Want to know the secret to a truly unique winter wreath? I’m sharing my tips and tricks for creating a stunning wreath using natural materials.
Winter is a time for cozy nights by the fire and beautiful decorations. Why not embrace the season’s natural beauty by creating a stunning winter wreath using materials you can find right outside your door? In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through the process of foraging for natural materials and crafting a unique, rustic wreath that will add a touch of winter magic to your home.
Create a Natural Winter Wreath with Foraged Materials
Today, I created a new winter wreath. I took a walk in the woods behind my house, armed with garden clippers, and gathered winter greenery, berries, twigs, pinecones, and bittersweet vines. On the way back home I stopped at my garden and clipped a few dried flower heads and ornamental grass plumes. I’ll be using the bittersweet vines to craft a wreath form, giving it a truly organic, rustic look.
All the elements on the wreath, except for the pheasant feathers and a small straw bird’s nest, were sourced from right outside my back door.
Gathering The Materials
The best part of making a wreath like this is that you can customize it to what is available in your area or the types of natural materials that you are drawn to. There is no right or wrong when creating a handmade wreath!
Here are some materials that can be foraged to craft a winter wreath:
Evergreen Branches:
- Pine
- Fir
- Spruce
- Cedar
Twigs and Vines:
- Birch
- Willow
- Grapevine
- Bittersweet
Natural Decorations:
- Pinecones
- Berries (like holly or winterberry)
- Dried flowers (like hydrangea or rose hips)
- Nuts (like acorns or walnuts)
- Feathers
- Moss
- Ornamental Grass Plumes
Remember to forage responsibly and avoid taking too much from any one area.
Creating The Wreath Base
For my foraged wreath I cut a bundle of bittersweet vines, they are very flexible and I will be able to bend them into an interesting shape for the wreath base. Alternatively, you could use other flexible branches like willow or grapevine.
If you’re looking for a simpler option, a pre-made grapevine wreath from a craft store works too!
Here is one of the design tricks that I use to create a more natural look from a store-bought wreath: Purchase a larger wreath form and you can unravel the tightly wound vines. This will allow you to reshape the wreath into a more organic and free-flowing form.
To create a unique wreath, I started by bending a few bittersweet branches into a teardrop shape. I secured the ends with floral wire to hold the structure. Next, I wove additional bittersweet branches around the base to broaden its shape and give it a wild, organic look. This technique adds a touch of rustic charm that’s perfect for a winter wreath.
Arranging The Elements
For this wreath, I will be leaving the top of the wreath bare, this will help with maintaining the foraged, natural feel that I want to create.
white pine
The first thing that I added to the wreath was small boughs of Eastern white pine. The white pine branches are filled with long soft needles and make a nice base for this wreath.
To secure the pine branches all you have to do is insert them between the vines on the wreath.
juniper
After the pine, I filled the wreath in with juniper branches that have a completely different texture and a deeper green shade.
ornamental grass plumes
Something unexpected for a winter wreath, I added plumes from an ornamental grass. Not only do they provide a contrasting shade to the wreath, but their free-flowing texture also adds a sense of movement.
Using ornamental grass plumes like pampas can get messing indoors, there is an easy trick to stopping the mess: spray them with hairspray!
berries
On my walk through the woods, I spotted a few different berries that I wanted to incorporate into the wreath. There were small, red berries with thorny stems and a type of autumn crabapple berry. These crabapple berries have a unique light, neutral tone that almost looks artificial.
pinecones
Now to add some fun touches to this wreath. At the bottom, I added a cluster of pinecones and also a small bird’s nest.
Feel free to hot glue on the pinecones but I attached them with floral wire. To do this first cut a piece of wire that will be long enough to secure to the wreath. Run the wire around the base of the pinecone and twist until the wire is tight.
To keep with the rustic feel of this wreath I secured the pinecones going in different directions.
final touches
Now for the final touches to complete this pretty winter wreath. On my walk back from the woods I clipped a few dried flower heads from my garden; two types of daisies and sedum. I tucked them in around the cluster of pinecones.
To finish off the wreath I tucked in a few long pheasant feathers. If I could give you one tip, it would be to grab a bag of feathers and start incorporating them into your wreaths and centerpieces. They’re incredibly versatile and can be reused throughout the year!
Time To Hang The Wreath!
Time to hang up the new winter wreath! For this design, I am not adding a ribbon but if you choose to I would suggest a long frayed velvet ribbon at the bottom (Hobby Lobby has the best affordable frayed velvet ribbon over with the sewing notions)
By creating a stunning winter wreath with foraged materials, you’re not only adding a touch of nature’s beauty to your home, but you’re also embracing sustainable practices. By taking a walk in the woods and gathering what nature has to offer, you can craft a unique and personalized piece that will add warmth and charm to your home.
At the end of the season, simply compost your wreath (minus the wired pinecones & feathers) to give back to the earth. This eco-friendly approach allows you to enjoy the beauty of nature without harming it. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your clippers and get started on your own nature-inspired masterpiece.
See your projects featured! If you are inspired by this or any of my other DIY projects I would love to see them and add you to the Reader’s Spotlight gallery. Send a photo to me at jennifer@cottageonbunkerhill.com
xo, Jennifer
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