The Penny Parlor

Dollar Store Christmas Ball Wreath

11/28/2011

I'm sure many of you have seen these wreaths on Pinterest. One video tutorial said it cost $35-$40 to make this project. It makes sense since you will need around 80-90 Christmas ball ornaments to complete it (I used 82 to be exact). For a cost effective way to craft, take the route I did and get your ornaments at the dollar store! The finished product will not look like a dollar store discount, trust me.

*** I took these photos with my cell phone, please excuse the quality. The wreath looks even better in person***

Dollar Store Supplies:

28 large ball ornaments (4 tubes)
24 medium ball ornaments (2 tubes)
30 small ball ornaments (2 tubes)
1 strand of tinsel

Other Supplies:

1 wire hanger
Glue gun
Ribbon

This project cost me $9.00 since I had the "other supplies" and took around a half hour to complete.

Step 1:

Take a wire hanger and bend it into a circle (doesn't have to be perfect). Then unravel hook at the top.

Step 2:

Put a piece of tape at the hook end to keep ornaments from sliding. Then start adding a bead of glue around ornament tops to keep them from popping off.

Step 3:

Begin sliding ornaments on wire hanger. I noticed it looks better to try and follow a pattern. I didn't follow a pattern with color since my ornaments didn't differ greatly in color.

Step 4:

When you have the whole wire full, put back into circle and make a hook to secure ends.

Step 5:

Stuff any gaps with the tinsel and hang with ribbon. Tip: I did not hang it from the top where the hook was because it tended to sag into an oval. I kept the hook part on the side.

Finished Product

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Posted In Decor/Accents, Holiday, Tools of the Trade | 4 comments | edit

Foam Tubing Wreath Form Frustrations

11/13/2011

Remember this little wreath tutorial? A fellow crafter commented, "Hi!! Don't know if you know but your little tip about using the foam tubing is all over pinterest! Thanks!!" First thought, yay! I'm glad people are taking advantage of some $$ saving. BUT many are having frustrations with creating a nice, neat circle. I wish to address these issues as best I can.

To those of you who have attempted this and failed, I'm sorry the tip caused frustration. It was the first wreath I ever made using a "form". I saw the foam tubing and gave it a try. Oddly enough, it worked great the first try with no "ovaling", buckling or bending. I didn't add anything to stabilize it, just duct tape to secure the ends together. When I posted the tip, I thought it would work the same for everyone. Not the case!

I'm guessing this foam tubing will only suite wreaths that are smaller in diameter and have "chunky" decor, like the coffee filters. My tubing wreath form was about 8-9" in diameter. The finished product was around 16" in diameter after the coffee filters were added. It's been indoors (not sure foam would do well outdoors) and has held up great since I did it a year ago. If you wish to do a wreath wrapped in yarn, this tip is not for you. That type of wreath will definitely require a more sturdy form, as some crafters are, unfortunately, finding out the hard way.

Another issue is diameter of the tubing itself. Mine was 1" in diameter. One reader posted,

"I think the issue with not being able to get the pipe insulation round has to do with the diameter of the insulation used. At least that's the issue I had. At first I used 3/4 inch diameter tubing and it was bulging and wouldn't get very round. Then I got 1/2 inch diameter tubing and it bends into a beautiful circle without any issues. Hope this helps some others!"

After messing around with it to solve this problem, I have found if you give the tubing a twist while it is straight, then form the circle keeping the twist in tact, it creates a more taut form that will keep a circle better.

I hope this information helps. I have used the tubing successfully and it can be a cost effective solution for some, not all, types of wreaths.

Below is a list of bloggers who have made foam tubing wreaths. Check them out for pictures, tips or tricks.

Check out this tip from Gail Made: How To Avoid Pipe Insulation Wreath Kink!

Visit I Heart Nap Time to see how Jamielyn used the foam piping: Gorgeous Moss Wreath

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Posted In Decor/Accents, Tools of the Trade | 5 comments | edit

For the Shoe Lovers: Create a Look for Less

11/07/2011

My friend, Carrie, and I were shopping at Nordstrom over the weekend. Nordstrom has an AMAZING shoes department with oodles of little gems, such as Vince Camuto 'Crane' Pumps, with a pretty price tag of $149.95 a pair.

Cute: Yes. Worth paying $150: No. We left Nordstrom inspired to re-create this look for less. Here's what we came up with...

The 'Amanda' Pump

The 'Carrie' Pump

How did we do it?? A pair of Target pumps + rhinestones & feathers from Michael's Arts & Crafts = Shoe la la, a one of a kind fabulous shoe!!

We ended up spending $4.19 on the rhinestones and $1.99 on a bag of feathers. One pack of rhinestones will be more than enough to do two shoes. I cut each sheet in half so I had an even amount of each size for each shoe. Mighty-Mend-It or super glue will work to adhere the "flair" (I think we used both).

We found the suede shoes at Target for $29.99 and they came in an array of colors. Payless also had inexpensive options:

Attention teens!! You could easily use this idea to create fun prom shoes at a price mom can appreciate. Or, why not add little sparkle to your holiday, office or New Year's Eve party shoes? Kiddie shoes would also be a good application. When baby starts wearing shoes, I'll be sure to add a little bling to hers too :)