When I was in college I a few holiday seasons working for a florist making and selling Christmas wreaths I learned it is SO much easier and cheaper to make your own wreath than spend the money to buy one!
Just about any leaves, flowers branches (even weeds) can be turned into a wreath. And while I live in a location full of pine trees I wanted to use something a little different for my wreath.
I decided to use wild Salal, a shrub, growing all over our yard. The leaves are quite "heavy duty" and thick and are often used in flower arrangements/fresh and dried.
Again, anything can be used- if you do not have flowers or greenery available to pick- most florists and floral supply stores will carry all kinds of greenery, especially during the holidays that you can buy much cheaper than a already made wreath.
I wanted a really LARGE wreath to go above our fireplace so I used a large wood embroidery hoop.
Then its time to get to work! I grabbed bunches of branches (about 3-4) and using wire I wrapped them around the hoop. I layered each bunch of branches, wiring them to the hoop until it was completely filled with leaves and branches.
The result is a really pretty and large wreath! I wanted mine to be very simple but at this point you could "wire in" different branches and leaves, a bow, pine cones or just about anything!
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