DYI DOLLHOUSE MINIATURES: A CANDY WREATH

This Candy Wreath is meant to be hung indoors. It has scissors hanging from a ribbon that allows children to snip off a tasty treat, which it desired, can act as a pseudo count-down to Christmas. For years a charitable group that I belonged to made of these in life- size. The wrapped candy was wired onto a wire coat hanger that had been shaped into a round, the hanger part left intact. They brought smiles to the face's of many children.

For miniatures, this wreath would make a lovely and different holiday exchange gift. They can be hung in different rooms in a house, help fill the walls in a Holiday Shoppe, become part of Mrs. Claus’s kitchen, or simply a fun addition to your miniature collection.

INSTRUCTIONS

Use tiny, approx.1/16” to 3/32” diameter round beads in assorted colors for candy balls. If desired, balls may be formed of Fimo.

The beads are wrapped in cellophane (the type use to wrap full-sized candies, such as sour balls….the easiest way to obtain a batch of colored cellophane for this project is to purchase a full sized bag of candy…treat yourself to the candy and save the wrappers). Wrap the plain colored beads in matching color cellophane. Or for a different look, use candy-striped beads. I have some (as pictured) in my bead collection that came pre-strung and have used them for years in various ways. You may create your own by fitting a plain bead on the end of a toothpick and drawing lines on it with a fine-tipped permanent marker pen. Wrap these “candies” in clear cellophane so the stripes will show.

Cut small pieces of the cellophane, center a bead on it wrap it around, and then twist the ends tightly next to the bead. Start with a piece of cellophane larger than needed and trim the ends after twisting. Set prepared candies aside.

Use a circle template to design a wreath of desired size or make copies of the printie herein. The outside of the wreath, as seen, has a 1” diam. and the inside cutout has a 9/16” diam. Make a paper wreath & cut out. Clip the paper wreath under a piece of clear, thin, plastic sheeting (like one finds on bubble wrap or other packaging found on many purchased items…a quick look in your cupboards should come up with many options). Use the paper cutout as a guide for cutting one from the plastic sheeting. You may have round paper punches in your supplies that can be used to cut the wreath base in place of scissors. Your candy will be glued to the plastic wreath.

Cut an approx. 2 ½” square piece of matboard (or any cardboard). Draw or glue a wreath of the size you are creating on the center of the board…this will act as a guide. Cover the prepared board smoothly with clear plastic wrap. Taping ends to back. Place the plastic wreath over the wreath on the board; static may hold the piece in place but if not use a couple of tiny dots of tacky glue to hold.

Smooth on a layer of tacky glue on the plastic wreath. Using tweezers pick up wrapped candies , dip in a tiny bit of glue and press onto wreath. After the first layer is on add a second layer and then fill in as needed to fill in any bare spots and to form a full shape. Make sure to distribute the colors fairly evenly over the wreath.

Let the glue dry completely before removing it from the board.

To create the scissors, start by making a printie onto matte presentation paper. Carefully cut out the two sides of the scissors. Paint the blades metallic silver with nail polish, paint, or pencil. Color the blades red, green, or black with nail polish or glossy enamel. Do both sides and use tweezers to hold. Glue one completed side over the other, leaving them slightly open. A black fine-tipped, permanent marker pen may be used to create the illusion of the screw holding the two pieces together.

PRINT ONTO MATTE PRESENTATION PAPER

You may add the ribbon trim with scissors while the glue is drying. Create the bow, your choice of color, of narrow ribbon, preferably silk. Cut a length of ribbon that will it from the back of the top of the wreath to off the bottom taking into consideration that the end will be wrapped around the scissors. Glue one end to the back of the bow. Glue the bow in place on the wreath. Loop the other end around one of the finger holes in the scissors, so the scissors are just below the wreath, and glue to hold.