Inspired by traditional primitive arts concepts, a folk art Christmas wreath can be created from a variety of unusual craft materials and miniature items. With the aid of a Styrofoam frame or woven grapevine shape, crafters can showcase their decorative skills in any shape or style of wreath designed to match the display place or home decor.
A few standard primitive materials can dress up a simple wreath frame, from primitive paper mache ornaments to rusty bells and vintage plastic balls. Natural materials are also a popular choice for decorating folk art wreaths. These materials can be altered in appearance or mixed together to create one-of-a-kind holiday art for gracing the front door or mantelpiece.
Primitive Holiday Wreaths
Wrap a Styrofoam wreath in ribbon or fabric scraps, then glue rusty jingle bells over the surface of the wreath. A simple recipe for rusting inexpensive jingle bells is easy to find online. Mix and match with other primitive ornaments, including miniature metal bells and old-fashioned tin-punch ornaments.
Trim the wreath with a faded vintage felt ribbon as a finishing touch or use a strip of faded fabric in holiday colors. Make a quick and easy hanger from the wreath using rusty craft wire wrapped around the frame to support the wreath for display.
Vintage Wreath Decor
Wrap a Styrofoam wreath or grapevine frame in satin ribbon glued firmly in place. Decorate with vintage mini plastic ornaments by removing their tops and hot-gluing the plastic balls to the ribbon-wrapped surface. Use a variety of sizes and colors, but silver and pink are among the most classic vintage colors.
Duplicate vintage holly wreath designs by crafting holly sprigs from felt or paper mache holly berries from newspaper strips, wire, and flour-and-water paste. Paint the berries with a combination of red craft paint and gold enamel paint to add an old-fashioned sheen. Cut leaves from felt or velveteen fabric scraps to accompany the berry clusters.
Natural Wreath Designs
Decorate a grapevine weave with natural materials to make a simple Christmas wreath with a folk art theme. Paint twigs, large acorns, and pinecones with non-toxic enamel paint. Sprinkle the wet items with clear or gold craft glitter, then allow them to dry. Glue them to the surface of the wreath using hot glue.
Display the finished wreaths from doors, windows, or above the mantelpiece. Any creative wreath design, from rusty bells to natural ornaments, will add a touch of primitive Christmas to the holiday's decor.
Sarah Briggs - For the last two years, I have designed primitive dolls and folk art sculptures (such as Edwin Drood and the Ghost of Marley) for Cordwood ...
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