For a lightweight wreath that can add a soft touch to your decor, make a feather wreath. You can buy ready-made feather wreaths, but they can be expensive. As of Dec 2010, feather wreath prices range between $19.99 to $59.99. It will only cost you roughly $10 if you buy the feathers, wires and glue sticks only; cheaper if you have access to free feathers. Feather wreaths make ideal gifts for someone who loves to decorate for spring, summer, fall and winter. Place feather wreaths on top of your mantel or against a mirror. You can also use feather wreaths as centerpieces. Place spheres at the center to make it look like a nest.
Materials Needed :
Styrofoam wreath base (18-in diameter for small, 24-in diameter for medium or 30-in diameter for large)
Feather boa or assorted feathers
Floral wire
Glue gun
Scissors
Ribbon
Instructions:
Choose a light-weight wreath base for your feather wreath. This way, your feather wreath will not only look light, it will feel light. A wreath base made from Styrofoam or similar light-weight material such as wire wreath base should do. You can find a variety of colors from single- to multi-colors. Choose colors that will complement your decor and will work year-round. Or, better yet, create multiple feather wreaths for different seasons.
Gather some feathers. If you have access to real feathers, feel free to use them. Just make sure they’re clean and pest-free. You can find feather boas and garlands from craft stores. One feather boa is enough to fill the wreath base. If you want more volume, add one more feather boa.
Cut the floral wire into several pieces (approximately 12 pieces) measuring 4-in long or longer. Make sure to cut to size to go around the thickness of the Styrofoam.
Tie one end of the feather boa to the wreath base as your starting point. Then, proceed to winding or looping the feather boa in and out of the open center of the wreath base.
Use the floral wires to anchor the feather boa every 3 inches or so. Doing so will keep the feather boa securely in place.
Continue winding the feather boa until it reaches the point where you started. Tie the end with a floral wire in place.
Cut off any excess feather.
Use a glue gun to put back loose feathers. Feathers can be very delicate; therefore, you may encounter feathers that may fall off when you roughly touch them. Attach any loose feathers with the glue gun by dabbing lightly and placing the loose feather on the wreath base, not on top of the other feathers.
Fill gaps with feathers. Cut from the feather boa remnants and attach them using glue gun to anywhere you see any void or where you see portions of your wreath base visible.
Tie a ribbon at the bottom or top center or leave your feather wreath plain.
Loop a floral wire and tie it on the center top of the base of the wreath. Use this for hanging the feather wreath. Make sure the wreath conceals the looped wire.
Note: If you’re using loose feathers that you gathered, use to glue sticks. Glue the feathers piece by piece until you cover the entire wreath base.
