Hummingbird Wreath

$10 - $15 (based on 2017 prices)

Makes one wreath

The Dia de Los Muertos portion of 2017’s haunted house required dozens of wreaths and flowers for an intricate funeral scene. To prevent myself from using the same design for each prop, I did variations on the sugar skull motif. For this version, I chose to utilize the bright blues, pinks, reds, and yellows employed in other pieces and create a happier design with a hummingbird. Sadly, the wreath never made it into the haunt (my mother stole it for her own decorative schemes).

• One twelve-inch grapevine wreath
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Two to three four-foot garlands of fall leaves (roughly thirty-six leaves per garland)
• Artificial flowers in multiple colors and sizes (e.g. asters, dahlias, hydrangeas, larkspurs, peonies, roses)
• One decorative hummingbird
• One yard of pink ribbon
  

1. Separate the leaves from the garlands and the stems of the fake flowers. Although you could do this while you glue them to the wreath, I found that performing this step beforehand made the following process much easier. Plus, it gives you a clear idea of exactly how many leaves you have. Depending on how lush a coverage you want, you may need to purchase additional garlands for larger amounts of leaves.

2. Cover a large portion of the wreath in a dense arrangement of greenery. For visual interest, build up layers and vary the color patterns so that leaves with the same hues and shapes are not concentrated in one area.

3. Repeat the method in step two with the artificial flowers. To enhance the appearance of the prop, ensure you create contrast by using different hues and sizes in various positions. You may want to play with the arrangement first before gluing it in place.

4. Glue the hummingbird to the open portion of the wreath. Although I used hot glue, you can utilize superglue for a sturdier hold, especially if you plan to display this item in windy outdoor conditions for an extended period of time.

5. If the wreath did not come with hanging loops, you can fashion one with ribbon. Cut a fifteen-inch section in a chosen hue that matches your color scheme and glue it to the back of the prop.