Driftwood Wreath with Shells and Lace
Driftwood is known as tidewrack or marine debris. I don't know about you but I think it's pretty amazing when one can take "trash" and turn it into something beautiful.
My grandmother and I collected this wood for many years. Driftwood cannot be carved or "made", it must be created by the sea, tossing and turning and floating.
My childhood years were not always rosy but as an adult I can now look back and see how those storms of life changed me and carved me so that I now feel that I can be thankful instead of bitter and I can use the "debris" of my life to make something beautiful. At the age of 8 I concentrated on making beautiful things out of recyclables (long before the green movement was fashionable). I probably did that , in part because I knew it was somewhat representational of my own life.
We have to make the best out of what we have...and that's why I'm now so passionate about creating things out of nature. I try to leave the big box stores behind as much as possible and focus on the materials around me. Ever heard of "eating clean", well I like to "craft clean" and that includes "debris" and other small nature treasures. I used crab shells in this project because I think they are an underutilized, whimsical material. I was thinking of putting a sign on this that said "Don't be crabby", but it kind of ruined the pretty look. I may make a more whimsical wreath with crabs next.
Materials:
Driftwood wreath
Spanish Moss (a full bag)
Crab shells (empty of course! Wouldn't want to use stinky ones!)
Star fish
Sea glass
antique lace
shells of various sizes
LOTS of hot glue
Start by weaving the Spanish moss INSIDE the wreath. Or, if your wreath doesn't have an "inside" then glue it in random places around the wreath.
My grandmother and I collected this wood for many years. Driftwood cannot be carved or "made", it must be created by the sea, tossing and turning and floating.
My childhood years were not always rosy but as an adult I can now look back and see how those storms of life changed me and carved me so that I now feel that I can be thankful instead of bitter and I can use the "debris" of my life to make something beautiful. At the age of 8 I concentrated on making beautiful things out of recyclables (long before the green movement was fashionable). I probably did that , in part because I knew it was somewhat representational of my own life.
We have to make the best out of what we have...and that's why I'm now so passionate about creating things out of nature. I try to leave the big box stores behind as much as possible and focus on the materials around me. Ever heard of "eating clean", well I like to "craft clean" and that includes "debris" and other small nature treasures. I used crab shells in this project because I think they are an underutilized, whimsical material. I was thinking of putting a sign on this that said "Don't be crabby", but it kind of ruined the pretty look. I may make a more whimsical wreath with crabs next.
Materials:
Driftwood wreath
Spanish Moss (a full bag)
Crab shells (empty of course! Wouldn't want to use stinky ones!)
Star fish
Sea glass
antique lace
shells of various sizes
LOTS of hot glue
Start by weaving the Spanish moss INSIDE the wreath. Or, if your wreath doesn't have an "inside" then glue it in random places around the wreath.
|
|
This is a seriously messy job.
|
|
Add the largest materials next. Use plenty of glue as they can be hard to keep on the wreath when it's hung.
|
|
Next wrap the lace or ribbon around the wreath and glue down every few wraps. Then add the shells and sea glass and then finally a few small flowers.
Make sure this has a solid, sturdy hanger as this is a very heavy wreath.
Did your wreath turn out like you wanted it to? Send me a picture! And as always, if you've benefited from this free tutorial site please consider supporting it shopping through my links if you can. Thanks!
