I finally did it!

After coveting (really coveting and I know it is a sin) Eddie Ross' vintage ornament wreath for a few years, I finally made my own.  Seriously, I had this photo in my files for years and I would look at it all year long.  I just loved it.  Making the wreath was pretty easy but gathering the materials was not.  As soon as I saw this wreath in 2008, I began looking in antique stores (after Christmas) and on-line for just the right vintage balls.  In fact, that is how I ended up with my vintage silver tree last year.  So after finally buying enough balls on e-bay and in shops, I made my wreath.  And I love it!

My dining room table looked like this for a few weeks as the boxes came in and I decided which ornaments to use and which to keep for other things. 

I got so excited over each old ball.  I love their age, patina and imperfections.  I see incredible beauty in each and every one.  I think I was driving Dave crazy showing him each one and imagining their story.    I would look at them, smell them and imagine the homes they have lived in.  I know I am a little whacky, right? Look at them...

Aren't they beautiful?

And here is my wreath....







It was night time and this is in a long hallway so the lighting is not great.  If we get some natural light this week, I'll take more photos because honestly these do not do it justice.


If you want to make this wreath, here are my tips:

Search E-bay and Etsy for vintage shiny bright balls.  They are most available this time of year but bidding can be fierce.  I am not a big e-bayer but I won some auctions by sitting at my computer for the final seconds.  I had good luck on Etsy too.  

Look at estate sales.  That is your best bet for low priced boxes.

Go to antique mall type places that have lots of booths.  Prices are high but you can see what you are getting.  Some of the ones I got on E-bay were not as good once I saw them in person (size or color).

You MUST hot glue the tops of the balls (see Eddie Ross).  Otherwise you will break these very fragile and expensive balls.  I only broke one and that was from dropping it.  I worked on bubble wrap on my table.

Have a second person (a strong husband works well) and some good clamps or pliers to finish the wreath.

Get thick beautiful ribbon.  It makes a difference.

I will show you the rest of our Christmas decor this week.

Happy Monday:)