DIY: Silver Holly Garland

DIY instructions on how to make a Silver Holly Garland

What you'll need:

• Thick foil paper found at craft stores (or heavy gauge foil)

• Scissors

• Pencil

• Silver wire in 22 gauge

• Hot glue gun

• Wire cutters

Step 1)

Flatten out the foil paper and draw a holly leaf on one side -- I usually put 3-4 points on each side of the leaf. This will be the leaf you use to trace out the other leaves. With your scissors, cut out this leaf.

Step 2)

Using your newly cut leaf, trace holly leaves all around the rest of the foil paper. Cut out those leaves as well. You will have nice silhouettes of holly leaves.

Step 3)

Using a pencil, draw the main leaf vein -- a line starting at the leaf's stem and ending at the leaf's uppermost point. Then draw tributary veins from the main vein to the remaining points on the leaf.

Step 4)

Once the veins have been drawn, pick up the leaf and barely bend it along the main vein line. This will give the leaf dimension and a more realistic look.

Step 5)

When you are finished making all the leaves, take the wire and uncoil it so it is as straight as possible, laying it down on a flat surface. With a hot glue gun, glue each leaf lengthwise to the wire, putting a small dot of hot glue in the middle of the leaf. Glue them in the same direction, as if they are all on a one-way street. Overlap them a little so as to cover as much wire as possible. Continue until you have used all the leaves.

Step 6)

Using the wire cutters, cut the two ends of wire off the garland so there is no wire showing.

Step 7)

Swag on your Christmas tree, mantle, or any area of your home where you'd like to bring holiday cheer. You will easily be able to bend the wire to create the swag you want. Voila!

Looking for other great holiday and Christmas craft ideas? See my Pinecones for the Holidays and my Star Garland for the Holidays.

Happy Decorating!

XOXO,