I'm not a coffee person (love the smell- don't love the taste). Tea, however, is a hot beverage I can really get behind.
This passion for tea translates into a tea box that just can't accomodate my collection and a tea drawer that is jumbled at best (since there's no room for all of the boxes that the tea comes in, most of the tea bags have been relocated to bags... it's an adventure). This situation is totally fine for me; I usually know what I'm looking for and can just paw through to find it. It's not great for hostessing, though, as guests don't know what's available (why the heck not, right?) and I don't really love the idea of putting 15 ziploc bags full of various tea varieties on my counter every time people come over.
Enter my newly crafted Tea Wreath. With this little circle of goodness, my guests can easily see each kind of tea I have without having to sift through my massive, and sort of confusing, collection. Then, when people leave, I just replenish the wreath. It's both easy for me and great for all the tea drinkers that frequent our house.
To make a Tea Wreath, you'll need:
-two pieces of 12x12ish cardboard (I used the back covers to two scrapbook paper packs)
-patterned paper that compliments your kitchen decor (I ended up using one whole piece and part of five pieces... if you minimized your palette, you could probably do the whole project with two pieces of paper)
-clothes pins (I used 24)
-hot glue
-ribbon for hanging
-sour patch kids (apparently, because they made their way into all sorts of pictures along the way...)
1. Hot glue your two pieces of cardboard together (this is to give your base a little bulk since it'll be holding a bunch of clothespins eventually). Cut the doubled up cardboard into a generally wreath-like shape (a circle, or if you're adventurous, a square). Make sure the 'wreath' part is about as thick as a clothespin. I traced plates to make my circles (you can see that I didn't like my first choice of inner circle and found something smaller to trace instead).
2. Cover your circle with patterned paper. I traced my 'wreath' onto the back side of the patterned paper and then cut outside of my lines by about half an inch to give myself gluing margin. I then notched the margin up to my tracing lines and glued the little tabs around the outside and inside circles. I'm sure there are other ways to cover a cardboard circle- that's just what I did.
3. Cover your clothespins with patterned paper as well. I just cut long strips of paper about the width of the clothespin, hot glued the long strip on, and trimmed the ends.
4. Start hot gluing your clothespins to your wreath. Continue until the whole wreath is covered in evenly spaced clothespins. Make sure that the 'mouth' of the clothespin faces the outside of the wreath (otherwise you'll have a whole jumble of tea bags in the center of the wreath and people won't be able to see which kinds you have).
5. Tie a ribbon on your wreath for hanging. Clip tea onto each of your clothespins. Hang and enjoy!
If you're visiting from Craft Schooling Sunday, Made it Mondays, Metamorphosis Monday, Made by You Monday, Make it for Monday, Get Your Craft On, Just Something I Whipped Up, Talented Tuesday, Show and Tell Wednesdays, Look What I Made Day, Get Your Craft On, Creative Craft Thursday, Strut Your Stuff Thursdays, or DIY Day, welcome!
Hi girls,
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful idea! This would make a tremendously nice present for a tea lover! Thanks for being so generous in sharing this with all of us. Please feel free to come and visit my blog, too, if you like:
irascreacorner.blogspot.com
Take care, Ira
I love this! What an awesome idea...beautiful and functional as well. I featured it on my blog.
ReplyDeletehttp://doehlerdays.blogspot.com/2010/03/tea-kitchen-wreath.html
Thanks for the inspiration.
I love this! I am a tea drinker too and can relate to the jumbled up mess of tea bags in the drawer. Thanks for the great idea and tutorial!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute idea. As a fellow tea lover, I understand. My tea chest is absolutely overflowing.
ReplyDeleteOk I seriously LOVE this and must make it NOW. What a great idea!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a novel idea... you put quite a bit of energy into this... the tea lovers might just use the tea bags so be careful.... love it!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a cute idea! I've never seen anything like it. I'm a huge tea drinker, so I understand how crazy it can get with a million boxed stashed all over the kitchen. I love your solution!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. As a tea lover I really neeed to make one of these for me and one for my MIL
ReplyDeletethis is wonderful!!
ReplyDeletei am making one for myself!!
What a fun gift idea!
ReplyDeleteNice idea!
ReplyDeleteI love it! I would be replenishing it constantly...I love my teas! :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! A useful wreath! Form and function. I love it!
ReplyDeleteSo very cute!! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is super cute! My wheels are spinning about where I could hang sucha thing in my kitchen.... hmmmm!
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome idea. I definitely want to make this for my mom, an avid tea drinker.
ReplyDeleteCool! Seriously, I´ll do this. Today, I think! RIght now! Thanks for this idea!
ReplyDeleteI'm like you-love the smell of coffee, but CANNOT drink it. Very nice wreath and something I need to make! Thanks so much for sharing! ♥♪
ReplyDeleteI love it, love it, love it! I'll be linking to this.
