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These retro-inspried mini bottle brush wreaths harken back to festive dime store wreaths of the 1950s and 60s. They're super easy to assemble and can be made in hundreds of different color combinations to suit a variety of decor styles. Use them as ornaments, package tie-ons and more! Completed wreaths are 2" to 2-1/4" across.
Supplies: Small Bottle Brush Wreaths, 6mm Glass Beads, Bell Beads, Miniature Fruit, Berry Stamen, Tiny Mushrooms, Foil Leaves, Velvet Leaves, Miniature Flowers, Velvet Bows, 1/8" Velvet Ribbon, Dresden Bows, Dresden Christmas Scripts, 26 Gauge Wire, Clear-drying Glue (like Elmer's or Alleen's Tacky Glue), Scissors, Needle Nose Pliers, Paint Brushes or Pens (to wrap wire around)
General Assembly Steps:
Step 1: Gather and arrange supplies. Trim off wired stems to isolate fruits, flowers, leaves and mushrooms. Cut Dresden pieces away from main sheets. Hold up items to determine placement and mix.
Step 2: Add hanger. Details for adding hangers are noted below.
Step 3: Add bell(s). Details for adding bells are noted below.
Step 4: Glue on decorative elements.
Adding a hanger: We added two styles of hanger: a wire loop attached to the wreath and a tied-on length of red ribbon. We added the hangers first to allow us to easily center the hanger before decorating the wreath.
To add a wire hanger:
-- Cut a 7" length of wire. At center, wrap wire around a paint brush handle to form a loop. Twist wire around itself to secure. Place tails of wire on either side of wreath, gently nestle loop into bristles. Bring tails together on inside of wreath and twist to secure. Cut remaining tails leaving about 1/2". Use needle nose pliers to twist and curl wire up into the bristles.
To add a ribbon hanger:
-- Cut a 12" length of 1/8" velvet ribbon. Loop through wreath and tie securely at top of wreath, nestling ribbon into bristles. Loose ends can be tied into a knot near the ends to make a closed loop or be left open to use as a gift tie-on later.
Adding a bell: Adding a bell is very similar to adding a wire hanger.
-- Cut a 9" length of wire. At center, wrap wire around a small paint brush handle to form a loop. Twist wire around itself to secure. Add bell to wires. Place tails of wire on either side of wreath, placing top of bell at bristles. Bring wire tails together on top side of wreath and twist to secure, nestling twist into bristles. Cut remaining tails leaving about 1/2". Use needle nose pliers to twist and curl wire into the bristles. To add a second bell, repeat technique.
Tips:
- To achieve a more balanced placement of decorative elements: first add a hanger, next add your bow, then glue on additional items.
- It tales less supplies than one would imagine to achieve a striking result, like the "A Merry Christmas" wreath below center, second row. It has 6 glass beads, 1 bow, 1 Dresden script and a red velvet ribbon hanger.
- Add a narrow velvet ribbon bow by tying a length of 1/8" velvet ribbon just under the loop of a wire hanger, like the Silver Foil Candle wreath below center, first row.
- When in doubt, keep it traditional: red and green plus gold or silver are always a hit and classic Christmas.
- So many combinations of beads + leaves + fruit + bows are possible. 9 of our favorites are detailed below.
Item No. MN-CZ45
18 old store stock textured composition lemon stamen. Each measures just over 3/8" tall on a 1.5" brown paper covered wire stem. Made in the Czech Republic.
Item No. MN-CZ44
18 old store stock textured composition orange stamen. Each measures 3/8" tall on a 1.5" brown paper covered wire stem. Made in the Czech Republic.
Item No. MN-CZ42
15 old store stock composition banana stamen in yellow with green accents and handpainted brown stripes. Each measures just over 3/8" tall on a 1.5" brown paper covered wire stem. Made in the Czech Republic.
Item No. MN-CZ41R
18 old store stock glossy lacquered currant stamen in red. Each measures 3/8" tall on a 1.5" brown paper covered wire stem. Made in the Czech Republic.
Item No. LB005
1 bundle of 36 ladybug stamen. Stems are green paper-wrapped wire, heads are lacquered composition in glossy red and powdery black with painted white spots. 2 1/2" long overall with ladybugs measuring just over 1/4" across. Handmade in the Czech Republic.
