I bought an 18″ straw wreath form at Joanns recently when they were on sale for $2.49 minus another 25%.  I couldn’t pass it up since the 14″ straw wreath was not on sale and would have cost more.  I’d already bought some wire ribbon and mesh that matched.  I have never used mesh and didn’t know what to expect.  I decided to start my wreath by wrapping the form in a couple of layers of the mesh to make sure you couldn’t see the straw.  Since I’ve never played with mesh, here are my observations.  When I tried to pull it tightly around the form, I could put my fingernail through the mesh and tear it, so I had to be fairly gentle with it.  When I was finished, I decided it looked like a cast you would put on a body part and that look was not for me.  Instead of taking the time to remove it, I just covered it with a layer of burlap ribbon I had in my stash.  I think the burlap looks 100% better than the mesh.  My mesh was green to match the checked pattern in my other burlap inspired wire trimmed ribbon. (Try saying that three times fast!)  I think it was the combination of the shine from the mesh and the green that was off-putting to me.  Regardless, I’ve decided I’m not a mesh girl.

I cut my checked ribbon into 15″ long pieces and had a thinner blue burlap (also wire trimmed) that I cut into 6-7″ lengths.  I turned the checked ribbon into what looked like huge bows by pinching the centers and using greening pins to attach them.  I’ve seen a live demonstration of a straw wreath being made and every once in a while, it seemed like they had a problem getting the greening pin into the straw through the plastic.  I never had that issue and was really surprised at how easily I could insert them (although after placing about fifty of them, my wrist and elbow are really hurting.)    The smaller ribbon I used as accents and pinched the centers and inserted them for pops of color.  I had a mesh glittery gold ribbon in my stash (also wire trimmed) that I made loops with and it added a little bit of elegance to the wreath.  All in all, for my first attempt at straw wreath making, I’m pretty pleased with the end result.  I think the wire trim on the ribbon is the key to making a nice looking wreath and hope you think the end result looks as good as I think it does.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder or maybe it should be “to each his own.”  I’m not sure,  but I think every person has a different idea of beauty so the wreath might not appeal to you.  Either way, the video should be up in a week or so (I’m not sure because of the amount of videos Rich has ahead of it.)  Let me know in the comments what you think.  I always appreciate honest feedback, or at least I pretend.

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