Every now and then I like to take on a challenge. Typically, crafting and DIYs come fairly easy to me. In the past, if there was something I was struggling with, I could usually find a YouTube video tutorial. However, this time was different.
My grandpa passed away in the middle of the Covid shutdowns. My family decided to wait until this year to safely celebrate his life. I was asked to create a piece of decor for his headstone.
Right around Memorial Day, there was a really cool picture of a patriotic eagle wreath going around on Pinterest and some of the crafting groups I’m in on Facebook. I was inspired and compelled to make it. But when I began searching the internet for ideas on how to make it, I kept coming up empty. I had a general idea of what I needed to make it and thought, “how hard could it be?”
Many multiple-hour crafting sessions (and plenty of passionate cussing) later, I finally figured it out. The wreath itself is not hard to make. Trying to figure out how to align pieces of wood on a rounded surface in a neat pattern is what I struggled with. So I decided to put together this tutorial to save you the headache, time, and frustration and get straight to making a beautiful eagle wreath.
Step 1: Gather Supplies
- FloraCraft Rounded Wreath
- FloraCraft 6” Half Ball White
- Air Clay
- Yellow Acrylic Paint
- Plastic Craft Eyes
- Wood Craft Stars
- 300 #20 Wood Biscuits
- 150 #0 Wood Biscuits
- Matte White Spray Paint
- Matte Blue Spray Paint
- Matte Red Spray Paint
- Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Step 2: Paint the Wood Biscuits
I spray painted 150 #0 wood biscuits matte white and 100 #20 wood biscuits for each color of matte red, matte white, and matte blue. You have to be very careful about spray painting them so they don’t blow over. Allow at least a couple of hours to dry to completely.
Step 3: Have a Drink Attach Wood Biscuits to Wreath
The time saving tip I learned here was to take a serrated knife and scrape down the wreath form so the curve isn’t too steep. If the curve is too steep, the wood biscuits don’t want to lay nicely. Using a hot glue gun, attach your first row of white wood biscuits. I did about 2-3 rows of white before moving to red. Don’t stress too much about how the first few rows of feathers look because it will most likely be covered up when you attach the head.
Step 4: Make the Eagle Head
I started by sculpting a piece of air clay into a cone shape. Next, I attached the cone directly to the foam ball. Then, using an eagle image for reference, I kept pulling or adding clay until it looked like it was to size. I also added a couple of nostril holes to the beak. Allow at least 24 hours for the clay to dry before painting.
I mixed together golden yellow paint with a couple of drops of orange and about five drops of bright yellow to get the color on my beak. Use whatever color or color combination you think would look best.
Now it’s time to attach the wood biscuits. With the beak pointing to the left, I started attaching the wood biscuits from the bottom, next to the beak, and worked in a backwards “C” motion.
When the eagle head is done, attach it to the wreath using hot glue. For lack of a better alternative, I used a couple of sheets of wadded up paper towel in the gaps where the eagle head didn’t have any flat surface to hold to.
Using the plastic craft eyes, I cut the back of it off so it was flat and attached them to the eagle head.
Step 5: Paint and Attach Stars
Finally, the very last step! Using the same matte white, paint your stars, allow them to dry, and then attach them to the blue section of the wreath. For reference, I used eight stars on mine. It all depends on how big your blue section is.
With Brave Wings He Flies
My grandpa was a special man. His birthday was May 28, so we often celebrated with him over Memorial Day weekend. He also loved eagles and his house was always decorated with them. When I saw this wreath, it really spoke to me and I wanted nothing more than to create it for him. I am so proud to have completed it and be be able to honor him in such a beautiful way.
If you have any questions about this process, please comment below or send me an email directly to jessica@blissthismessblog.com!
14 Comments
Thank you so much for the steps on making this American Eagle wreath. I’ve been thinking of making one but was totally lost on how to make it. You have made it much clearer on how to get it done. Would you mind sharing what size wreath you used?
Thank you,
Mary Tramutola
Michelle Noble from a Noble touch made this back in 2020 on YouTube. It was a very popular video. Give her credit.
Hi! Thank you for your comment! I love that someone has put together a video tutorial for those that learn better by watching. I did go check out the tutorial, as I’ve never seen it before, and aside from using red, white, and blue wood biscuits, these are two very different wreaths made using very different techniques. Since I did not copy her work, I don’t feel like there needs to be credit given here. Have a great day!
I have been wanting to make this eagle, but cold not find instructions. Thank you sooo much
What size was the eagle wreath?
Hi Tory! I used a 2″ x 15.6″ foam wreath form.
Beautiful work. Give or take how much did this cost you to make? I would love to make something like this. Thanks for sharing ❤️
Good Afternoon Jess,
What size Wreath form did you use for the Wooden Eagle Wreath made with Wood Biscuit’s & where did you purchase it😁
How big would you say the inside of the Wreath is once completed? I found a metal American Eagle round sign that I could put in the middle once I make it but I just need to know if it’s either 8, 10, or 12inches on the inside once done.
I’m making this for my father whom is Retired Airborne Ranger, Army Special Forces for Fathers Day😁
GoodEvening Jess,
What size wreath form did you use and where did you purchase it from?
Also, about what size is the middle of the wreath when it is completed? I found a beautiful Eagle insert to put in the middle but I just need the diameter of the center once completed!!! 8,10 or 12 inches?
I’m making this for my father whom is Retired Airborne Ranger, Army Special Forces for Fathers Day!!! He LOVES Eagles 🦅😁
What would you suggest using to hang this on the door?
What size stars did you use?
Thank You so much for making this Beautiful Eagle Wreath! I have watched youtube videos and always thought I could never make this. As soon as I saw what you posted I know I can make this!!!! Just because someone else made a YouTube video does not mean I could follow what they are doing. You made this so easy and now I know I can make this. My father was a POW and I want to make a wall with pictures, metals like Purple heart and flag in a frame. Now I will make this wreath!! This will be a perfect for my wall!!! I will send a picture. Thank You for helping me be able to have a great memory wall for my Dad he is my hero!
Hi Debbie! Thank you so much for your comment. If you have any questions or need more help, don’t hesitate to send me an email at jessica@blissthismessblog.com. I can’t wait to see your eagle wreath!