Caits Creates: Anthropology Inspired Wreath

It's a {FEATURE FRIDAY} here at CaitsCreates

This week I am featuring my very crafty and fun friend, Lacey!

Lacey recently started her own business called "Scotties Bowtique" that specializing in making CUTE and ADORABLE custom children's bows! On top of running her own business, she also works full-time; I am certain this is the ONLY reason Lacey doesn't have a crafting blog for herself!

Here is Lacey's story on how she made this adorable anthropology inspired wreath!

I have recently become obsessed with craft blogs and the beloved Google Reader. One day while scrolling through my subscriptions I came across a blog by Two Junk Chix about the anthropology inspired wreath. I knew I wanted to make one for the empty space about our front doors, so I set off on my adventure to find the largest straw wreath possible. After searching a number of stores I gave up and brought the largest stick wreath I could find, knowing that I was planning to wrap burlap around the wreath.

I finally purchased the burlap from JoAnns (using a 40% off coupon of course). Then I wrapped the burlap around the wreath by placing hot glue directly on the wreath and then laying down the burlap. It stuck better than I thought it would and even laid down nicely. (Sorry no photo for this process).

I put off buying the burlap for a while, so in the meantime I had been collecting supplies. I used a number of different items:

Scrapbook paper
White coffee filters
Natural coffee filters
White cupcake wrappers in regular and mini sizes
Lace
Buttons
Decorative Pearls
Old Books
Fabric Scraps
Old Clothing
Silk Flowers

I start prepping all of my supplies by using a compass to draw out different size circles from fabric scraps, scrapbook paper, books and clothing (I even stripped off the lace on my shirt).

I found the book "The Little Bear" at GoodWill for $.70 and noticed that the photos in the book were exactly what I was looking for to add some color to my wreath. I ripped out the pages from the book and cut the photos into the circle sizes I wanted. Once I had them the right size I burnt the edges to achieve a distressed look.

Next, I crumpled up white coffee filters and natural coffee filters to get the "flowery" look started. The white coffee filters were very easy to work with. You simply wad it in a ball and then open it up. With the natural coffee filters I had to get a little more creative, because all I could find were cone shaped filters.

To work with these I took one filter and wadded it up into a ball.

Next, I unfolded it and flipped it inside out to get the effect I wanted

I placed the white and natural filters around the wreath to achieve the design I was looking for and then I began to build my flowers. I took all of my materials and layered them to achieve the desired look of the flowers.

Then I hot glued each piece of the flower together and eventually glued the flowers where I wanted them placed on the wreath.

Once I had all the flowers glued down I began accessorizing them by adding pearls, buttons, lace, etc. to the inside of the flower. When I had placed something in every flower I knew I was finished.

Then I hung my new wreath in its rightful home. I LOVE IT!