Item No. GBR6S
These glossy silver round mercury glass beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown, silvered and colored by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 6mm, which is just under 1/4". Sold i...(click for more)
Item No. GBR6RP
These glossy purple round mercury glass beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown, silvered and colored by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 6mm, which is just under 1/4". Sold i...(click for more)
Item No. GBR6RB
These glossy blue round mercury glass beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown, silvered and colored by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 6mm, which is just under 1/4". Sold in ...(click for more)
Item No. GBR6R
These glossy red round mercury glass beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown, silvered and colored by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 6mm, which is just under 1/4". Sold in g...(click for more)
Item No. GBR6PUR
These glossy light purple round blown glass beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown, silvered and colored by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 6mm, which is just under 1/4". So...(click for more)
Item No. GBR6PRT
These pearl teal round blown glass beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown, silvered and colored by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 6mm, which is just under 1/4". Sold in gro...(click for more)
Item No. GBR6PRGR
These pearl green round mercury glass beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown, silvered and colored by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 6mm, which is just under 1/4". Sold in ...(click for more)
Item No. GBR6PRF
These pearl fuchsia pink round blown glass beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown, silvered and colored by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 6mm, which is just under 1/4". Sol...(click for more)
Item No. GBR6PRBL
These pearl light blue round blown glass beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown, silvered and colored by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 6mm, which is just under 1/4". Sold ...(click for more)
Item No. GBR6LTG
These glossy light green round blown glass beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown, silvered and colored by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 6mm, which is just under 1/4". Sol...(click for more)
Item No. GBR6HP
These glossy hot pink round mercury glass beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown, silvered and colored by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 6mm, which is just under 1/4". Sold...(click for more)
Item No. GBR6GR
These glossy green round mercury glass beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown, silvered and colored by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 6mm, which is just under 1/4". Sold in...(click for more)
Item No. GBR6G
These glossy gold round mercury glass beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown, silvered and colored by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 6mm, which is just under 1/4". Sold in ...(click for more)
Item No. GBR6C
These glossy copper round mercury glass beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown, silvered and colored by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 6mm, which is just under 1/4". Sold i...(click for more)
Item No. GBR6BR
These glossy brown round blown glass beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown, silvered and colored by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 6mm, which is just under 1/4". Sold in g...(click for more)
Item No. GBR6AQ
These glossy aqua round mercury glass beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown, silvered and colored by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 6mm, which is just under 1/4". Sold in ...(click for more)
Item No. GB051S
These glossy silver bell mercury glass beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown and silvered by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 21mm, which is just over 3/4". Sold in groups o...(click for more)
Item No. GB051RB
These glossy blue bell mercury glass beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown and silvered by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 21mm, which is just over 3/4". Sold in groups of ...(click for more)
Item No. GB051R
These glossy red bell mercury glass beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown and silvered by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 21mm, which is just over 3/4". Sold in groups of 3...(click for more)
Item No. GB051PK
These glossy pink bell mercury glass beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown and silvered by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 21mm, which is just over 3/4". Sold in groups of ...(click for more)
Item No. GB051G
These glossy gold bell mercury glass beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown and silvered by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 21mm, which is just over 3/4". Sold in groups of ...(click for more)
Item No. GB051DKG
These glossy dark green bell beads are handmade in Victorian era molds in the Czech Republic. They're blown and silvered by hand. These are thin and hollow glass beads made especially for Christmas garlands, decorations and ornaments; they are not appropriate for jewelry. Please note the photo shows the bead style larger than actual size in order to show detail. Actual size is 21mm, which is just over 3/4". Sold in groups of 3, pleas...(click for more)
Item No. DFW782WH
Sheet of 10 medium Dresden bows, each measuring 1" x 1/2". White paper on front, off white paper back. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW782S
Sheet of 10 medium Dresden bows, each measuring 1" x 1/2". Silver foil on front, white or tan paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW782R
Sheet of 10 medium Dresden bows, each measuring 1" x 1/2". Red foil on front, off white paper on back. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW782LPU
Sheet of 10 medium Dresden bows, each measuring 1" x 1/2". Light purple foil on front, white paper on the reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW782LGR
Sheet of 10 medium Dresden bows, each measuring 1" x 1/2". Light green foil on front, white paper on the reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW782GR
Sheet of 10 medium Dresden bows, each measuring 1" x 1/2". Green foil on front, tan paper on the reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW782G
Sheet of 10 medium Dresden bows, each measuring 1" x 1/2". Gold foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW782AG
Sheet of 10 medium Dresden bows, each measuring 1" x 1/2". Antique gold foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW7077-S
Sheet of 48 miniature Dresden bows, each measuring 1/2" x 1/4". Silver foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DFW7077-AG
Sheet of 48 miniature Dresden bows, each measuring 1/2" x 1/4". Antique gold foil on front, white paper on reverse. Made in Germany.
Item No. DF818-WH
Sheet of 12 fancy Dresden scripts that say "A Merry Christmas," each measuring 1-5/8" wide x 3/4" tall. Antique white paper on the front, white paper on reverse. Overall sheet measures 3-1/2" wide x 4-3/$" tall. Made in Germany.
Item No. DF818-S
Sheet of 12 fancy Dresden scripts that say "A Merry Christmas," each measuring 1-5/8" wide x 3/4" tall. Silver foil on the front, white paper on reverse. Overall sheet measures 3-1/2" wide x 4-3/$" tall. Made in Germany.
Item No. DF818-R
Sheet of 12 fancy Dresden scripts that say "A Merry Christmas," each measuring 1-5/8" wide x 3/4" tall. Red foil on the front, off white paper on reverse. Overall sheet measures 3-1/2" wide x 4-3/$" tall. Made in Germany.
Item No. DF818-LGR
Sheet of 12 fancy Dresden scripts that say "A Merry Christmas," each measuring 1-5/8" wide x 3/4" tall. Light green foil on the front, white paper on reverse. Overall sheet measures 3-1/2" wide x 4-3/$" tall. Made in Germany.
Item No. DF818-GR
Sheet of 12 fancy Dresden scripts that say "A Merry Christmas," each measuring 1-5/8" wide x 3/4" tall. Green foil on the front, white paper on reverse. Overall sheet measures 3-1/2" wide x 4-3/$" tall. Made in Germany.
Item No. DF818-DKB
Sheet of 12 fancy Dresden scripts that say "A Merry Christmas," each measuring 1-5/8" wide x 3/4" tall. Dark blue foil on the front, white paper on reverse. Overall sheet measures 3-1/2" wide x 4-3/$" tall. Made in Germany.
Item No. DF818-AG
Sheet of 12 fancy Dresden scripts that say "A Merry Christmas," each measuring 1-5/8" wide x 3/4" tall. Antique gold foil on the front, white paper on reverse. Overall sheet measures 3-1/2" wide x 4-3/$" tall. Made in Germany.