We've taken our original member-loved holiday wreath project and recreated in a size perfect for every home's interior.
We hope it lights up your holiday season (and home!) like it does ours.
Construct a “compass”. From one of the 1x2 boards cut a 16” section. Drill one hole big enough for a screw 1” from one end. This will be your center axis. Then drill holes 4”, 5”, 9” and 12” from the center axis hole large enough to insert a pencil.
Find the exact center of the 2’x2’ 1/2” piece of plywood. Attach the compass to the center of the plywood by driving a screw through the center axis hole. Leave the screw loose enough so your compass swivels. Insert a pencil into the 12” hole and draw your outside circle. Then do the same in the 4” hole to draw your inner circle. Remove the compass and attach it to the center of the 2’x2’ 1/4” plywood and use the other two holes to mark your outside and inside circles.
Using a jigsaw cut out the two rings, then sand rough edges.
Using a drill create the decorative hole pattern in the 1/4” plywood ring. We used 1/2”, 3/16” drill bits. You will need to use a sacrificial piece of scrap wood underneath the ring to prevent extensive splintering on the back. This will also protect your benchtop surface. Sand rough edges.
Using a miter saw cut the 1/2” dowels into 16 two inch pieces. Place the dowels evenly and 1/2” from the edge of the inner circle. Attach the dowels to the 1/4” plywood circle. This can be done with a stapler or a drill and screws. If using screws, drill pilot holes before driving screws.
Place the 1/4” plywood ring onto the 1/2” plywood ring. Be sure the two rings are centered with each other. Using a pencil, trace around each dowel. Place reference marks on one of the dowels and the 1/2” ring to make it easier to replace the 1/4” ring later. Remove the 1/4” ring, then mark the center of each circle. Using a 3/16” bit, drill through each mark to create pilot holes. Prime and paint each ring to your preference. Remember to transfer the dowel reference marks between coats.
Using a miter saw, cut the 1x2 boards into 10” lengths. Place them evenly onto the back of the 1/2 plywood avoiding the pilot holes drilled earlier. Attach using a stapler using 1” staples.
Place the 1/4” plywood ring onto the 1/2” ply- wood ring. Use the reference marks to place in the same position as before. With a helper, flip the rings over keeping the 1/4” ring in place.
Using a 1/8” bit, drill pilot holes into the dow- els through the pilot holes in the 1/2” ring. Using 1.5” screws, attach the 1/2” ring to the 1/4” ring.
Cut chicken wire to a slightly smaller dimen- sion as the 1/2” plywood. Using a stapler, attach chicken wire, leaving outside edge open to insert branches.
Wind light strands around dowels.
Insert, secure branches
Hang wreath, plug in, enjoy!
We've taken our original member-loved holiday wreath project and recreated in a size perfect for every home's interior. We hope it lights up your holiday season (and home!) like it does ours.
Construct a “compass”. From one of the 1x2 boards cut a 16” section. Drill one hole big enough for a screw 1” from one end. This will be your center axis. Then drill holes 4”, 5”, 9” and 12” from the center axis hole large enough to insert a pencil.
Find the exact center of the 2’x2’ 1/2” piece of plywood. Attach the compass to the center of the plywood by driving a screw through the center axis hole. Leave the screw loose enough so your compass swivels. Insert a pencil into the 12” hole and draw your outside circle. Then do the same in the 4” hole to draw your inner circle. Remove the compass and attach it to the center of the 2’x2’ 1/4” plywood and use the other two holes to mark your outside and inside circles.
Using a jigsaw cut out the two rings, then sand rough edges.
Using a drill create the decorative hole pattern in the 1/4” plywood ring. We used 1/2”, 3/16” drill bits. You will need to use a sacrificial piece of scrap wood underneath the ring to prevent extensive splintering on the back. This will also protect your benchtop surface. Sand rough edges.
Using a miter saw cut the 1/2” dowels into 16 two inch pieces. Place the dowels evenly and 1/2” from the edge of the inner circle. Attach the dowels to the 1/4” plywood circle. This can be done with a stapler or a drill and screws. If using screws, drill pilot holes before driving screws.
Place the 1/4” plywood ring onto the 1/2” plywood ring. Be sure the two rings are centered with each other. Using a pencil, trace around each dowel. Place reference marks on one of the dowels and the 1/2” ring to make it easier to replace the 1/4” ring later. Remove the 1/4” ring, then mark the center of each circle. Using a 3/16” bit, drill through each mark to create pilot holes. Prime and paint each ring to your preference. Remember to transfer the dowel reference marks between coats.
Using a miter saw, cut the 1x2 boards into 10” lengths. Place them evenly onto the back of the 1/2 plywood avoiding the pilot holes drilled earlier. Attach using a stapler using 1” staples.
Place the 1/4” plywood ring onto the 1/2” ply- wood ring. Use the reference marks to place in the same position as before. With a helper, flip the rings over keeping the 1/4” ring in place.
Using a 1/8” bit, drill pilot holes into the dow- els through the pilot holes in the 1/2” ring. Using 1.5” screws, attach the 1/2” ring to the 1/4” ring.
Cut chicken wire to a slightly smaller dimen- sion as the 1/2” plywood. Using a stapler, attach chicken wire, leaving outside edge open to insert branches.
Wind light strands around dowels.
Insert, secure branches
Hang wreath, plug in, enjoy!
