How to make a Christmas Teasel Wreath and Mantle display.

Last November I caught a bad cold and had to take time off work. I’m not very good at doing nothing, so during that time I got my craft on and made things for my home for Christmas. I didn’t, however, find the time to put it all down on paper and write a blog post about it all. I made quite a lot though, so I’ve split it into two blog posts. We had no idea what was about to happen to our world back then. Hopefully, making this lovely Christmas wreath and mantle display might keep you going during the second lockdown.

Teasel Christmas Wreath

I was leafing through Homes and Gardens magazine when I stumbled upon a stunning image of a teasel wreath with a baby blue ribbon. I knew there and then that I had to make my version of it. We lived pretty much in the middle of a forest at the time and I knew that in the clearings there would be teasels. Car keys in hand, I scurried out in search of the prickly cuties before some other Instagrammer got there first!

Armed with a sharp pair of secateurs and a few black bin bags, I collected as many as I could. I also brought home lots of dried fern leaves, which I knew would look great on the periphery of the display.

I already had a rattan grapevine wreath base that I had bought from a florist supply shop. I spent quite a bit of time trimming the stems of each teasel to the right size. Then, I started attaching them to the wreath base, either by poking them through the rattan or using florists wire to tie them on.

If your wreath doesn’t have a wire hanging loop already attached to the back of it, then make one using the florist’s wire and attach it. Take an existing hung piece of art off of a wall in your home and use the hook to temporarily hang your wreath. I found this much easier to attach the teasels. This isn’t usual practice when making a wreath, but the teasels are very sharp and prickly and I’m a wuss!

Now, it’s just a case of adding as many teasels as you have, or as you see fit. Keep stepping back to survey the shape. I added one or two that were longer than the rest and placed them off balance in order to add a little interest. Once all the teasels were added I then dotted around some frosted faux foliage. I finished the look by using Christmas frosted spray, not spray snow, that’s too thick. Most good garden centres or craft shops at Christmas will sell frosting spray.

Teasel Christmas mantle display

The teasel Christmas mantle display is pretty easy to make. You will, however, need to go and buy a 90cm long mantle oasis and tray. They are often called floral foam table deco maxi. I think mine cost about £18, but I know you can get them much cheaper online. Usually, you would soak the oasis in water, but as the teasels are dried you don’t need to do this. The oasis just acts as the perfect base to sculpt your display. Simply poke teasel stems in wherever you see fit.

Do be careful of balance though. I’m quite a stickler for symmetry in a mantle display, but do whatever floats your boat. Make sure that you hide any signs of the oasis tray and oasis itself for a more professional look. The dried forest fern leaves were very useful for hiding the tray base and adding interest and texture. Again, I added frosted faux foliage and sprayed with frosting spray. Be certain to place your display on newspaper before spraying!

Hope you have fun making these. I’ll be back with more Christmas crafts soon!

Other Christmas posts from jpslifeandloves.com:

My Best Christmas Gift Guide

Prepare and freeze ahead for Christmas