Now that you can recognize grapevines, you can think about using them for crafts.  We’ve all seen grapevine wreaths hanging on doors and for sale at craft shows, but do you know how easy it is to make one?

First identify some grapevines that can be harvested without harming the local environment.  You can take some of a vine but be sure to leave enough that can still produce grapes next season.  If you find dead vines, that’s just as good.

If the vines are dead or particularly stiff, you will have to soak them.  Find a large tub, vat or a bathtub and fill it with enough water to cover the vines.  Let them soak until they become flexible.  This could take a few days.

Bring the vines outside or to a place where a mess will be easy to clean up.

Take the end of the vine and make a circle of whatever size you’d like your wreath to be.  Now take the long end and wrap it around the loop – through the center and around the outside – until you run out of vine.  If it’s not thick enough, grab another piece of vine, tuck the end into your wreath and continue wrapping.

Once it is the size you’d like, tuck the ends and any stray pieces back into the wreath until you have your finished wreath.

Now you can add your decorations or hang it as it is.  Tuck in dried flowers, ornaments, ribbons or whatever else you might have.  You can redecorate it with each season and it will last for years.