wreaths made from grapevine cuttings

This year I worked in the local vineyard helping with thinning of the vines, leaf picking and the harvest.

I love the look of grapevine wreaths and I asked if I could have some cuttings in Autumn to make my own wreaths.

Last week I picked up some cuttings, but because it is late in the season and the pruning of the vines is nearly finished, the cuttings are dry and brittle.

So I soaked the branches in the bath for nearly two days.

Finished wreath

 

The soaking of the cuttings and a brick holds them down.

The start of the wreath.

 I used a long branch and carefully shaped this into a circle, with a little copper wire I tied the bottom of the wreath together.

 Next I wove the branches in and out around the first circle and luckily because of the soaking in the bath, the cuttings were pliable enough to bend.

More finished wreaths.

 I try to leave the tendrils on the cuttings and also some dried up grapes, this gives more texture to the wreath. I like the rustic handmade look, so much more interesting then the mass produced wreaths.
And made from cuttings from a local vineyard!
Maybe I will spray some white and turn them into shabby chic wreaths.
I will use the left over branches to make stars and hearts for Christmas.
In September I am part of the Shabby Chic market and they will look great on my stall.

The vineyard were I worked and one of the bottle of wines from the vineyard

Just before the thinning of the vines.

Shabby Chic Course Finished work

Again the results of the Shabby Chic course at Waimea College are fantastic.

I love all the creativity and I am inspired every time by the finished work.

Each course is different, I teach the same techniques, but the outcomes are always so unique.

All the pieces in the photographs were items found in recycle or op shops and are now beautiful restored with care, patience and love.

Piano Stool distressed and covered with French fabric.

Transfer image from the "Graphics Fairy" website onto a trolley with a background crackle.

Transfer image onto a wooden distressed clock, the numbers are just gilded.

Beautiful distressed tray with a rose transfer image.

Decoupaged fairy inside a frosted vase

A copper vase gilded

A old wooden tray decoupaged and antiqued, love it!

This rose is not painted on, but done with the transfer technique using wrapping paper.

The next course starts in August at Waimea College,Richmond, Nelson.
I also travel to teach workshops in Shabby Chic, for more information, email me.