ReplyDeleteThis is the cutest idea I have seen in a while...Love it...would make a cute gift...or even to have on display during an afternoon tea. I'll be back to visit!
ReplyDeleteI'm a tea or Chai person myself, and that shows in my blog's name, too! I love, LOVE, love this so beyond words! Just fabulous!
ReplyDeleteLove love love it. So many great colors. Thanks for sharing with Made it Monday! Jules
ReplyDeleteThis is the most creative way to store your tea! Makes a nice display too. Thanks for sharing such a great idea.
ReplyDeletethat is the cutest thing ever! we have tea around the world every tuesday! if you want to visit my blog i'll tell you how to join us!
ReplyDeleteThat rocks! I even love it without the tea bags!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I've EVER commented on a DIY and I've seen hundreds. Clever, whimsical, practical. Great!
ReplyDeletejudithwesterfield.wordpress.com
I love this idea! Also, don't forget to save the colorful packets after you drink the tea - you can make another wreath with them. See a tutorial on my blog at http://connectthedotscrafts.blogspot.com/2009/12/recycled-projects-tea-wreath-garland.html.
ReplyDeletethis is so cute! I shared your idea on my blog today.
ReplyDeletehttp://flytomywindow.blogspot.com/
thanks for the idea!
This is adorable! I love how bright and cheery it is. Thanks for the turorial.
ReplyDeletewonderful! I am going to do this soon! I like ira's idea of using as a gift. I think it might also be a great prize at a bridal or baby shower. Even at a womens tea party. LOVE IT! thank you soooo much.
ReplyDeleteI would spray paint the clothespins to make it even easier! Good idea except I need two wreaths for all my teas!
ReplyDeleteWonderful, very creative and useful idea! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant...I will have to make one...love it...
ReplyDeleteYour blog is so fun to look at. I got stuck on it for quite awhile. Thanks for all the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteCami
Thank you so much for this idea. I have a dear friend that, sadly, spends too much time in the hospital with her youngest child. I'm going to make one of these for her to take on those trips. Not only will it decorate the room, but it will give her access to tea any time she wants it.
ReplyDeleteYou've got me smiling! This is such a great idea! Thanks so much for linking up at craft schooling Sunday! I'll be sharing this with my readers this week and hope to see you again too! all the best and thanks for all the wonderful projects!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I keep my tea bags in a cute ceramic bowl so I can pull it out for company, but this would be awesome! Thanks!
ReplyDeletethat is such a clever idea! how fun to make your selection from that wreath - it reminds me of wheels on game shows :)
ReplyDeleteI am a tea person too. This is such a clever and colorful way to store or display teabags. It would make such a nice gift too.
ReplyDeleteThis would make a creative and useful gift. I am have stumbled this so I will remember it. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited about this! I'm making it for my Secret Sister at MOPS for next Tuesday! But, shhh, don't tell!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I have a lot of tea-drinking friends who would love this, as well! Thanks!! :)
ReplyDeleteWell, I made mine. It's not as fabulous as yours, I think I needed a darker background paper. But, I do still really like it!
ReplyDeletehttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v440/shawnago/DSC07085.jpg
Absolutely love this! Think I may make one for my tea-loving grandfather! :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE it!!! My mom is a huge tea drinker! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love this! It's very clever and would make an excellent Mother's Day gift! I'm going to try this soon. Thanks for the idea! I found this post through Infarrantly Creative's LOVES links!
ReplyDeletei have been thinking about this project since i saw it on craft schooling sundays at creativejewishmom.com. i just went out and bought a bunch of clothespins and i'm hoping to make it this week. i think it would make a really nice photo display as well. thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeleteThis is so pretty! What a wonderful idea! I'm linking at Dollar Store Crafts tomorrow (thanks to Infarrantly Creative for the link!)
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking this would be a wonderful class gift for a teacher. Students could give gift cards to various places and clip them onto the wreath. It would be a great end-of-the-year gift. I'll have to keep it in mind if I'm ever room mom. ;-)
What a great idea. I have a brand new blog and I'm going to feature it. http://answerischocolate.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteJust the idea of covering clothes pins in pretty paper is fantastic. I don't drink tea, but I can think of so many more uses for pretty clothes pins -- clipping and displaying photos, notes, greeting cards, etc. Thanks so much for the idea!
ReplyDeleteMy herbal tea bags aren't individually wrapped like this but I immediately thought of Christmas cards! Perfect!
ReplyDeleteI subconciously copied this wreath idea to make a picture holder. So I gave you credit on my blog :)
ReplyDeleteAli
foundintheali.blogspot.com
I think this is a great idea for the teachers lounge at my kids' school!
ReplyDeleteLove it!! Our tea packets are overflowing & this will be perfect. Thanks!!
