Welcome to the April Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop and some bee wreath DIY inspiration!
This month is the first time I am participating, and I’m very flattered to join such a talented group of bloggers. You’ll want to read until the end of the post to see links to lots of recipes and projects.
The purpose of this Pinterest Challenge is to motivate all to not just pin, but to make it, cook/bake it, plant it, decorate it, wrap it….. you get the idea!
Hoping spring is around the corner, for April I chose to share Bee Wreath and Skep. Actually, three bee-themed, deco mesh wreath creations made as decorations for a My Favorite Things Party.
The wreaths and skep were inspired by not one, but two Pinterest pins and their associated blog DIY tutorials.
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Bee-autiful DIY Inspiration
Inspiring the first bee wreath, was a whimsical creation by The Wreath Depot. Round and Round‘s blog post also has an easy-to-follow tutorial, complete with illustrative photographs and materials list. That made it especially appealing, because I had never made a deco mesh wreath before.
I always have a welcome sign and designate an area to drop off gifts for the exchange.
All three wreaths were created as decorations for a French queen bee-themed My Favorite Things Party. That was the first of what has now become an annual event. Interested in knowing more? Read How to Host an Extraordinary My Favorite Things Party for details.
Materials for Skep Bee Wreath #1
I wasn’t looking to exactly recreate the inspirational pin, although I definitely wanted the same color scheme and to follow the outlined deco mesh techniques (there are a variety of methods, options available online). In terms of ribbon and embellishments, I also needed to work with what was currently available at local craft stores.
Here’s what I used:
- 20″ wire wreath form (readily available)
- 20″ wide burlap deco mesh (Michael’s)
- Butterfly wired ribbon (Hobby Lobby)
- Yellow polka-dot, wired ribbon (Michael’s)
- Black mesh ribbon (Pat Catan’s)
- Sunflower garland (Michael’s)
- 3 metal bee embellishments (Pat Catan’s)
Making Bee Wreath with Skep
This is what the large bee wreath looked like before I created the skep for the center. It’s a very large wreath, extending the width of the door. You could scale down the size by using a 16″ wreath form and 12″ wide mesh roll.
For the party, I hung the wreath inside on an interior kitchen door, where everyone could see it.
Something Was Missing
Later, I decided the middle of the wreath looked empty. I had already created a bee skep-topped jar for a game I called, What’s the Buzz. Filling the jar are honey flavor candies. Read Bee Party Gifts, Favors and Games to see how the game was played.
That jar and bee skep were the result of a second inspirational Pinterest pin by Little Miss Celebration. The blog link provides another instructive tutorial that’s simple to follow. It’s a clever DIY project using a Styrofoam egg at its core.
I decided to make a second bee skep to insert into the middle of the large bee wreath — something not included in the original Pinterest inspiration. Here’s the list of materials:
Bee Skep Materials List
- Styrofoam egg (Michael’s)
- Twisted sisal rope/twine (Michaels)
- Scrap of black or dark brown felt
- Low-temp hot glue gun and glue
- Bees (Walmart online)
Here’s a close-up of the skep now attached in the middle of the wreath.
I also used the butterfly ribbon for the Bee Decorated Chandelier hanging over the HapBEE Birthday Table and Beehive Dessert.
I Can’t Bee Stopped! Wreath #2
Since I had extra mesh and ribbons, I decided to make another, smaller wreath for the front door to greet guests. At the time, the door was a hunter green and in bad need of a coat of paint! Now, it’s a dark, high-gloss black. I call this the Queen Bee Wreath, can you guess why?
Materials Queen Bee Wreath
I used a smaller 16′ wire frame this time, but the same 20′ deco mesh — which made the wreath very full. I also incorporated some of the same butterfly and polka dot ribbon, along with the silk sunflowers and a few bees. But, I also made a number of changes, additions:
- Narrow, pale yellow honeycomb ribbon (Michael’s)
- Narrow, pale yellow bee ribbon (Michael’s)
- Wide, black & white buffalo check, wired ribbon (Hobby Lobby)
- Unfinished crown on stick (sprayed gold) (Michael’s)
- Butterfly embellishments (Dollar Tree)
- Honey dipper (Hobby Lobby), tied on with black & white polka-dot ribbon (Michael’s)
Can you find the honey dipper?
