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How to make a Christmas wreath out of vintage ornaments — Georgia Peachez’ secrets

pam kueber - December 11, 2010, Updated: October 20, 2021

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

ornament wreath by georgia peachez

Suzy of Georgia Peachez
Suzy aka Georgia Peachez

UPDATE: Read our expanded tutorial how to make vintage ornament wreaths here.

Last year I proclaimed my love and admiration for Georgia Peachez’ crafty Christmas wreaths made out of vintage tinsel-garland and ornaments. What a fantastic way to use ornaments hunted and scrounged at estate sales all year long — something to hunt for an actually use! Suzy, the genius Peach, is at it again this year — that’s her “That 70s Wreath,” above. Morevoer — we asked for her how-to instructions — and she graciously responded right away! Read on to learn how to make a Christmas wreath out of vintage ornaments of your very own. –>.

ornament wreath georgia peachez

Suzy writes:

  • Start with extruded foam wreath base and wrap in tinsel-tone garland securing with hot glue.
  • Important to add a wire loop here before preceding.
  • Glue larger ornaments around the outer rim of wreath form.
  • Lay flat and then fill in with smaller ornies.
  • I like to mix up ornies with kitschy little things.
  • Important to use HIGH TEMP hot glue.

That’s it in a nutshell!
Suzy

Ooooh! “Kitschy little things.” I have plenty of those.  I ask: Are the ornies attached to anything? or do you just glue them straight on … that is, no hooks? She responds:

  • Just glue them right on. The tinsel gives a good surface to bond to.

One of the things that I think is particularly clever about Suzy’s method, is that by starting with the wrapped tinsel — the back side of the wreath is actually very pretty, too. Here is a photo from a wreath available in her etsy shop that shows what I mean:

If you don’t have time to get crafty, I think that Suzy’s wreaths are very well-priced at $50-$75. And, she says that she has never had an issue with shipping. Here are all the vital links:

  • See Suzy’s Georgia Peachez etsy shop for wreaths and other holiday goodness.
  • Do-it-yourselfers, be sure to see her Wreath Blog. And you know me, Precautionary Pam warns: Be careful with those glue guns and sharp edges, peoples.
  • And, there’s even more creativity over on Suzy’s main Georgia Peachez blog.

Did I read something about “a little obsession” over in your headers, Suzy? I sure do emphathize. In a good way because, girl, you are good! xoxo

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Comments

  1. Faye Jacobs says

    I was hoping there was a video on how exactly to attach the picture wire to the wreath.

  3. Sandy says

    When someone uses vintage ornaments or describes them in wreath making are they actually the old glass ornaments being used????

    • pam kueber says

      Yes, the glass ones, generally. There also are vintage ornaments that are plastic – Bradfords. I use those too.

  4. Jessicula says

    Most vintage ornaments are glass. Does that mean you are working primarily with glass ornies? I thought they would break.

    • pam kueber says

      Yes, we use glass ornaments — they will break if dropped or bumped or if you pressure them , otherwise they work fine

    • Judith says

      Yes they break. Lay wreath flat on table. Then glue ornaments around outside edge making sure they are elevated off table. When you hang it no ornaments should touch the wall or door. They shouldn’t quite touch each other either. When one does break use pliers and carefully pull off the remnants. Glue a new ball in its place. I have several wreaths. Usually break a ball hanging it or putting into storage. Make sure you don’t store uncovered as dust will settle o them and it’s a pest to get off. Try clean makeup brushes to dust them.

      • Pam Kueber says

        I have made many. I glue them flat, not lifted off the table. I also glue them to each other, touching. I have not had breakage issues. However, stored in the attic, where there is a major hot-cold cycle, I think the glue has the potential to get rigid and de-glue from the ornaments. In that case, reglue, and store where temperature extremes are less severe. Oh also: Before lifting out of wreath case every season, check for loosies. They are most likely to fall off then, if the glue has rigidified (word?) over the previous year in storage.