How to Make a Wreath From Chicken Wire and Feathers

This easy-to-make wreath took little time and money. Salvaged chicken wire was used to create petals around the wreath. Then we dressed the wreath with feathers and birds, but you can dress it with almost anything.

Materials and Tools:

wire cutters
heavy-duty stapler
hot glue gun
hammer
salvaged chicken wire
flat wooden wreath form (12- or 6-inch)
feathers
craft chickens
white spray paint
22-gauge floral wire

Paint the Ring

Spray-paint the wooden ring and let it dry.

Cut the Wire Into Strips

Cut chicken wire into wide strips using wire cutters. Make the strips long enough — about 12 to 14 inches — so you can bend them into big U-shaped petals.

Twist And Loop

Twist the strips to be almost like a ribbon.

Attach Loops to Ring

Staple the strips in petal shapes all the way around wooden wreath form. If necessary, use a hammer to secure the staples.

Add Wire Backing

Around the inside of the wreath, on top of the underside of the petals, lay a twisted ribbon of chicken wire and attach to the wooden form with staples. Secure with a hammer.

Paint the Wreath

Spray-paint the whole wreath.

Feather It

Insert feathers into the chicken wire. You can glue them down to make sure they're secure.

Add Chicks

Place chickens around the bottom and secure with floral wire.

Joanne Palmisano is the author of Salvage Secrets (W.W. Norton, September 2011). Visit her blog, also called Salvage Secrets.