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How to Make a Rustic Christmas Wreath + 12 Wreath Ideas!

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It is the most wonderful time of the year, with all of us getting ready for the holidays. I’ve already got my Christmas tree up and have even made a few decorations. But we cannot neglect the front door, now can we? And so today I am here to show you how to make a rustic Christmas wreath.

I am also joining some very special friends for a Christmas blog hop, so be sure to check them out at the end of this post.

Last year I had made wreaths with frames.  ​This year I wanted to try my hand at a DIY rustic Christmas wreath but with items that are not normally used in a wreath. 

What I used:

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  • faux wreath frame with flexible branches
  • pine cones
  • traditional wood clothes pins
  • twine covered balls
  • pieces of old necklaces with rustic looking beads
  • sprigs of berry
  • 2 bells
  • twine​
  • glue

The how to:

I started off by gluing the pine cones onto the wreath. I used regular glue. Nothing fancy. If you also love these nature-found gems, be sure to check out these clever pine cone craft ideas.

I was puttering around the garage one day and came upon these traditional clothespins.  They looked so cute and quaint I just had do have them. To this dad, my dad does not know that I have borrowed them. 

I inserted the traditional wood clothes pins around the wreath.  Pretty much to divide the circle into 6 pieces, like a pizza pie. This is not something I would normally do but I was feeling adventurous.   And I also placed the twine covered balls around the wreath. 

The faux berry sprig was next.  Aren’t those berries beautiful? They look good enough to eat.

And the icing on the cake: I had dug up some old necklaces with stone and wooden  beads.  I would not be wearing them anytime soon since they were broken.  So you know me, I wanted to re-use them somewhere and this wreath just seemed like the proper place.  

Those earthy colors were perfect for the look I was after. 

And finally I added these two bells in the center of the wreath.  I’ll show you what they originally looked like in another post. I even added two clothes pins on the inside.

There it was my perfect wreath! Full of rustic, earthy goodness.

 I hung it up on the front door of the house and snapped some photos in the morning light. 

And then I tried to close the door with the storm door on the outside…. and guess what?

Those beautiful bells were too big to allow the door to close…

And so I had to replace my gorgeous bells with this “Merry Christmas” sign that I confiscated from another decoration.  A little glitter never hurt anyone!  😉

At least now, my door closes!

As for the bells, oh those lovely bells, I’ll be showing you where I placed them next week. 

Either way with the bells or with the silver lettering I still have a rustic Christmas wreath that is proudly hanging on my front door. Which do you like better?

Hop on down to visit my friends with their Christmas ideas.

How to make a rustic Christmas wreath using rustic elements such as pine cones, traditional clothes pins and re-purposed, earthy colored necklace beads, #rusticwreath #pinecones #Christmaswreath #Naturalwreath #repurposedbeads #upcycled

Additional Christmas Wreath Ideas

Finally, this coastal inspired Christmas wreath from Sustain My Craft Habit has the perfect touches of beachy goodness!

Interested in More Christmas Decorating Ideas?

Explore these great projects by our favourite bloggers:

Sam @ Raggedy Bits | Janine @ Happy Happy Nester

Leanna @ Faeries and Fauna Crafts | Jodie and Julie @ The Design Twins

Katrin @ Kreativ K | Ashley @ Modern Glam

Sarah @ Creative Ramblings | Kellie @ Gratefully Vintage

Amanda @ Life on the Bay Bush | Tara @ Lehman Lane

  1. Erica says:

    I absolutely love how this turned out, Mary! Such a great idea using old jewelry. You are one clever lady.

  2. Kippi says:

    Your wreath is so creative with the clothes pins.
    Merry Christmas,
    Kippi

  3. Tara Lehman says:

    What pretty wreath Mary! I really liked the look of the bells but the Merry Christmas sign looks great too 🙂

  4. Mary, the wreath is so charming. I love the addition of the clothes pins and twine balls. The bells look great so it is to bad they are too big but I look forward to seeing where they ended up. Besides a glittery Merry Christmas is really the perfect touch.