The honey dippers were also used as the final favor at the My Favorite Things Party. Guests picked the dippers up as they left. See the details at Decorating Ideas, Games & Favors for a Festive Bee-Themed Party.
Since it’s the Queen Bee Wreath, I topped it with a crown and added a number of chenille drone bees.
To Bee or Not to Bee? Wreath #3
While at Pat Catan’s, I found this wonderful bee on a stand. I knew immediately I wanted to incorporate it into a third wreath for the party.
Materials Wreath #3
Like the Queen Bee Wreath, I used a smaller 16″ frame, silk sunflowers, butterfly ribbon, and honey dippers (3). What’s different:
- 12″ wide white & burlap stripe mesh (Michael’s)
- Chenille bees & black pipe cleaner
- 2 1/2″ wide, wired black & white stripe ribbon (Michael’s)
- 2 1/2″ wide, wired yellow & white patterned ribbon (Michael’s)
The last ribbon reminded me of a honeycomb. What do you think? And, see the mini wooden bees glued to the ribbon — I bought a bag full of them at Michael’s and also used the bees to embellish tags, signs, and favors for the My Favorite Things Party.
Wreaths Find New Homes
This wreath was named French Bee by Susan of Between Naps on the Porch, in the feature, 3 Adorable Bee-Theme Wreaths. Several of her followers then contacted me, wanting to purchase bee wreaths. Realizing I only needed one, I agreed to part with two. French Bee now resides in Atlanta and Queen Bee reigns in Orlando.
Come May, the Bee Skep Wreath will go up on my now shiny black front door, flanked by bee-themed urn planters.
Now, I make wreaths all the time for myself, friends, family and blog followers. Check out my wreath projects, where I also provide step-by-step instructions with photographs, and a list of materials.
Here’s a more recent project, Charming Watering Can Wreath Project for Spring.
Now let’s see what other things Pinterest inspired! Head over and visit the other hosts to see what they crafted, cooked, built, or tried!
Lemon bear mini cake, beehive donut stacks and Oreo bees prepared for Queen DebBee theme party.
I’ll bee (sorry, couldn’t resist!) posting more features on the bee-themed decorations, invitations, food, games, favors, and gift exchange in upcoming posts. Hope you’ll follow along.
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I regularly participate in: Metamorphous Monday, Share Your Style, Tablescape Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Saturday Sparks, Happiness is Homemade, and Love Your Creativity.
Wow! So many great and fun ideas on here. I love your wreaths and I too tend to find a few Pinterest pins and combine or modify them to suit what I’m thinking of. Great, great job! Pinned.
Thanks Joanne! I love combing through Pinterest when I’m conjuring up a project or party (or just coming across something in my interests feed) for creative inspiration. A little of this, a little of that…
Thanks for sharing at the Summer Time Fun Linky party. Pinned.
Joanne, you are so nice to visit all 5 of my summer wreath posts and compliment them! Thank you!
The bee wreaths are wonderful! Love the butterfly ribbon too! You have some mad wreath making skills! The bee hive jar is so fun too! Pinning to share!
Thanks Laurie! I thought the ribbon was really special and unique. So much so I also used it to decorate a kitchen chandelier too! I liked your choice of the word ‘mad’ too — as I’m currently working on an Alice in Wonderland themed party! LOL
I am so impressed by your wreath making talents. I tried to make one mesh wreath and couldn’t figure out how to thread the mesh through the wire wreath form. It turned out okay but not exactly right. You need to quit your day job and go into the wreath making business. These are absolutely adorable! So much fun.
