Sunday, November 21, 2010

Lima Bean Wreath


I have always had a strange aversion to wreaths.  I’ve avoided the round lovelies for most of my adult life, normally finding them to be 'a little bit country' for my 'a little bit rock-n-roll' taste. But, late one night while surfing the blogosphere, my wreath ill-will was challenged.  All Things Thrifty was featuring the most amazing and economical wreath made from simple Lima beans and Styrofoam! LOVE.



I made the decision to climb back on the wreath train and take a ride.  $5.99 for the foam ring, $1.39 for the baby Lima beans, and I was on my way.  One certainly cannot argue with the investment! I should have used a 40% off coupon for the wreath at JoAnn's and it would have been even less!  Note to self:  Keep all coupons in my handbag and at the ready!  I can't count how many times I've been out and purchased something I could have gotten almost half off had I been planning ahead.


This project was very easy, anyone old enough to manage a glue gun could attack it with ease.  My only warning would be the amount of time spent gluing!  The first wreath was an investment of about six hours.  I used a diagonal method for placement, and it did get crooked in certain areas, but once complete it looked great.  Crooked is 'artisan' right?


The foam in between the beans is somewhat visible, so I decided to lay on a coat of Krylon Ivory Gloss to even out the color.  Be sure to remove any leftover hot glue strings prior to spray-painting, as they become VERY noticeable once the paint dries.  Small imperfection, definitely not  enough to justify another six hour stint with the glue gun.  I used to coats of paint, but one would have been sufficient.


I've seen versions of this wreath made with nuts, kidney beans, marbles, etc.  I think any hot glue-friendly medium would work nicely!  I love how sleek and modern the Lima beans turned out, one could easily change paint color and/or ribbon color to fit the season.

Now for the bad news, I had to make a second wreath!  Unfortunately, I have double doors, one wasn't going to cut it.  For this wreath, my approach involved a bottle of Oregon Pinot Noir, which seemed to speed up the process by at least two hours.  I think the less perfectionistic on this project, the better.



Two wreaths, ten hours of gluing...but time well spent.  I found some cute chocolate-colored grosgrain ribbon that I thought would blend nicely with my front door beautification efforts, and voila!  Done and done.  I think wired ribbon might work better, I'll probably change it out after Thanksgiving and see how that looks.

16 comments:

NotMrs.Jones said...

Hi I am your newest follower. Love these kind of projects. Thanks for posting the how to.

Roeshel said...

I love everything about your doors. The color is perfect and the lima bean wreaths are awesome! Great job! Thanks so much for sharing in the DIY Project Parade!

jerriann said...

I have to say that I love your doors too. The lima bean wreaths a fun and I like they way they look, but your doors, they are spectacular! I love the texture and the color. Are they metal?

Tragic Sensation said...

Jerriann, thanks so much. The doors are actually wood.....I love the green too, I'm totally on a chartreuse binge right now!

LP aka A Crafty Southern Chick said...

I love this! Thanks for posting the tutorial. Your doors are spectacular, and that last picture reminds me of Pottery Barn catalogs :) Love it!!!

Preppy Pink Crocodile said...

I LOVE this- great job!

Titti @ Shoestring Pavilion said...

Haha, crooked is most definitely artisan! I use the same reasoning with all the stuff I make :)
I've been meaning to do a bean wreath too but haven't gotten around to it yet, I guess I'll have to get my act together one of these days. Love your take on it, great job!

Unknown said...

Love that wreath! Looks perfect on your green doors.

Simone @ Doberman's by the Sea said...

Love it-the wreath looks expensive! The Bavarian Christmas linky party is now open-won’t you come and join us at http://dobermans-by-the-sea.blogspot.com/2010/11/1st-christmas-linky-party-at-dobermans.html and while you are there join the give-a-ways going on.

Barbara Pilcher said...

Love your wreath. I want one. Hmm..six hours, eh? I'm going out tomorrow to find the largest lima beans I can.

GINNA said...

I was just reading Brooke's post about your wreath & door at All Things Thrifty and had to check out your blog. I love the wreath and I also love your door! My hubby and I are thinking of replacing our door with the one you have. I was thinking about painting it a chartreuse green like yours. It looks great and now I know that I will have to do same.

Anonymous said...

your doors are fantastic! Love them!

ohasparkel.com

RedBettySummer said...

Well done. I especially love the method of making the second wreath- Pino Noir style. Sounds like my kind of crafting. Just the same, the effect is rather stunning and they will look fantastic for many years. You can change the ribbon or even add a few berries, carefully pinned in various spots, just to change the look. Thanks for sharing.

LP aka A Crafty Southern Chick said...

I blogged about my interpretation of this awesome wreath I made as a gift...if you'd like to see: http://beadsbuttonsbubbles.blogspot.com/2011/01/inspiration-from-tutorial.html

kaka said...

Love your wreath. I want one. Hmm..six hours, eh? I'm going out tomorrow to find the largest lima beans I can.Sightline Payments Kirk Sanfordjudi bolatangkas

AMS said...

How to avoid those pesky hot glue strings... Dab a bit of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on the tip of your glue gun BEFORE plugging it in. Voilà - no strings attached!

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