ReplyDeletei made this today (after having the supplies sitting in my crafts box for months!) and it came out beautiful! thanks for sharing this idea! i'd love to send you a picture but i can't seem to paste it into my comment. anyway, thanks again! - abby
ReplyDeleteThanks! Made my own and posted it on my blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://melbergink.blogspot.com/2010/06/tea-wreath.html
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteLovely idea!!!! I hope you don´t mind if I featured it on my blog.
ReplyDeleteHugs from Brazil
Absolutely Love IT!!!
ReplyDeleteI featured it today on my tea lovers' roundup. Find it here
ReplyDeletehttp://muffinsnmore.blogspot.com/2010/09/project-7-cute-kitchen-tea-wreath.html
Thanks so much for sharing this! I love it!
Wow! I love this because 1. It's so cute and 2. I'm addicted to tea!
ReplyDeleteHello fabulous Christmas idea! Thanks for sharing your creativity!
ReplyDeleteI don't know how I ended up at this post but I love this idea so much esp. for this time of year when we're looking for gift ideas! I will be making one of these asap for one of my dear friend! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHere is my version with a link to your tutorial! Thanks again for the great idea!
ReplyDeletehttp://anounceofcreativity.blogspot.com/2010/12/gifting-tea-wreath.html
Thanks for the Tutorial!! I Copied that!
ReplyDeletehttp://icopiedthat.blogspot.com/2010/12/tea-wreath.html
Great idea. Very beautiful and sweet.
ReplyDeletewww.sissy-atelier.blogspot.com
I made a couple of these for gifts for my son's teachers. They were a big hit. Thanks so much for the great project. -Jillian
ReplyDeleteI made one of these for myself and liked it so much that I made 20 more for Christmas gifts. Thanks for the great idea, and the good instructions!
ReplyDeleteOmg, I love this idea, awesome!! I love tea too!
ReplyDeleteAna
Brilliant! this is so cute and creative! Can't wait to see what else you have to share with us. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thefinishing-school.com/The_Finishing_School/Salon.html
OMG. I thought I was the only one with a tea drawer. It's a big one and I can't fit all my tea in it, either. Love the wreath!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea. While it is a similar concept as the Christmas card holder I just put away, yours looks so much better. You could even make seasonal ones and change them every few months.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it's a great way to display those wallet size school photos!
I believe I just found a great mother's day gift. How wonderful! The best part is this can be custom designed to match anyone's kitchen, such a great idea. Thanks for sharing your wonderful inspiration!
ReplyDeletehttp://maketheworldgoround.wordpress.com
Great idea! Something similar was on the early morning news today only she had put the pins towards the center which i did not like. This would be cute in Christmas paper to hold Christmas cards.
ReplyDeleteLove this! Made a version of it for a tea party: http://singlesandpairs.blogspot.com/2011/04/hosting-tea-party.html
ReplyDeleteI made one for my friend! You can see it here:
ReplyDeletehttp://barkinghen.blogspot.com/2011/04/tea-wreath.html
Thanks bunches!
I love this! Sou brasileira e achei o blog de vocês e adorei.Sempre vou dar uma olhadinha.Vocês têm muito bom gosto.Parabéns!
ReplyDeletehttp://cintillantealvarenga.blogspot.com
I just saw this on The Kitchn. I absolutely love this idea. I'm going to try making one for my office cubicle wall. You are so clever!
ReplyDeleteSuperb idea,thnks for the tutorial
ReplyDeletegreat! i want to make one as an advent calendar.
ReplyDeleteI linked to your tutorial on my blog - thanks for sharing!
doro K.
I am going to be making one of these soon! I just love the idea! I want to be able to see my teas and/or hot chocolate packets and not have to rummage around in a cupboard for that particular one I want to have.
ReplyDeleteWell now I know what the tea drinkers on my list are getting for Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThank-you so much!
Don't know if my last post went though,so I want to thank you for the ideas for the Christmas tea drinkers on my list.
ReplyDeletehttp://domesticmischief.blogspot.com/2011/12/two-tubes-of-super-glue-later.html?showComment=1323437065398#c6195389869073741844 I did your tea wreath!!! Just wanted to share mine and to let you know that you've been featured on The Girl Creative's "Creating Christmas!" Happy Holidays!!!
ReplyDeleteI saw this on Pinterest and actually MADE it! Thanks for the tutorial for an easy to make gift! @ http://amberinklings.blogspot.com/2011/12/pinny-party-3.html
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! I love it! I'm going to make one of these for my friend who drinks lots of tea. She has almost wall to wall cabinets and just a little wall space where this could go. I'm worried a 12x12 might be too big... would this project still work if I cut everything in half? (6x6 cirlce and 12 pins) Would it still be good?
ReplyDeleteI love this and it's so simple, I may feature this on my blog! Thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeletecan't get over how much I love this project! I've shared it here:
ReplyDeletehttp://dollarstoremom.com/2011/12/make-a-tea-lovers-wreath/
What a cool idea! Would be great for Christmas cards or photos too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I borrowed it and made one for my best friend. Of course she loved it.
ReplyDelete