My Gumdrop Wreath

This Christmas season I was determined to make a gumdrop wreath.  So, this weekend with hot glue gun in hand and 7 packages of gumdrops, I set forth to make my gumdrop wreath.

I started off with a 12" foam wreath form from Michaels.  For starters, I wrapped packaging tape around the top of the wreath to protect the foam from the fishing line I used to hang the wreath.

I used a hot glue gun to stick the gumdrops on the wreath.  This was extremely easy to do - just seemed easier than using toothpicks.  But, learn from my mistake and don't place your gumdrops in horizontal rows like this.  

You see the gaps between the gumdrops?  Not good.  Instead, after you glue your first row of gumdrops, start to stagger the gumdrops in the subsequent rows so you don't have a gap between the gumdrops.  In other words, when starting your second row, place the gumdrop between the gumdrops in the first row.  Does this make sense?

This will eliminate the gaps and your wreath will begin to look dense.  The wreath took me about 4 hours.  Who has 4 hours these days?  But, I actually enjoyed sitting there (after my son was in bed), gluing one gumdrop after another onto this wreath.  Not complicated and a bit cathartic.  

The ribbon covers the fish-wire that is actually holding the wreath.  I love how it turned out!  Supposedly, there is a spray you can use to preserve the gumdrops.  I have no idea if this will keep until next year.  If I had more time, I'd love to make another one and offer it as a giveaway!  Maybe, next year!