Snowy Owl Holiday Wreath

To make this wreath you need:

• basic store-bought evergreen wreath

• sharp scissors or pruners to cut branches

• wire cutters

• light gage florist's wire

• 3 eye screws 3/4" in length

• two types of faux snowy branches

• 3 snowy owls (mine came from Loblaw grocery store and were about $6 each)

• snowflake ribbon with wired edge (craft store)

• small blue & silver jingle bells

• 3 large silver jingle bells

• floral pics

Before you start, turn your wreath over and create a wreath hanger with a loop of florist's wire (if there isn't a hanger already). 

I also removed the original bow and pinecones from my store-bought evergreen wreath.

Step 1: I used two different faux snowy branches: one pine and one glittery twigs (seen at the top). Take each set of branches and cut the stems into several smaller sections. (I made mine 6-10" in length. If you cut them much shorter, they will be too short to work with.)

Step 2: Working in a circle, insert the first type of snowy branches into your wreath and allow them to catch in the mix of evergreens. (Tip: Inserting the branches at a low angle helps them to catch best in the evergreens.) 

Loop a length of florists wire through the wreath to hold each branch in position. Twist the wire at the back of the wreath to keep your branch secure.

Step 3: Again, working in a circle, insert the second type of snowy branches and allow them to catch in the mix of evergreens.

Loop a length of florists wire through the wreath to hold each branch in position. Twist the wire at the back of the wreath to keep your branch secure.

Hang the wreath to make sure the branches are evenly dispersed and you are happy with them before you move further.

Step 4: Make a bow. I chose a blue and silver snowflake ribbon that I felt worked with my theme.

Turn the bow over and run a length of florist's wire through the bow's centre knot.

Poke the ends of the wire through the wreath and twist them into a knot on the wreath's reverse side to fix the bow in place. 

Trim away any excess wire with your wire cutters. 

Step 5: (Depending on what you are able to find, you'll have to adapt your method for attaching the owls. The owls I found had a foam backing.)

Turn your owl over. Insert an eye screw into the foam and thread a piece of florist's wire through the eye. Twist the wire with a circular movement to knot it to the eye. (Note: I started with the small eye screw you see here, but found it did not hold well enough. In the end, I went with a much larger screw that was 3/4" long. I thought the method was clear enough, so I didn't reshoot the picture.)

Place all the owls on the top of your wreath to determine placement. Remove two of the owls once you know approximately where you want them to sit on the wreath. 

Now attach the first owl. Poke the ends of the wire through the wreath and twist a knot on the reverse side to fix the owl in place.

Add back the other two owls, one at a time.

Step 6: Wire smaller blue and silver jingle bells onto flower pics (you can find floral pics at the craft store) and insert the pics into the wreath.

I also used a length of wire to attach a number of larger silver bells directly.

You're done! Just hang up your wreath and enjoy it.

Happy holidays!