ChRiStMaS Crafting

I have wanted to make an ornament wreath for several years~have been collecting vintage as well as other beautiful ornaments and finally decided this was the time! Georgia Peachez was my inspiration~but then I found great instructions from the gals who write the blog, RetroRenovation, which helped immensely! So why bother writing my own how-to when they have done such an excellent job? Plus they contacted Georgia for her follow-up comments~so helpful! http://retrorenovation.com/2010/12/11/how-to-make-a-christmas-wreath-out-of-vintage-ornaments/ My sister decided to join me in this crafting experience. We set up our supplies on my dining room table and right away found out that we were short on ornaments. So I spent several shopping excursions searching for just the right ornaments for both of our projects. The first wreath is mine~love the jewel tones! After I made it, I found some purple star earrings which were just right to add bling to my wreath.

I made the funnel tree after seeing something like it on Pinterest. I just found the base-an old fashioned bill holder which I added a wine cork to. This helps hold the funnels in place. Final touch is the glittered star on top!

The retro/vintage wreath is my sister, Lynne's. I found several packages of retro looking ornaments at Target to add to her wreath. Each wreath required 80-90 ornaments as well as many smaller balls to fill in the gaps.

I bought a large jar of small vintage glass balls at an antique store a few years ago, so I decided to make an ornament tree using the same tips I learned for the wreath. I collect Wee Forest Folk, small mouse figurines, which are sculpted, cast and then hand painted in MA. I have been collecting damaged mice and thought they would be adorable peeking out of the tinsel on my ornament tree. I just love it! I hope to add more ornaments as I find the right size and colors.

These projects are addictive! Yesterday, I decided to make another wreath, using some beautiful Polish ornaments I bought several years ago at World Market. This is a smaller wreath, using an eight inch wreath form. Now if only I can stop fussing! HaPpY Holidays!