the 'dapping' head of the Whammer.

STEP 5

Cut an 'arm's' length of 0.4mm wire and attach the centre
to the frame. This way you can start by using half of the
length to wirewrap in one direction and the other, for the
opposite side.

STEP 6

Thread a bead onto one of the wires and holding it a little
distance from the frame, bring the rest of the wire around
the bead. Grip this looped wire together on the edge of the
frame and twist the bead to produce a twisted stem.  If you've
ever made a tiara ... you'll be very familiar with this technique!

STEP 7

Continue adding more beads around the frame and twisting
each of the stems. Small seed beads can be used to create 'leaf'
shapes.

STEP 8

If you run out of wire, just add more and continue where you
left off ...

STEP 9

Once you have covered the frame - you can stop right there, it
looks pretty as it is ...
(Here's one I made earlier):

However, I am going to continue to show how I would make
it look a little more 'wreath-like'.

STEP 10

Using the tips of your chain or round nosed pliers, tweak
the twisted stems and shape them (plus the beaded leaves),
drawing them in and on top of the frame.

STEP 11

If you want to fill any gaps, you can at this stage,"wire in"
some more beads.  I have used varying sizes of gold coloured
beads. (But you could also use red beads as 'berries').

STEP 12

Create a top suspension link with the projecting wire and add
a 'figure of 8' link to this. You can also choose to suspend a
bead from the centre of your wreath.

STEP 13

If you wish to add a bow to the top of your decoration,
cut a piece of ribbon. Loop 2 sides into towards each
other and secure the centre with a piece of 0.4mm wire.
(You can also attach a bead to this wire as a central
decoration).

STEP 14

And there you have it! It's ready to be suspended and enjoyed!

Alternatively, have fun creating it as a window decoration, to
blend in with your home decor colours!

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

I also have a speedy version! Follow STEPS 1-4 (above) to
create the circular outer frame of the wreath, then ...

STEP A

Using the Coiling Gizmo, coil around 2" of 0.5mm green wire.
(If you don't own a Gizmo, wrap by hand around a knitting needle).

STEP B

Stretch the coil out, leaving some 'curlywurlyness' ...

STEP C

Wrap the 'curlywurly' wire around the frame ...

STEP D

Once it's attached, spread it around the frame. If you want
a fuller looking wreath, just add another layer of curly wire!

STEP E

Using 0.4mm wire, add some 'berry' beads, 'sewing' them
in between the curly wire.

STEP F

And once again, you can add a central 'dangle' bead. I used a
teardrop crystal, but if you have a bell shaped bead that would
work beautifully too!

I hope this has inspired you to make some 
for gifts and decorations! 

Ding Dong Merrily On ... 
Using Pliers and Festive Wires!