Leslie, I actually did quit my day job (retired early) last October to start this blog and enjoy other hobbies like crafting. I’ll be posting ladybug, sailboat, and watermelon/ant wreaths I’ve made over the next few weeks/months too. Thank you for the lovely compliments Leslie.
Love your wreath! It’s so pretty, cute and sweet.
Thanks Lauren! Moving today from bee wreaths to ladybugs and then ants/watermelon!
I know better than to try making one myself. I leave that to you.
Adore my bee on the kitchen door. It’s a “Where did you get that?”wreath.
You reaching out to me for that wreath was the start of our friendship, which makes it extra special.
These wreaths are so beautiful and absolutely adore your butterfly ribbon. Your party looks like it was fun and lovely. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much Kelley! The annual My Favorite Things Party is always a wonderful way to celebrate friendships.
What a fun wreath! Adding the skep to the center was the perfect finishing touch. I love how full it looks.
It is a big wreath, that’s for sure, but it also makes a nice impact from the street. Because of storage and shipping, most wreaths I make now are on a 16″ frame. I can get the fullness without the circumference.
You made some lovely wreaths. I think they are all my favorites.
That’s very nice of you to say, thank you Debra (love your name LOL!).
I have a friend who raises bees that would absolutely love your adorable wreaths!
That’s so neat! Does she make honey too? Today I baked a bee-hived shaped birthday cake for my husband and set the table with some of my bee tableware. I’ll share it soon. Bee sure to share a link to the wreath post with her.
I am absolutely in love with all three of your bee wreaths. I have done a bee-themed tablescape myself, but would have loved to incorporate a whimsical bee wreath like yours too. Beautifully done and so eye-catching against your black door. I loved how you incorporated the homemade skep with plenty of lovely polka dots and bees. So sweet.
Marsha, I’m so glad you visited and liked the bee wreaths! I just finished two ladybug themed ones for customers today, which I’ll share soon. Have you ever posted your bee-themed tablescape? For my husband’s hap-bee birthday this weekend, I created a new tablescape with a bee-hive shaped cake. I took lots of pix so I can blog about it. Tomorrow I’ll be posting the DIY French Queen Bee invitations I created. Busy as a bee!
Very fun! Love all the “buzz” play on words. Cute theme. Visiting from Beautifully Made party.
Thanks Victoria! I’m afraid the play on words was even worse on the invitations I made, “honey of an afternoon with the sweetest people..” queen bee invite
Your bee wreath is adorable! I love it! I’ll be featuring you tomorrow as part of Thursday Favorite Things!
Wow, that’s great Angelina, can’t wait to see! Thanks so much.
Super cute wreath! #wanderingwednesday
Tracy, thanks ever so much for stopping by and visiting Debbee’s Buzz.
I love all of your bee wreaths! You made each one a little different and I really love them all.
Thanks Erlene! Did you see the ladybug wreath with skep post? ladybug-wreath-new-homes-bridges-seasons Do you make wreaths too? I know you’re very crafty.
Yes, I just hopped over. Mesh wreath making can be addictive…lol. Yes, I make a lot of wreaths because their so easy to make and is a quick decor change.
They are addictive! I do like the quick décor change, but storage remains an issue. I also could use a few more front doors to display them all on…LOL!
Hi Debbee, I absolutely love your wreaths. The bee wreaths are darling and that teapot wreath is so eye catching. Thanks again for sharing at our May garden party. Happy Memorial day weekend.
Living here in Pittsburgh, I’m still only getting my herbs in and some annuals potted. Nothing blog worthy yet! That’s why I had to include wreaths with silk florals for the garden party LOL! Glad you like them Linda.
I love this wreath! The bee hive is so cute, and I love the bees and honey dipper! Thanks for sharing at the Summer Time Fun Link Party!
Thanks for stopping by! Three years later, I am still enjoying having the bee hive wreath hanging on my front door — even if it’s now a little faded from the sun. Bee wreaths are the most frequently requested custom creation I receive.
I know I can count on you to get the most bee-u-tiful bee inspiration Debbee! Everything is so cute!