Apple Branch Wreath with Twig Shelf

Last fall I fell in L.O.V.E. with this branch and apple wreath from Karin at Your Cozy Home.  I knew it was something I wanted in my home for fall.  Yes, that’s a catch on words because Hometalk is hosting a Home for Fall Blog Hop which has inspired a whole bunch of diy bloggers, including myself to discover our own “home for fall”.

What stole my heart with the wreath from Your Cozy Home was the use of real apples nestled into the wreath as if it were a basket, a nook, or a “shelf” of produce plucked right from the fall harvest and placed gently into a home decor project.

Here is my rendering of real apples-on a branch wreath-on a twig shelf:  

Instead of loosening a grapevine wreath, I made my wreath with a diy twig shelf.  The challenge being that I don’t want to have to glue or wire-attach the apples because that would ruin them for eating if one was so inclined?

Supplies used to make a real apple branch wreath

Branch wreath /aka: Grapevine wreath (I found mine at the thrift store)

Twigs or mulch pieces at 4″ – 6″ pieces

(Can also use wood shims, Popsicle sticks, bamboo skewers)

Several longer twigs for back side of wreath

Hot glue (Or alternately use E6000)

Chalk

Apples

 

To make the twig shelf or basket

• Give twigs or mulch a vinegar wash and let dry (or bake them with this method)
• Decide how you want to lay out your fruit and mark with a piece of chalk
• Apply glue to 1/3rd of the stick and then insert into the wreath at a 45 degree angle downward.

• Start about 3 per apple to create a “fork effect” if you will.

• Hang wreath and test to see if placement is good and if fruit seems secure

• I found that adding more twigs by wedging them together, once I was sure they were in the right place, made the shelf more sturdy.  So, most likely one would want to insert more twigs, mulch or sticks up against the first 3 pieces, but the general idea is to create a pocket, basket or shelf that will hold your fruit without falling.
• Lastly, glue several longer twigs to the backside to create more of a pocket for the apples.

The longer the twigs, the better because it makes a bigger pocket.  Trim twigs afterwards if they still seem too long.  Once again, the 45 degree angle is the key to fight gravity.

This look is rustic enough, with apples, grass and bits of hay. 

Makes me think of my sister’s horse barn.

Hot glue can be messy, so adding hay, raffia, or other types of fall garland to hide the glue is recommended.

Alternately, a stronger glue such as E6000 can be used.  This glue is much less messy, but has a longer drying time.

I took this project a step further by writing the word “HARVEST” like I did for my fall sayings on apples with edible marker.

In the end, I toned down the garland for a simpler look

Once the twig shelf is in place on the branch wreath, the wreath could be changed out for other holidays.

I’ve already got my thinking cap on for that one;)     

In the meantime, please check out all the amazing fall inspiration  below, to help you discover your HOME FOR FALL.