Let’s take a look at how to make a dried orange wreath!
For the most part, I enjoy decorating for the holidays using natural elements.
I strive to inspire my readers with simple and easy crafts and home decorating ideas to get our homes ready for the holiday decor.
Because this is the time for gatherings with family and friends take the time to make pieces to usher them into your home.
Sharing steps to make a dried orange wreath is an easy project that you can use in your home for the cooler months as well as the holiday season. So, how exciting will it be to turn some music on and make this inexpensive Christmas craft?
By the way, this orange slice wreath will make a wonderful gift for someone in your inner circle.
Wouldn’t it be a great way to celebrate being together and giving gifts from the heart? Giving a homemade gift for someone special is often the gift they cherish most.
Also, this is a great activity to make with the kids except for the gluing. You will be making memories that are important as a family during the cooler months with a fire and a warm drink. Besides this gets you a step ahead for the holiday season.
This dehydrated fruit craft is a favorite especially because it has it all. Oranges, mandarins/clementines, cinnamon sticks, walnuts with gilding, and star Anise. The best part is it has one of my favorites, preserved acorns I have had for years.
How Long do Dried Oranges Last?
How Long Will These Last?
Dried orange slices generally last about two or three years. Meaning they’ll especially look their best for the first couple of years, and start to turn increasingly darker. However, this doesn’t mean they are bad or unusable!
Do These Attract Bugs?
Will These Attract Bugs?
The answer is NO! Bugs are particularly attracted to the juice in citrus So, as long as your orange slices are completely dry after dehydrating them, they will not attract bugs. Thank goodness for this fact. What would we do without these dried in our homes?
Does it Take to Dry These?
Is it a Long Process to Dry These?
I’m so happy you asked. Why, because I share how to easily do this step and you have to use your oven low and slow. Also, the oranges need to be cut into 1/4 thick slices. This also only takes 4-6 hours and rotating them. At Cloches & Lavender, we work hard to have as many answers for our readers as possible.
Besides, natural elements for the cooler season and holidays using dried orange slices on this wreath also combines elegant coupled with rustic elements which I am a fan of using in home décor.
Using a grapevine base is perfect for this simple wreath project.
However, a straw or wire wreath frame wrapped with burlap will work as well. Also, another option is to purchase a foam form and wrap that in burlap too. For a foam, wreath make sure to use the low setting on your glue gun.
For this DIY Christmas wreath, I especially like the texture a grapevine round adds.
Supplies List
- 18″ wreath blank of your choice
- dried oranges navel oranges work best
- walnuts in the shell
- paint
- glue gun and glue sticks
- cinnamon sticks
- acorns
- star Anise
Gather Materials
Grab All Your Materials to Get Started
Add Paint to Nuts
Step 1: Painting the Walnuts Adds Sparkle for the Season
I start gilding walnuts using champagne craft paint.
Next Start Building the Wreath Beginning with the Fruit Slices
Step 2: Hot Glue the Slices to the Base
First, I glue my dried orange slices to the grapevine. I add dry orange slices one at a time using hot glue.
However, a clear fishing line and a piece of floral wire can be used to hold the dry oranges.
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I also overlap slices of the dehydrated fruit. Next, I begin gluing each dried mandarin/clementine as well to my farmhouse wreath. Adding the Clementine on top of the oranges slices works best.
Using a Glue Pot to Attach the Whole Dried Fruit
Step 3: Adding the Larger Whole Pieces to the Base of this Craft Project Makes It Easy to Attach
As a rule, I normally would use my glue gun to add dried clementine for this easy craft project. However, I decided to give a new product a try from Surebonder. In fact, I like this so much I may get a larger size.
Start Adding the Pieces to the Wreath
Step 4: Adding the Spices and Nuts Using a Hot Glue to Adhere to the Form
By the way, the paint of the walnuts and cinnamon coupled with the dried fruit slices adds another refined element and texture.
Next, I glue my walnuts nestling them beside the dried mandarin/clementine.
Here, you can see cinnamon sticks next to the dried slices which adds another scent as well as more texture to this Christmas decoration.
Adding Star Anise to the Citrus
Step 4: Star Anise Adds More Rustic Touches to This Easy Project
By the way, adding Anise stars is a beautiful addition slice oranges.
Acorns Are Dry Brushed and Added to the Dried Oranges
Step 5: Glue the Dry Brushed Acorns on as a Finishing Look to this Seasonal Wreath craft
Next step, I add the same paint used on the walnuts to the acorns is a perfect way to give these natural pieces an elegant touch. I use a dry brush technique.
This is not only quick it’s also easy to apply. Generally, you want very little paint on your brush. In fact, make sure to dip the tip of the brush only and wipe the excess off on a paper towel before applying.
After wiping the excess off you should be left with very little paint on the brush. Lightly add the paint to the acorns. This technique is great because the natural look of the acorns will still be visible next to the citrus slices.
