I make a lot of things with silk flowers and sometimes end up with extras. I also end up with lots of loose leaves and naked stems. Here's a quick and easy way to turn those leftover supplies into a wreath fit for the dead.

SUPPLIES:

* 12-18 assorted silk flowers

* black spray paint

* drop cloth (optional)

* 2 silk flower stems

* wire & wire cutters

* black tulle (optional)

* hot glue gun and glue sticks

Step 1: Prepare Your Flowers

Remove the flowers and leaves from the stems. Spread them out on a drop cloth and spray paint them black. It's ok if some of the original color shows through...it adds to the creepiness and give the flowers a little bit of depth. (Save the stems for later...you'll be using them to make the wreath form.)

Step 2: Create Your Wreath Form

Wire your flower stems together to make a circle. Use 1 stem for a small wreath or 2 for a larger one.

Optional: Wrap your wreath form with black tulle and secure with a dot of hot glue at the end of the last wrap. You could also paint the stems black when you are painting the flowers, but I like the tulle because it looks more finished and gives the hot glue a little something extra to grab on to.

Step 3: Add Leaves

Start gluing leaves all around the wreath form. Keep leaves going in the same direction, layering end over end as you go.

Step 4: Add Flowers

Place the flowers around the wreath however you like and then glue them down. Don't worry about the little glue strings that get all over the flowers...I purposely added extra to look like spiderwebs.

Step 5: Add Finishing Touches

Add a hint of color or some extra tulle. (I had a few loose red petals that I decided to tuck in around a rose.)

Step 6: Hang and Enjoy!

Voila! You've just made something fabulous from scraps and would-be waste.