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Natures Wreath Bases

Most common forms of natural bases are moss, vine and straw. Each creates a unique backdrop for any materials you may wish to include in creating your wreath or centerpiece. Making your own wreaths is a very easy process.

Vines

For bases made from vines or roots, it is best to work with freshly cut pieces that are two to five feet in length and no larger than half inch thick. If the vines are not fresh, soak them in your bath tub, for longer lengths, or a large tub until they are pliable.

Start with two or three pieces in varying lenths. Stagger the ends one to three inches apart. Carefully bend the vines into a circle of the approximate size of the base you wish to make. If a few of the vines you use for this starter circle are not long enough, don't panic, they will all come together to make a beautiful end product.

Hold the starter circle in one hand and start to wrap the longest vine around the others - making sure you catch all the short straggley ends in as you wrap. Continue to add vines, starting at a new point each time, wrapping each as directed, until you have the density desired. To finish off each legth of vine, tuck the ends in to secure it in place.

Try a different look by winding additional vines in the opposite direction. You have the choice to tuck in loose tendrils or leave them free. You may also choose to cut any stray tendrils if the look they have given does not fit into the wreath or centerpiece you are planning.

Nature provides us with a variety of vines and roots with which to make our bases from. Most common are willow, grape, honeysuckle and wisteria. The above process works well for all.

Straw

You don't have to use just straw to make this base. Other natural materials such as hay, dried grasses or alfalfa work equally as well. Any straw-like material will work. You can even mix your base materials for an even more unique wreath. Most importantly, is the need to know the circumferance of the needed base.

Start with a hand full of materials approximately one foot in length. Compress together until the straw is approximately one and a half inches thick. Keep in mind one end should be thick and the other end should be tapered.

Starting at the thick end, begin wrapping the straw with heavy floral wire. If available, use wire on a spool for easier handling and less "wire ends" to worry about. Continue adding straw, to maintain the desired thickness, and wrapping until you have a straw snake, that when joined at the ends, will create the size of wreath you planned for. The snake should be approximately six inches longer than desired length to facilitate joining. It is important to ensure your wire wraps are pulled tight and are approximately one inch apart.

To join, overlap end approximately six inches. You may need to add more straw to ensure proper thickness; however, it is best not to try and remove excess, rather scrunch it down to attain an even thickness. Continue wrapping until you have gone past your starting point at least six inches. Cut your wire and tuck into base.

When you are wrapping, you will undoubtedly have loose, stragglers of straw sticking out. There is no need to tuck in all of these pieces, they can be clipped off later.

To finish your base, manipulate it into the desired shape you want and it is ready for use on your next project.

Moss

A moss base needs a little more work to ensure it will be sturdy enough to withstand the addition of other materials used to create your wreath.

The moss needs to be secured around a metal base of some sort. You have the option of purchasing one, or making your own. To make your own, use a metal coat hanger. The coat hanger can be left as is if, after moulding it to your desired shape the circumferance is acceptable. If you wish to have a smaller circumferance, you will need to open up the coat hanger and cut it to the preferred length adding four inches. Using a pair of pliers, bend each end back to form a two inch hook. Don't connect ends together.

Attach floral wire to metal base. Using spagnam moss, place a handful at the beginning of the hanger base where the wire is attached. Wrap the moss onto the base several times to secure in place. Continue to add moss making sure to overlap clumps and securing with wire wraps approximately two inches appart. The wire needs to be wrapped very tightly to stand the pressure of items being included to finish your project.

At the end of the wire, when completely covered with moss, hook the ends of the base together to form the desired shape you want. Cover the hooks with moss and continue wrapping for at least six more inches. Cut the wrapping wire and secure.

You can easily shape the wreath to the thickeness and shape you desire by molding it with your hands. This weath is perfect to embelish with dried flowers and herbs.

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