It’s a holiday wreath with tube brushes from Habitat for Humanity ReStore ‣ MyFixitUpLife

2015_MyFixitUpLife_Holiday Wreath_ Philly Habitat ReStore_7841

Habitat for Humanity ReStore surprises me with inspiration, like this holiday wreath from tube brushes.

‣ MyFixitUpLife I made this holiday wreath using brushes from Habitat for Humanity ReStore. — I made this holiday wreath using brushes from Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

I love making holiday wreaths.

It doesn’t matter that it’s just a project designed for pleasure, and no actual practical use. I embrace my desire for crafting amusement and go ahead and make yet another festive wreath.

I’ve used candy, berries, plastic spiders, medallions, and more to decorate our front door. But this year I went a bit further into the upcycle world. This wreath is made from tube brushes.

After seeing racks of tube brushes for sale at Philadelphia’s Habitat for Humanity ReStore, I grabbed a handful, and set out to bend and paint those metal brushes into a faux wreath.

Since I’ve never painted brushes before, I grabbed several different Krylon spray paint colors to test on the brushes. After playing, layering, and comparing, I decided that a base of brown (Brown Boots), followed by a layer of gold, and dusted with silver was the look that most appealed to my decorating instinct.

I had an idea to use door knobs as a bow, but reached for a few holiday balls and ribbon to keep the look more traditional. I’m saving those door knobs for a future upcycle project.

‣ MyFixitUpLife 2015_MyFixitUpLife_Holiday Wreath_ Philly Habitat ReStore_7619 — Yes, I’m this happy when shopping at Habitat for Humanity ReStore. And yes, they have everything from a sofa like this to the tube brushes I’m using.

‣ MyFixitUpLife Tube brushes are about to become festive. — Tube brushes are about to become festive.

‣ MyFixitUpLife Supplies for this project include brushes, Krylon spray paint, ribbon, pliers, and other embellishments. — Supplies for this project include brushes, Krylon spray paint, ribbon, pliers, and other embellishments.

‣ MyFixitUpLife I lined up all of the brushes on a trash bag (easiest drop cloth ever) before painting. — I lined up all of the brushes on a trash bag (easiest drop cloth ever) before painting.

‣ MyFixitUpLife I experimented with a few different colors to see how the brushes would take the paint, and how the black fibers would look painted. — I experimented with a few different colors to see how the brushes would take the paint, and how the black fibers would look painted. Obviously I take this part of the project very seriously.

‣ MyFixitUpLife 2015_MyFixitUpLife_Holiday Wreath_ Philly Habitat ReStore_7805 — Using a few brushes I hadn’t painted, I played with the various ways I could bend and shape the brushes into a wreath. It was easier than I thought. I squeeze the end of the handle so that it could fit inside another brush handle.

‣ MyFixitUpLife I wrapped each brush around the previous brush after they were connected at the bottom. Twisting each to form part of the circle. — I wrapped each brush around the previous brush after they were connected at the bottom. Twisting each to form part of the circle.

‣ MyFixitUpLife After the wreath is in a wreath form, I dusted it again with the gold and silver paint to give it a shimmer. — After the wreath is in a wreath form, I dusted it again with the gold and silver paint to give it a shimmer.

‣ MyFixitUpLife I tied a few gold and silver balls with ribbon and attached them to the wreath. — I tied a few gold and silver balls with ribbon and attached them to the wreath.

‣ MyFixitUpLife I'm very happy with my tube brush holiday wreath. — I’m very happy with my tube brush holiday wreath.

‣ MyFixitUpLife The wreath looks very festive on our door. — The wreath looks very festive on our door.

If you’ve DIYed a project from Habitat for Humanity ReStore, I hope you’ll share it with us.

Theresa

A handy designer and writer, she shares DIY projects, tool how-to, and home makeovers as a book author, home show speaker, DIY workshop coach, and radio host. Plus, she has a degree in journalism with a minor in architecture, and is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPs) and certified color consultant. She's created fast-paced makeovers for TV shows, and shares home trends and DIY tips as a freelance writer and guest on news shows and satellite media tours for TV and radio.

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