  5. Florence says:

    The wreath is beautifully done. I can’t tell it’s made with quirky things. Love the bells too. Can’t wait to hear where you got those.

  6. Marie says:

    Vintage clothespins and beaded necklaces – brilliant! You know I’m a huge fan of your recycling genius and this festive wreath is no exception. Pinned 🙂

  7. I love it! I especially love the bells and am anxious to see what you did with them!

  8. Uwe says:

    Mary, your Christmas wreath looks so great…..
    best wishes
    Uwe

  9. Keri Roberts says:

    Mary, your rustic wreath is beautiful! I especially like the clothespins. Too bad the door wouldn’t close with the bells but I think the Merry Christmas sign looks wonderful on there too.

  10. Teodora says:

    What a beautiful wreath! I like them both, but there is something special about those bells.

  11. I confess I laughed with the door-bells problem but this is a pretty alternative! I’m looking forward to find out what happened to the bells! Great work Mary!

  12. Julie says:

    How lovely Mary, I usually jazz up our faux wreath with some real greenery but I’ve not had chance yet this year. It’s looking a bit ordinary so you’ve given me some good ideas, thanks.

  13. Christine says:

    Love the wreath Mary. The clothes pin are an awesome touch!

  14. Rhonda says:

    I love your wreaths. The one with the bell reminds me of the wreath we had on the front door when I was growing up. Thanks for sharing on Sunday’s Best.

  15. Amber Harrop says:

    The bells were beautiful – shame about the storm door but it looks great either way

  16. Thanks for sharing on the Whisk It Wednesday link party at Carrie’s Home Cooking. I hope to see you there again. Merry Christmas! – Carrie @ Carrie’s Home Cooking

  17. lovely! Thank you for sharing at the TFT party. Featured on facebook and pinned xo

  18. Claire says:

    Love the quirky clothes pegs in your lovely wreath!

  19. Leanna says:

    Hi Mary. This is a very nice rustic wreath. I really prefer the Merry Christmas sign in the middle because it reminds me of one my Mom had. It was her very favorite.
    Great idea to use the antique clothes pin. They look cute included in your wreath.

  20. Absolutely beautiful! I love the use of old necklaces – they tie right in! The wreath is gorgeous with both the bells and the Merry Christmas sign – love the glitter 🙂
    I just made my first wreath for my front door and it is quiiiite pathetic compared to this! Of course, I had a $10 budget for myself and was using Walmart goodies, so not much could be expected XD

    • Mary says:

      Amy I pride myself on not spending much. Most of the stuff you see I already had. The bells were old and I just repainted them. I am a firm believer that paint is our best friend.

  21. Janine says:

    Mary,
    Love your wreath! I bought some rustic bells that need to go on wreath for my front door. So, hopefully you inspired me to get mine made! Thanks for joining us on this great blog tour!

    • Mary says:

      Thank you Janine. It is a great blog tour and I’m looking forward to visiting all the ladies. Thanks for all your hard work.

  22. Your rustic Christmas wreath is gorgeous Mary and what a pity about the bells. They’re so lovely, but as you say a little bit o glitter never hurt anyone and I’m sure you’ve found another perfect spot for your bells.

  23. Jodie & Julie says:

    Very rustic, cute and unexpected. I love your use of elements that were not just “Christmas” decor. It turned out great!
    xoxo Jodie

  24. Katrin says:

    So clever as always, I love all the little details you’ve added, makes for a rustic and cozy Christmas wreath Mary! So pretty!

  25. Kellie says:

    Mary, your wreath came out so beautifully! I especially love the vintage bells!! I have a storm door too, and every year in vain I try to hang it on the storm door, but it never works so inevitably it gets squished!! 😉

  26. It’s lovely. I would describe it as formal rustic, though! A little more elegant than just rustic!

  27. tomthebackroadstraveller says:

    …festive!

  28. Amanda says:

    I love the way this turned out. And its neutral enough to work with almost any style. Lovely!

  29. Nikki Gwin says:

    haha I have the same problem with EVERYthing I hang on my door! Even just flowers get squished by the storm door. I love your wreath with the bells, but the sign is a good substitute!
    🙂 gwingal

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