This northern woods style wreath was made by wrapping the tips of the fences in a circle, then adorning them with evergreen garlands and pine cones.
chop saw
punch out
1-3/4 to 2-inch (18 to 20) galvanized wood screws
glue gun
phillips screwdriver
wire cutters
salvaged picket fence pieces (36 to 38)
large wooden wreath shape
Perennial garland with pineapples.
Additional pineapples (10 to 12)
22 gauge floral wire
wood glue
Clean and cut picket fence pieces to assorted lengths. (We use the top 6 to 8 inches of the pickets.)
Determine how you want to lay out your pattern. It is better to put the largest pieces in the back.
Paste the back/bottom layer first. Place something heavy on top to help the glue stick. Let dry overnight, then do your next coat. Again, place something heavy on top while the glue sets. Let dry overnight. The wood glue is just to help the pickets stay in place as you screw them into the ring (glue alone won't hold the wreath together).
Drive the screws in so that it touches the top and bottom of the picket fence and the wooden ring below. Some pickets can split a bit, so be careful. You may have to do two screws per piece. Do not countersink the screws; Leave the head sticking out a bit at the top; you will use them to join the evergreen pieces together. (Make sure the screw doesn't protrude from the back; it will scratch the door or wall.)
Gather the evergreen garland (plastic), floral wire, and wire cutters, and begin wrapping the garland around the inside of the wreath, attaching it to the screw heads. Use floral wire where needed to attach the garland and cones.
Wire or glue on additional pinecones.
Joanne Palmisano is the author of Salvage Secrets (W.W. Norton, September 2011). Visit her blog, also called Salvage Secrets. .
