The holidays are upon us and it’s time to trim the tree, hang the lights, and adorn your front door with a welcoming wreath. Why not skip the traditional wreath this year and try something new? In this blog, we will show you how to create a custom “wreath” using a picture frame, ornaments, and greenery commonly found at the Charlotte Region ReStores. This project has a low degree of difficulty and is budget friendly – we spent less than $15 on our creation! 

Here at the Charlotte Region ReStore, we’re always looking for new ways to repurpose items that we carry year-round. One of those items is picture frames; they are plentiful and inexpensive at our 7 stores, and we like to find new ways to use them – remember when we transformed a couple into an earring holder and chalkboard? Incidentally, all of these projects would make great gifts!

Ready to get started? 

Let’s get started!

• Grab your existing frame and remove the glass. Depending on how your glass is fastened, you will need to use pliers or a screwdriver to remove the clips or staples from the back. Use your gloves for this part, the staples and glass can be very sharp! Remove any loose paper backing or cardboard from the frame. Set the glass aside.
  Pro tip: Save the glass for a future DIY!
• Once everything is removed, thoroughly clean the frame.

Time to paint!

• Using short, sweeping bursts, cover the front and sides of the frame with your primary color. Pay special attention to any decorative carvings within the frame, as these areas can be prone to drips! After painting the frame, use your contrasting color to paint the matte (if you have one).
  Pro tip: Paint on a day with low wind and low humidity to prevent debris from landing in wet paint and allow for quick drying!
• While the frame and matte are drying, create a “layout” of your greenery and ornaments. Decide where you want special items like ornaments, pinecones, or poinsettias to be placed. This will help you stay organized during the glueing process.

Time to assemble!

• First, take a length of twine and tie it in a loop around the top of the frame. This will serve as your hanger.
• Next, turn over your matte and attach black paper or poster board to back with tape. Just be sure your black paper is trimmed ½” shorter than the length and width of your matte. 
• Next, flip over your frame and put a dab of glue in each corner. Quickly place your matte, face down, into frame and press into corners for a tight fit. Once dry, turn over your frame to reveal the matte – you are ready to start decorating!
• Begin adorning your frame by trimming greenery to fit the length and width of the piece. Use a generous amount of glue and place greenery along the edges of the frame. Once you are happy with your greenery, you can begin placing larger ornaments. We chose a cute gnome, but you could use pinecones, flowers, or other shatterproof ornaments.  
• Finally, using super glue, carefully place your flat ornament or initial on black paper in the center of frame.
  Pro tip: Place ornament without glue first, marking the spot to ensure it’s centered.

Time to hang!

Using the twine loop, hang your new “wreath” on the front door and you will be the envy of the neighborhood! Make a few extra for back or bedroom doors, or give as gifts! This is a fun holiday DIY for the whole family and can be used for years to come!

Feeling full of holiday spirit and ready to give this DIY a whirl?  We would love to see it! Take a snap and share it on our socials, @cltregionrestore with the hashtag #ReStoreWreath2020!