Introduction: CD Wreath
If you are of a certain age, and a certain demographic, you may remember making Christmas wreaths out of punch cards. (I can't remember a time when CDs weren't the preferred form of data storage, but my dad can...)
Sadly, those wreaths are long gone, but you can pay homage to this ancient tradition by creating your own, shinier, modern day version!
Step 1: First, Gather Your Materials.
To make this rainbow-y creation, you'll need some materials.
-Anywhere from 10-30 CDs, depending on the size of your ring.
-A wooden, plastic, or styrofoam ring, suitable for gluing stuff on.
-A Hot glue gun, with glue for it. (Although some strong regular glue would work almost as well)
-A hanger to hang the wreath on.
-A Festive Ribbon (Optional)
Step 2: Start to Glue on Your CDs!
This is pretty self-explanatory. You start gluing on the first layer of CDs, SHINY SIDE FACING OUT, as shown in the picture. Lay them out first, so that they are placed evenly. Don't just start gluing them on! Make sure that you have them roughly all sticking out the same distance... it just doesn't look good to have a lumpy wreath.
Really, do take the time to do this!
Step 3: Now, Add the Second Layer!
As before, lay the CDs out, SHINY SIDE OUT, make sure you've gotten them evenly spaced, and start gluing!
Step 4: Finishing Touches!
If you have any loose bits of glue hanging about, be sure to remove them from your creation.
Drill, glue, or otherwise fasten your hanger to the back of your wreath.
If you like, you may add your Festive Bow, thus completing it!
Step 5: Hang Up and Admire
Hang that thing on your door, in your house, or even on yourself as a strange fashion statement.
I would suggest putting it in the general vicinity of twinkling Xmas lights, as the flashing colors look very impressive reflecting off the wreath.
We have had people drive past our house, glance at it, and then reverse to get another look! It is quite a spectacle.
Also, I have found that during the process of getting this object out every holiday season, it tends to have a disk or two get a little loose. Just quickly patch it up with a little hot glue!
Well, I hope you'll have a fun time turning a common household item (that might otherwise be discarded) into a holiday decoration!
--Paul
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18 Comments
8 years ago on Introduction
I made this and put a picture in the middle as remembrance for my sister that passed away last month
8 years ago
If you use Amazing Goop Craft Adhesive, will probably never need to re-glue. I use it for PVC bird play pens, repairing broken tail lights, car grilles, dolls house furniture. Just don't use it for Styrofoam, ( it melts!). I have a booth in a flea market. In the summer temperatures are frequently above 100 degrees Fahrenheit when closed during the week. My sign letters would drop like flies. It's also waterproof.
11 years ago on Introduction
I am having trouble finding a craft ring to use for this project. Where did you find yours?
12 years ago on Introduction
dollar store battery operated lights!!
14 years ago on Introduction
woohoo, go paul haha.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Yeeha!
14 years ago on Introduction
Well, as everyone is saying this...
Yes, It would be pretty cool with lights!
I'm going to try that, as soon as I find a spare string. However, it is complicated by the fact that I don't have an outdoor plug, so it won't be happening too soon.
(Actually, there are lights peeking through the windows surrounding the door, but they don't reflect too much, and you can't see them in the photo.)
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Loved it, made it, added a string of battery operated led lights left over from something else. Frakkin awesome. Thanks.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Wallgreens Drug used to sell the battery led lights. I bought a crapload after Christmas.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
How did you add them? Just around, or poking through the holes, or shining through the CDs themselves? (Are super-bright LEDs bright enough to shine through? I want to know!)
Also... do you mean real Xmas lights, like you put on a tree, or do you mean the necklace things? My local drug store sells those for about a quarter!
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
They were small battery operated Christmas string light with about 20 lights all together. They are not too bright . I put them into the hole in the CD and sort of bent them down to contact the surface. The effect isn't great unless its dark.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Excellent! I'll have to get some and try it. If you could post a picture of what you did with your wreath, I'd be grateful.
14 years ago on Introduction
Paulhogan said "rainbowy-ness" ..... haa haaa, I love it.... I think that might be one of my new favorite words. The CD wreath IS cool, but I'm thinkin' it would be verrry cool with lights.
14 years ago on Introduction
put christmas lights on it then it could glow in the dark
14 years ago on Introduction
add a batt pack and some blinky leds for backlight, I might try that
14 years ago on Introduction
Wow, that's really eye-catching, cool idea.
14 years ago on Introduction
The photos don't really capture the full rainbowy-ness of it.
14 years ago on Introduction
ooooh shiney