How We Make a Dried Flower Wreath from Start to Finish

The Harvest Dried Wreath is one of the more involved pieces we make. It takes five days because several of the materials need time to set before the wreath can be handled without damage. This is a walkthrough of the process, partly so customers know what they are getting, and partly because it is a piece that home crafters sometimes want to try themselves.

The grapevine base ¶

We source the grapevine bases from a local supplier who makes them by hand from harvested vine cuttings. The bases vary slightly in shape and diameter, which is part of what makes each wreath different. We use a 14-inch base for the Harvest Wreath, which is large enough to be a proper statement piece on a door or wall but not so large that it overwhelms a standard interior door.

Before we start adding material, we check the base for any loose ends or weak spots and reinforce them with florist wire. This is a step that is easy to skip and easy to regret later when a section pulls away from the wall.

Preparing the dried material ¶

The strawflower, lunaria, and eucalyptus are prepared in advance and stored in the studio. The dried orange slices take the longest: we cut navel oranges to about 4mm thickness and dry them in a low oven at around 80 degrees Celsius for three to four hours, turning once. They need another day of air-drying after that before they are stable enough to use. Rushing this step produces slices that look good initially but go mouldy within a few weeks.

Building the wreath ¶

We work in sections, attaching material with florist wire and a small amount of floral adhesive for anything that needs extra security. The eucalyptus goes in first as a base layer, then the strawflower clusters, then the lunaria for lightness and movement, and finally the orange slices, which are the most fragile element and go in last.

The wreath sits flat for 24 hours after assembly before we consider it finished. Some of the adhesive needs time to cure fully, and the piece settles slightly as it does. We check it the following morning and add any final stems before wrapping for pickup or delivery.

If you want to try making one at home, start with a simpler base and fewer materials. The grapevine and strawflower combination alone is a strong starting point before you add the more delicate elements.