Tuesday 5 February 2013

How to make rustic twig heart wreaths




Today I joined in with Red Ted Art's Google Hangout again.  It's lots of fun, and this week we shared ideas for stick or twig crafts.

We never come back from a walk in the woods or down the park without some treasures - generally sticks! So this was really great for me to find some new ideas.

Take a look at the Hangout for all the crafts, including my demo of how to make the heart wreaths.





For this project we used bunches of long twigs - weeping willow or silver birch is ideal.



Simply take a bundle of similar length twigs in your hang and secure together near the end.  You can use wire; string; garden twine or cotton to do this, whatever is to hand.  If you want to disguise it, you can wrap around some smaller twigs when you've finished.



Holding the secured end in one hand, use your other hand to divide the twigs into two equal sections, then with a gentle twisting motion, bend it over to make the heart shape, catching in the top ends and secure at the bottom end as before.

I like to leave some ends loose to make a tail.  Tidy up by gently pushing and weaving any loose ends on the heart shape back into place.

For Valentine's simply tie with a big red bow and use to decorate your door.

You can make mini ones as present decorations or stick them to Valentine's cards.

For children's crafts they can embellish the wreath with dried leaves, fabric flowers, pom poms, sticky jewels, wrap strings of old beads through...the sky's the limit!


These are so simple to make and are seriously addictive.  I'm running out of places to put them!

You can also spray paint these or kids can paint them with brushes.  Metallic coloured ones look great as Christmas decorations too.

For more tree inspired crafts you might like my Silver Birch Bark Candle Holders and my Glittered Sticky Buds.  



Don't forget to head over to Red Ted Art and check out the links for all the crafts featured on the video:




Has this inspired you to get out in the forest?  What stick crafts do you enjoy?

Also linking up with Ta-dah Tuesday.

And #GetYourCraftOn


22 comments:

  1. Simple gorgeous Liz! Really love the heart wreath and will def have a go at one.

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    1. Thanks Maggy, I LOVE your hangouts! Note to self: check microphone!

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  2. I loved the heart wreath as well. Definitely want to have a go at this.

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    1. Yay, thanks Anthea.

      We're going to try your twig sunbursts too x

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  3. I was eyeing up the willow tree in the school playground tonight Liz, with new interest! Watch this space... :)

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    1. Yay, you can't beat a bit of urban foraging! Quick, get it before the road sweeper does x

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  4. Great stick crafts - really like your heart wreath!

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  5. These are fab, far better than Kirstie's woven placemat madness!

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    Replies
    1. Tee hee. What were those all about? They were awful weren't they?!

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  6. What a great idea to actually DO something with the sticks the kids pick up. I used to toss them aside when they forgot about them. ;)

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  7. Very cute! I love those silver birch candle holders too.

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  8. *runs off to find more sticks* x

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  9. I love this idea for Christmas. Sprayed silver or gold. Going to practice making them over the next few months.

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  10. Oooh yes I second the Christmas idea! x

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  11. LOVE these Lizzie, they are darling!!

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  12. Love this! Will desperately be seeking willow branches from now on!

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