Keeping With The Times

living, learning, and keeping with the times

  • Home
  • About
  • Site Information
  • Privacy Policy

An explosion of pussy willows!

April 25, 2011 by Barb 23 Comments

Every spring I go out into the countryside and gather pussy willows. I create these wreaths as soon as I get enough gathered and while the branches are fresh and pliable – it’s amazing how durable they are when fresh.

I used to sell these wreaths at craft fairs and one year I had them all sold before I even got into the building! as I carried them in, people in the parking lot snapped them up – it was crazy. However, I don’t sell them anymore, I just give them as gifts to a very few select people!

Pussy Willow Wreath

Pussy Willow Wreath

Pussy Willow Wreath

Pussy Willow Wreath Tutorial

The ‘how to’ is really very simple. Start with a purchased 18″ willow wreath base. It doesn’t have to be the best kind – actually the looser the base the better since all you do is start stuffing the branches into it! There is no glue or wire involved – the pussy willows themselves hold the wreath together if you stuff in enough. I have never had one fall apart and when I’m tired of it I always end up pulling the branches out and it isn’t easy.

Start by inserting branches from the left and from the right to form the beginning of a spray at the bottom.

Pussy Willow Wreath

Continue to add branches to the spray, building up the middle.

Pussy Willow Wreath

Pussy Willow Wreath

Add the rest of the branches from the bottom up towards the top until they meet at the top.

Pussy Willow Wreath

I went over the top with my wreath and crammed in branches until I couldn’t cram in any more – why not! it’s over the top, but fun!

I would caution you, however, to start smaller and that you periodically hang it where you are going to put it to make sure it fits – it’s better not to have to trim it after the fact since it removes the wild looking branch ends.

And lastly, it’s wonderful while fresh but if you hang it where it isn’t going to be bumped it will practically last forever.

Filed Under: DIY AND CRAFTS, HOME DECOR Tagged With: pussy willow, spring, wreath

Comments

  1. Vanessa says

    April 25, 2011 at 2:48 pm

    These are so pretty..I can see why people would be snapping them up before you got to the craft fair!

    I have no pussy willows around here..but if I did i would soooo be making these!

    TFS :)

    Reply
  2. Craftberry Bush says

    April 25, 2011 at 3:10 pm

    Very pretty and your photography is beautiful as well,
    Visiting from A pretty life in the suburbs, I now
    See that talent runs in your family. Xoxo
    Lucy

    Reply
  3. Claire says

    April 25, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    really like the design of your blog and love your pictures…..

    Reply
  4. CareyCottage says

    April 25, 2011 at 11:10 pm

    SUPER CUTE!!!! Pussy Willow just screams SPRING!!! Visiting from CareyCottage.Blogspot.Com

    Reply
  5. ArtsyCanvasGirl says

    April 26, 2011 at 12:22 pm

    These are so beautiful! I love the upclose photos of the pussy willows. Very beautiful!

    Reply
  6. alicia says

    April 26, 2011 at 2:05 pm

    That is so cool. I really love the first and fifth photos.

    Reply
  7. Missy says

    April 26, 2011 at 3:58 pm

    That is amazing! And on the red wood? Outstanding! Love the wreath, and love the contrast of colors in the photo. Great job!

    Reply
  8. Jaymi says

    April 26, 2011 at 8:46 pm

    beautiful!

    Reply
  9. Grace @ Sense and Simplicity says

    April 27, 2011 at 1:21 am

    Gorgeous. I put pussy willow branches (well twigs really) in a flat-back basket last year and hung it on my front door, but this year I have done NOTHING! Now it is too late for pussy willow around here, but I’m going to put this on my inspiration page and give it a try next year. Thanks so much for the idea (love the spray you did at the bottom of the wreath) and for the gorgeous photos against the rustic wooden building.

    Reply
  10. Lesa says

    April 27, 2011 at 2:05 pm

    Hello, new to your blog. You have beautiful photos!

    Reply
  11. rebecca says

    April 28, 2011 at 2:25 am

    so beautiful!! :) thanks so much for sharing! rebecca

    Reply
  12. Anika says

    April 28, 2011 at 11:20 am

    So pretty…love your shots too!

    Reply
  13. Idle Wife says

    April 29, 2011 at 3:08 am

    Oh man I’ve been fixated on pussy willows all spring! I think I need to get to a farmer’s market and pick up a bunch asap!

    Reply
  14. Elisabeth says

    April 30, 2011 at 1:42 am

    Love this wreath and your photography is gorgeous! I wish I could find pussywillows around here, I had to buy mine at the store. Ill definitely be making this sometime!

    Reply
  15. Judy says

    May 19, 2011 at 11:28 pm

    That wreath is really beautiful. I wish I had access to pussywillows…I would definitely make one of these. I found you over at Centsational Girl’s party. I am your latest follower. I would love for you to come and check out my blog and follow me back at http://www.diybydesign.blogspot.com. Thanks so much.

    Reply
  16. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    May 21, 2011 at 4:08 pm

    I absolutely love your pussy willow wreath!! So fantastic- I would love to make one of these! Now following along~Stopping by from CG today~ I host a Friday decorating party if you would like to come join sometime- love this!

    Reply
  17. Funky Junk Interiors says

    March 21, 2012 at 6:04 am

    Stunning! I just found this now… wow. I’d love to make one of these!

    Donna

    Reply
  18. Lindsay says

    March 22, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    Beautiful. If only I could figure out a way to become one of the “select few” that receives these as gifts. Lol.

    Reply
  19. Amber's Snippets of Design says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:53 pm

    Barb…I absolutely LOVE your wreaths…they are so beautiful! I definitely want to find some pussy willow and create a wreath like yours. Thank you so much for the tutorial!

    Reply
  20. Lucy Farmer says

    December 31, 2012 at 2:28 am

    This is gorgeous. The photography, the wreath, the barn. I’m dying!

    Reply
  21. Christina at I Gotta Create! says

    January 8, 2013 at 12:17 am

    Oh. My. Goodness. I LOVE pussy willows and you did an amazing job making the wreath and taking those photos!! What a beautiful gift to give…

    <3 Christina @ I Gotta Create!

    Reply
  22. Carrie says

    April 15, 2021 at 12:21 pm

    Happened upon this post in Pinterest and am totally in love with the wreath!! Can you still make this wreath if your pussy willows were picked a few weeks ago…or will they be too fragile?

    Many thanks

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Spring Willow Wreath says:
    April 2, 2013 at 3:47 pm

    […] year I created a tutorial on how to make this wreath. I also photographed the wreath against a little red barn – had a […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome! I'm Barb, and this is where I practice my mantra to "learn something new, try something different". It's my hope that something I do here may inspire you! Read More…

Categories

Archives

Copyright 2020 * Keeping with the Times * All rights reserved.