What to Do With All That Summer Beachcombing Driftwood

I’m so excited to bring you my driftwood wreath today. The reason I’m so excited? This wreath has been at least 6 months in the making.

That is about when I first decided I wanted to make one (it actually may have been longer). So, what has taken me so long? It’s been a long scavenging road. Every time I’m in the woods, on a lake, on a river, on the beach I’m searching for driftwood. After 6 months of searching, what did I have to show for my efforts? About 10 pieces of driftwood in various sizes. I wasn’t even that picky, it didn’t even have to be real driftwood. All it had to be was a nice aged piece of wood.

After six months of searching I finally decided to get serious and visit my local reservoir.

I had found a few pieces at the reservoir a couple of years ago when I wasn’t on the search, maybe there was more to be had. After an hour of walking along the shoreline I had enough to fill a backpack. I was now ready.

Using a jigsaw and a scrap piece of 3/4″ plywood, cut out a wreath form. My piece was 19 inches wide while the wreath itself was 4 inches all around.

I then sanded the rough edges of the form and stained it so that any bare spots would show up as just a shadow not as a bare piece of wood.

I then covered the outside edge of the wreath form with my first layer of driftwood. This is a great place to use up any slightly curved pieces of wood. These were nailed into place with a nail gun, however, you could also use hot glue.

The first layer was nailed on. The remaining layers were applied one at a time around the entire wreath overlapping the previous layer by about half.

Once you get started the wreath comes together really quickly.

For more photos tips and hints visit me at the link below.

Don't need a wreath? How about a tree made out of driftwood. Check it out here. http://scavengerchic.com/2015/05/18/wayfair-inspired-driftwood-tree-diy/

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#wreaths

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1 question

Suze on Aug 11, 2016
did you treat the wood first to cleanse it of fungus or insects? if so what is your method? always looking for a better solution....

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Rozmund on Aug 12, 2016
It is more of a suggestion...instead of creating the plywood base - use an abandoned toiled seat..flat back...smooth, can paint it whatever base colour you need or not...the old wooden ones or the new plastic...does not matter...today's glues would be the determining factor...you could get two created doing it this way, in the same time as one the harder way....just a thought...cheers, Roz

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- Karen Reilly on Aug 12, 2016
  Can you imagine posts for the use of abandoned( I like that phrase by the way ) toilet seats. Thanks for the practical thoughts.
  
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- ScavengerChic on Aug 14, 2016
  I love a good upcycle. I must admit that wreaths are not the first thing to come to mind when I see a toilet. :)
  
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- Rozmund on Aug 14, 2016
  So true, but the topic was just that....I also thought, and you probably have as well, a good quality square mirror, that sort of has the corners and edges banged and scratch...not much money to take to a professional glass cutter to shape to the toilet seat on hand...round, oval, medium and large....we already did this years ago....clipped it in place carefully in the back, attached a heavy duty hanger bracket.....hung it in the bathroom - the symetry of shape was perfect...looked custom made...my hubbies idea...let's keep the visions coming...there must be something that can be done with the lids although I truly have not thought hard on that one...but someone will - we are truly a special breed of folks....Roz
  
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Cheyenne Sheehan on Aug 12, 2016
Necessity is the mother of invention! lol

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