How to Make Grapevine Furniture & Wreaths

Grapevines can be fashioned into many decorative items.

Grapevines grow in an endless array of twists and turns. The sturdy roots and bases of large vines can be fashioned into furniture bases. Because of the unique quality of each vine, design and construction will be determined by the dimensions of available plant matter. Grapevine wreath construction uses the newest portions of the plant. For either project, the grapevine exhibits great versatility.

Things You'll Need

• Grapevine materials
• Twine
• Drill
• Bits
• Bolts
• Hacksaw
• 3/4-inch glass table top
• Saw

Instructions

Grapevine Table Legs

1. Examine the stock of wood available for use. Determine if there are enough thick pieces to use as legs. If so, arrange them in a composition that is pleasing to your eye.

2. Fasten the vines together at the intersecting points with twine. This is a temporary step that will allow you to make the correct holes for attaching bolts to stabilize the legs..

3. Drill countersink holes 1/2 inch into the wooden leg components at locations necessary to attach bolts to the thick grapevine. This will be determined by the materials you are using to fashion these table legs and the form that they create.

4. Drill all the way through the thick grapevines with a smaller bit that will accommodate the width of your bolts.

5. Attach bolts through the holes. The amount you tighten the bolts will depend on the completed shape you are envisioning.

6. Trim any portion of the bolts that are protruding with a hacksaw.

7. Saw the bottom and top of the twisted grapevine legs so they will stand evenly on the floor and allow a table top to be placed on the top of them.

8. Add a 3/4-inch glass top to the completed leg assemblage.

Grapevine Wreath

1. Gather grapevine by pulling it from the palnts or from arbor trimmings. Make certain that you do not take all the grapevine in one location. Allow enough plant material to remain for future growth.

2. Lay the thin grapevine material out lengthwise on the ground.

3. Starting at the thickest end, create a circle of a slightly smaller diameter than you wish your finished wreath to measure. Twist the end back through the hoop and around the outer edge a few times to secure it. Do not become frustrated; the initial tension makes the hoop sometimes difficult to handle. Just keep wrapping, and the wreath will begin to take form, and it will hold together without popping apart.

4. Continue wrapping the grapevine around this hoop. It takes a lot of room to be able to pull the length of vine through the hoop and around the outer edge; working outside is advised.

5. Tuck the last portions of the vine neatly into the wreath, and trim any pieces that look like they do not belong.

Tips & Warnings

• For wreath making, use the grapevines soon after harvesting, as they will become brittle as they dry.

References

• Mother Earth News: Grapevine Wreaths
• Nancy's Wildlife Furniture