By the way, I have used acorns from the yard collected from our old home. By the way, when using real acorns from nature, it’s important they be cleaned and baked in the oven.
You may enjoy reading a post that shares the process of saving, cleaning, and preserving real acorns for many years.
By the way, my collection is over 20 years old, and they look as good as the day I began my collection. It also shares how I decorate with these tiny pieces of nature in our home with dehydrated fruit.
Now back to the dried orange craft idea, begin with using your glue gun, and add the acorns and star Anise to the top of the orange slices.
Lastly, add a ribbon of your choice to the top of the wreath and hang this natural Christmas decor in your home.
The good news, this dried orange wreath will last for at least two seasons so it can be used next Christmas. Store it in a cool/dry place in your home on a flat surface or hang it from a shelf.
As an example, a basement works well because it’s usually cool with little light. If you would like to store this inside something, I suggest a brown paper bag or wrapping it in brown craft paper and securing lightly with tape. Plastic will cause excess moisture on the dried citrus which may cause mold.
I hope this inspires you to make this dried orange wreath for your home. I would love to know if you will try dehydrating citrus, gilding nuts, or making citrus garlands for the cooler seasons too.
Please let me know your thoughts about your Christmas decorating plans.
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PIN IT TO REMEMBER IT FOR INSPIRATION!!
Cindy, this is so beautiful! I think decor made of natural elements are the most beautiful.
This is so pretty! I love the neutral colors, and the organic feel of this wreath!
Thanks, I love it too
Your wreath is so pretty and I love all the natural elements. The acorns and Star Anise do make a nice added texture to your wreath. Looks good on your front door too. xoxo Kris
Thanks Kris, it’s fun to make
Loved this tutorial! Your wreath turned out just beautiful!!!
Thank you so much!
This is so pretty! I’ve pinned it for later – I really would love to make this for Christmas this year!
It’s easy to make. The longest part is drying the citrus
Your wreath is beautiful! I love all of the natural elements. Pinned for later!
So happy you Pinned it. I hope you make one or something similar. It’s fun
so many possibilities for using the dried fruit. I love your wreath Cindy.
Thanks Terrie
This wreath is so gorgeous, Cindy! I love how you mixed the different types of dried orange and painted the walnuts. Pinned!
Thanks for Pinning!
It’s absolutely beautiful!! I love the addition of the whole clementine. I don’t think I’ve seen that before. It really makes the wreath look extra special!
Thanks Kim. I never dried whole Clementines before Figured what did I have to lose
Beautiful wreath! I’m looking forward to making this in the fall.
Great Tammie. Hope you make it and it will last through Christmas
Thank you for this post, I have always wanted to make one, and now I have the instructions to do so! Looks great and I bet it smells pretty good too!
Great I’m so happy you like it.
This turned out so cute, you got me thinking of Fall. Love it!
Ah that’s my favorite seasons cold weather girl here
Really love the way it turned out. Usually they are so flat looking, but yours has so much dimension to it. Great job!
Thank you, I love it
Gorgeous wreath! Where did you find your anise stars?
Hugs,
Kippi
I guess I should have mentioned it. Anise stars can be found in the food store
This wreath is seriously so stunning! I always appreciate all the layers of texture you add to your wreaths and vignettes. They’re really pretty! Can’t wait to try your wreath making technique. I swear you make it look so easy! Hugs, CoCo
Thanks so much CoCo
Your wreath is gorgeous!
Beautiful!
This is wonderful. And thanks for the tip about storing it in a paper bag. Wouldn’t have thought of that.
This is just wonderful!
I just adore your wreath!!! The devil is definitely in the details here as you have created so much texture!
I love it and just may need to make one myself:)
Thank you so much Maria. I highly recommend making one!
I love wreaths with natural elements. Gives a comforting feel.
Thank you so much!
The wreath is beautiful! Thanks for sharing how to make it! I love your front door, by the way!
Thanks for the feature
Thanks for the feature!
thanks for the feature!
Thanks for the feature!
ooh, I love this. I definitely want o make one.
This was a fun project
Looks like you are all ready for fall!
Thanks for adding post to the FWF party fun.
RR
Not quite yet
Darn, I just passed up a bunch of acorns on my walk this morning. I had so wanted them, but I had a pup who was being mischievous and I could not get acorns and hold him on his leash at the same time. Thanks for the inspiration. I will have to go back less one pup to pick them up!
If you can grab them they last for years. Mine are 10 years old
This is a great wreath. I love that it is all natural components.
Thank you so much!
Cindy, I love this wreath! You can never go wrong with natural elements. Painting some of the elements is a great idea! Pinned!
Love this dried citrus wreath! Pinned!
Thanks so much Jayne!
Thank you Jayne
Oh Cindy! What a gorgeous way to bring natural elements to a seasonal wreath. Thanks for the tutorial so I can make my own. This would make a lovely gift, as well.
I love natural elements for these seasons