These last two weeks have been DIY-heavy behind the scenes, with lots of fun little projects to get you through the holidays. I’ve been attempting to cram everything in before I head up to North Carolina at the end of next week, to play in the snow for a few days. But as hard as I try, I can’t get the mountains and the (very real) possibility of a white Christmas out of my head. Hey, I never get snow here in Florida so it’s pretty special for me.
So when Bing challenged me to try out their Smart Search , I was all over it – checking out things to do in Asheville and looking for snowy inspiration. But since I still had DIYs on the brain, I had ulterior motives of finding project inspiration for last minute holiday DIYs as well.
Surprisingly, after very littleย search time, I came up with an idea for today’s how to project, which is one part DIY head crown and one part DIY door wreath”ยฆย
The process: Using Bing’sย Smart Search ย for snowy inspiration, I found an image of holly berries that felt very Christmas-y to me (red and green pretty much do the trick). So Iย looked up winter holly berries and quickly found relevant info from web sites that I love (like Etsy, Pinterest, and DIY sites) along with lots and lots of photos.
If you haven’t used it yet,ย Smart Search ย brings in relevant content not just from the web, but also your device, apps, and the cloud, all in one search. Which is super helpful when you need to find something quickly.ย I am almost embarrassed to admit how much time I have spent in the past researching materials/ projects and searching for images.
After gathering my inspiration, and seeing a couple of wreaths that incorporated boxwoods and berries, I grabbed the closest thing to holly berries that I could find (cranberries), and put them to work for today’s DIY. I wanted something super minimal. So I skipped the greenery and played around with materials until I got the design down.
Ready to make your own cranberry crown + wreath? Here’s how…
Materials:
- one bag of cranberries (the best cranberries to use for this are hard – not gushy)
- wire (you want something that’s bendable but sturdy)
- wire cutters
- ribbon
How-To:
- Start by measuring and cutting a piece of wire. I just wrapped the wire around my head and added 4 additional inches to that measurement before cutting. You’ll need the extra inches for securing the ends later.
- Then, start poking cranberries through the wire on one end, and moving them down as you go.
- Continue this process until the majority of your wire is covered (you want to leave about 2 extra inches on each end without cranberries on it for the next step).
- Next, twist the ends of the wire together several times to secure it. Cut off the excess wire that sticks out.
- Add a ribbon and you are done.
Use the finished piece as a head crown, for a holiday party / Christmas dinner OR hang it on the wall (or your front door) as a festively minimal holiday wreath. And be sure to make a couple of small ones too, for good measure. Everything is always better in mini form anyway, right?
I swear, ANYONE can make one of these, even if you don’t have a crafty bone in your body. The hardest part is deciding whether you want to use it as a wreath or a head crown. Decisions, decisions.
So just for fun, if you could only pick one, which would it be? The wreath…
OR the crown”ยฆ
Either way, if this doesn’t put you in the mood for the holidays, I don’t know what will. It’s like your stringing cranberry garlands for the Christmas tree, only this time, you’re the tree.
Photography by Sarah Eddyย // Concept and styling by Brittni Mehlhoff
I’m required to disclose a sponsored partnership between our site and Bing. I have been compensated in exchange for this post in the form of payment, product or experiences.
17 comments | Click here to reply
[…] รขโขยฅ Cranberry Crowns and Wreaths […]
Off the Record: Trees, Trimmings and Treats | Bespoke-Bride: Wedding BlogThanks Lexy! You should definitely make some. They are so easy. And I bet Vita would look really cute in one too, for a few photos (if supervised). ๐
papernstitchI love flower crowns, and this is just so perfect for the winter months. Beautiful and simple.
StaciaBrit, this is seriously darling. I feel like I need to make one for all of my nieces when we visit them next week!
Lexy | The Proper Pinwheel[…] What a beautiful way to use cranberries. via Paper & Stitch. […]
Christmas Gift Guides – Christmas DIY – Christmas Lights | Small for BigAw, thanks Marlene. Appreciate it. ๐
papernstitchOooo, so pretty! I saw some of the photos making the rounds on Pinterest today and was wondering whose it was–I should have known! Loving the mini one too. ๐
MarleneThanks Jessica! Hope you have a happy holiday!
papernstitchSO CUTE!! I love the pop of red and cranberries are so much fun for a crown! A great and creative step away from the floral and leaves ๐ Thanks for the DIY, I think it would be lovely for Christmas day!
Jessica (Coco/Mingo)You should! They’re so easy to make.
papernstitchThis is so great! I want to make one right now. Thanks for sharing.
Filizx
Yes! You shouldรขโฌยฆ I actually had a bracelet in mind when I made the mini wreath but it was too small for my wrist, so wreath it is! ๐
papernstitchLook at you, so festive! Cranberries are so gorgeous, I kind of want to make a cranberry bracelet with this method, too!
Kelly @ Studio DIYThanks Chels. ๐
papernstitchI love these photos, Brit! The colors are so perfect.
Chelsea C.Hi Jenna. I bought mine from the store and just picked through the bag for the firm ones. There were quite a few.
papernstitchOh this is so lovely! I don’t know where I can get hard cranberries from though ๐
JennaJenna x
www.jennafifi.co.uk