I now have been making several vintage Christmas ornament wreaths for four years. Last year, I gave away two from my stash, this year, three. Then, happy that some stuff had left the house, I spent the weekend making two new wreaths — one for a friend and one for myself. The two wreath designs are linked, because she has helped me in some special ways this year. I made my wreath in silver (we are all made of stardust), and hers, in the classic complement, gold.
Above: I found the ornament of the two midcentury modern quails (?) just a week ago at the Goodwill. I am working very hard to stop holding onto every gosh-darned precious thing I find, and instead, to set more free. So off the rare birds went — appropriately, too, representing my friend and me. You can also see, far left, that a tiny vintage porcelain owl went into this wreath, as my friend is very wise. I found the owl at an estate sale — tiny creatures like this are now on my hunting list, too.
Above: Another thing I came up with during this project. An ornament broke. In pretty big pieces. Instead of throwing it away, I glued pieces of it onto other ornaments (plain ones in the outer ring) for texture, effect and golly, for art! I glued a few pieces of that broken gold ornament onto my silver wreath, too. That is one of the several ways the wreaths are connected.
Above: My silver wreath. My goodness — and this is ADVICE: you need a LOT of ornaments to make these wreaths! And I need a lot of time. I spent about seven hours on Saturday making the gold wreath, then the same number of hours on Sunday rolling over into Monday morning working on the silver wreath. Sunday I needed to take a break. So, I took Astro to Petco for a walk and bought him snow booties and some treats. (Can you see him, by the pine cone elf, in my silver wreath?) It’s been freezing here! I also went to Big Lots, where I bought Sterilite wreath containers for $8 each.
I gave my friend her wreath yesterday. She ooohed and aaahed, of course. I had also brought along mine to show her, especially to point out the its and bits that linked the two wreaths.
When I came home, I promptly hung my wreath to display for the rest of the season. Heck. Maybe, year ’round; stardust is forever.
I walked away and about five seconds later: CRASH. Yup. It fell. I had used the wreath base from my very first wreath (which I dismantled this year). I didn’t realize it, but I had used a different method then to attach the wire hanger. It failed.
The wreath seems to have slid down the door, rather than fallen flat on its face. So *fortunately* I only lost about 10 ornaments. Back to my glue gun.
My fallen star shall rise again momentarily, molecules rearranged anew.
- See all of our wreath stories including our world-famous DIY tutorial by clicking here.
Update: My falling star wreath, repaired; I am goin’ with the flow:
John Buckley says
Pam-Your work is lovely and inspiring. I like your approach to don’t fuss too much! Glass breaks! Repairs, as in life, are always possible and allow for new ways of things coming together.
I think it’s also great advice to start practicing with newer ornaments. I have been collecting all of my life. The inspiration comes from my maternal grandmother who had a great collection and loved Christmas! Though my original childhood (through age 18) collection lives with my mother-I started over for myself and my family.
A few practical questions- I’m curious what brand of glue gun you like best and what size foam ring you start with? 14″ perhaps? Hope you have a very sparkly holiday season!-Vintage things still speak their magic to me, even in mid life. You seem to speak the same language- Merry Christmas!
Pam Kueber says
Hi John, the glue gun I use, along with wreath form and other info is in this story: https://retrorenovation.com/2013/11/18/30-tips-how-to-make-vintage-christmas-ornament-wreath/
John says
Thanks Pam! Super helpful regarding, glue gun, hanging mechanism, and garland! Looking forward to making some this season! Happy Holidays to you-
Best Regards,
John
Kelly Wittenauer says
I like the silver one better. Sorry to hear of it’s crash. Really hope that sputnik looking ornament near the bottom was not one of the casualties – it is the coolest I’ve seen!
pam kueber says
The Sputnik did not break! I need to post the new photo, I know…
Suzy says
My heart stopped and I gasped when I got to the part about the wreath falling. That could have been a complete tantrum inducing disaster, but thank god it wasn’t!! Love both wreaths, especially the stardust and yes, you should keep it up year round.
pam kueber says
Thank you Suzy! It was a zen project to begin with, so I tried to take it all in stride. Stars crash, you know….
lyndsewsalot says
I took my aluminum tree out, and set it up, but didn’t get around to decorating it for a couple of days. So my dear hubby decorated it. When I came home from a really hard day of working. It was all done. That was a nice surprise! The next morning I opened the trash can to find a whole lot of broken vintage shininess looking up at me! My husband laughed , and said ” oh yeah, they really are fragile, They kept falling off the branches on me”! (I had a really hard time not lashing out irrationally! ). I have to force myself to put things in perspective in these situations! My crazy in a good way head says” its just an ornament”……., But my crazy in a not so good way heart says ” ARE YOU INSANE!!!!!YOU JUST BROKE CHRISTMAS”.
JaniceW says
Ok, you’ve inspired me. It’s time to fix my wreath. Several ornaments broke when I moved a few months ago. I knew when I saw the mover flinging the wreath box around that it wasn’t going to survive.
Those wreaths are gorgeous.
Jay says
The wreaths are exquisite! You have an eye for the composition, where to put what. I feel your pain over the loss of ornaments, when the wreath fell. This year was a record, I broke three ornaments decorating the tree.
Markie says
The wreaths are beautiful! I haven’t had one fall yet, and I’m afraid I will fall into a crying heap! lol
pam kueber says
Yes. But… what ya gonna do but pick up the glue gun — and start again! I’m trying to take it all in stride! And basically, at this point, I need to get my dining room cleaned up. Ornies and glitter and tinsel and weebits — everywhere! I’m about to head upstairs to repair the damage right now. Will post the ‘new’ version!
Markie says
Very true. The beauty of it is to be able to rearrange, recreate and make it new…. I also understand about ornies and weebits everywhere hahaha!
Diane in CO says
Thank goodness you took the photo! It is fabulous!
Karin says
OOOH! AAAH! WHOA!
pam kueber says
🙂
Bette Jean says
Could your quails (?) be two turtle doves, maybe part of the Twelve Days of Christmas?
pam kueber says
You may be right! Turtle doves! If so, I would LOVE to have had the entire set of THOSE ornaments!!!!
Lynne says
My first thought was a Partridge as “in a pear tree”.
Pam, your wreaths are absolutely stunning.
pam kueber says
Thank you! As long as I take time, and don’t make it feel like another “obligation”, making these gives me immense joy.
Tracy says
Both of the wreaths are stunning-love the monochromatic look! I’m so glad your stardust wreath is repairable after the mishap. I’d love to give this a try someday.
pam kueber says
Thanks, Tracy, I love monochromatic, too! I find that I need to add a little green and silver to the Gold, to make it pop. I also tend to add a little green to the Silver; just because.
It’s also interesting that even while they are monochrome, there were, in reality, many shades of silver and gold. And then, patina happens, too.