The Best Wreath Making Supplies

Whether you want to create a beautiful decoration for your home or a personalized gift for someone special, a wreath project might be just what you need. Not only can this be a relatively simple craft to make, but you have plenty of ways to customize the wreath to fit a certain holiday or theme. Before you start crafting, though, you’ll have to shop for the essential materials and tools needed for wreath making.

Start by considering the size and style of the wreath you want to make; this will determine what wreath form you should purchase. You can find both wire wreath forms as well as styrofoam rings that often start at eight inches in diameter and can reach 16 inches or more. The wire form offers more flexibility, as its flat profile can work well for both elaborate and minimalistic designs. The foam form is less versatile since you can’t reshape it. But, this lightweight option works well if you plan to wrap your wreath in yarn, ribbon or string.

Once you have chosen a wreath form, consider how you want to style the wreath. That way, you can get the right decor materials and supplies. You have a lot of flexibility in this area. For example, you might use leaves, flowers and pine cones for a traditional holiday wreath: either natural ones or synthetic versions. On the other hand, you can also decorate wreaths with items as diverse as paper crafts, crayons, ornaments, wood pieces, balls, foods and pom-poms.

Unless you plan to just glue or tape materials to the wreath, you’ll likely want to purchase floral or stem wire. This wire comes in handy both for attaching decorations and for making arrangements. You’ll find it sold either on a spool with many yards attached or as pre-cut lengths that are ready to use. You can find it in various gauge sizes usually ranging from 16 to 32. The higher the gauge, the thicker and stronger the wire is to work with.

Floral tape comes in handy when you’re making a wreath with wire since you can use it for different purposes. Not only can the tape help hide wires that you don’t want others to see, it bonds stems together so they can then be attached to the wreath form.

Regardless of the type of wreath you plan to make, you’ll probably find some basic tools and supplies useful, like scissors, wire cutters, glue and pruners. You might opt for a glue gun to save yourself some time, while safety gear like goggles and gloves can protect you if you’re working with potentially hazardous materials. You’ll also want to get a hanger for the wreath once it’s ready to display.

• If you’re crafting on a budget, consider using some natural materials for your wreath. Depending on the time of year and your location, you might easily find pine cones, leaves, branches and flowers right outside your house. The downside of this, however, is that the wreath will eventually deteriorate. So, this works best for decorations you only want up for a short time.
• You don’t have to stick with a traditional round wreath if you want something more creative. While they’re rarer, you can find wreath forms that are square or even shaped like hearts. You also have the option to buy some thick wire and design your own wreath form to fit your needs.
• If you’re feeling stuck, consider looking at craft project galleries to get some ideas for wreath designs. The creators of those galleries might even be able to provide you with a list of supplies you need to get started.
• When making a wreath for a particular holiday, keep an appropriate color scheme in mind as you choose decorations like flowers, string and embellishments. For example, a more romantic wreath might focus on the colors white, pink and red. Likewise, a patriotic wreath could focus on red, white and blue.
• As a time-saving alternative to traditional wreath forms, you could opt for a plain pre-made wreath. Usually featuring a straw or greenery design, these come ready for you to decorate. You could simply add a few flowers or ribbons to finish it off or create a more elaborate design.