Mumsnet Talk

I saw one in a garden centre and it looked lovely sprayed in silver/ white. Dh saw it and said why don't you make one.. So I thought ok.... At risk of an obvious question... Can I use any old twigs????

I've never made one but I would imagine any old twigs would do it - probably the more dead the better as they will have dried out a bit by then (I'm thinking of your spray paint sticking).
Good luck.

I'm having a go, and agree with Winged just let they dry out - just be careful of looking at the pintrest thread - or you will just loose hours of your life !

It's best to use twigs that are still supple otherwise if you dry them out they snap when you bend them. Silver birch and clematis (cut off the dying leaves) are really nice for weaving into a wreath. I use a metal florists ring as a base which I think you can get probably buy on eBay. Make your wreath and then let it dry out before spraying it.

Agreeing with JamNan about fresh stuff being more pliable/easier, and to spray when dried out. I did a half-day course for fundraising, and we made a fine old mess stripping all leaves off, using longer stems for starting circle then weaving smaller, thinner bits later to improve shape, but, it's possible to use virtually any plant which has pliable stems. If you're wanting thicker stems, make them shorter (less bendy) and cut to same angle to neaten as finishing. For decorating, any dried seedheads,leaves etc from garden will look good sprayed, then add festive bow and hook to hang.

WEll, I am off to look at Pinterest.

wow thanks Jamnan and Showtime I'll try that. Dingle I did warn you about pintrest.

I make wreaths from willow trimmings, do it with fresh cut wet stems, then leave in garage to dry for a month - they really are lovely - and go down a treat at the school Xmas fair for a fiver apiece - despite costing nowt!

Gosh thanks off forreging when the dec are back at school. What's the Pinterest thread????

Meant dc's! I did a Xmas wreath making course last year but just thought a different look this year would be nice to try. So the summary is....any pliable twigs, willow, clematis, silver birch really good, thicker stems make shorter, dry them out now. And spray when dry. Can't wait

Chippy beware, go to christmas topic, then find the thread : Share your christmas boards. Only do this when you have several hours to spare. You will then see the most beautiful array of christmas ideas. I actually keep a pen handy to write down some of them. remember this is very, very dangerous persuit

Omg.... Pinterest..... Amazing...may need therapy after this!

I'm afraid to count the Pinterest and Craftgawker bookmarks I have set up on my phone. I have lost weeks, I tell you!

OntheBottom surely you don't need Pintrest don't you just dust off all those old womansweeklys ?

Off to docs to search out old copies of my weekly ....

pick one up for me Chippy

flyover they're all raggy from the beatings...

Anyone remember Golden Hands magazine in the 70's? My mum kept them all and I taught myself to crochet from them.

Oh, and here's a magazine based joke for you all -

Cosmo - tells you how to have orgasms
Vogue - tells you how to have orgasms in style
Woman's Weekly - tells you how to knit one

Badum-tish!

If you get a baking tin or roses/quality street tin it helps shape them all when you're weaving the twigs.

Leave it in a warm dry place for a couple of days to 'set' and pop it out.