Fall copper leaf wreath

Hands-on time: Less than three hours.
Total time: Add drying time for the paint to dry and set - roughly 48 hours.
Skill: Moderate.
Cost estimate: Less than $24 for the materials.

Materials & Tools

• A wreath in the shape and size of your choice (with fall berry cluster accents of your choice; this one has orange bittersweet clusters)
• Classic copper metal sheet in 36 gauge by Metal Works (available at Loomis Art Store)
• A drawing or a traced image of a leaf (I used an oak leaf design)
• Sharp scissors
• Work gloves (when working with metal, gloves will protect your hands from nicks and cuts)
• A stylus
• A soft foam square sheet (the kind used for children's crafts)
• Masking tape
• Arti'stick window paint colours by Pébéo to paint the copper leaves (dries translucent)
• Artist paintbrushes in assorted sizes (optional)
• An awl punch and a hammer
• Wire cutters, round or needle-nose pliers (three-in-one craft pliers are available at several craft stores)
• Copper craft wire in 22 gauge
• Instant Rust set by Modern options (optional)

For a fabulous fall wreath, infuse it with copper foliage in bright autumn colours. It's adaptable for the entire fall season; simply add a turkey or a pumpkin foil shape at the centre for Thanksgiving and a cat, or bat for Halloween.

Start by drawing or tracing a basic leaf design, such as an oak leaf, onto paper in the size needed. I made large leaves measuring 14 centimetres, and smaller leaves at 12 centimetres. Unroll the copper foil, cut a length to fit as many leaves as you need. Remember to wear gloves. Place a piece of soft foam on a hard, flat work surface. Place the foil sheet over it. Place the paper designs over the foil piece and attach them at each end with tape in order to keep your work stable. Trace over the basic leaf shapes using a stylus (or pencil) to transfer and emboss the motifs onto the foil. The foam helps create deep and clear embossing outlines in the foil. Cut out the leaf shapes using sharp scissors.

Apply extra freehand designs along the centre of the leaves if you wish.

Once the foil leaves are embossed, paint them with Arti'stick paint colours using the applicator tip or with assorted artist paintbrushes. Leave some of the copper exposed around the borders for extra panache. Let the paints dry for 48 hours. Once they are fully dry, make a hole at the stem part of each leaf using an awl and a hammer. The hole is to insert the copper wire to affix them to the wreath.

Cut copper wire lengths of 20 centimetres, one for each leaf. Thread a wire length halfway through the stem hole, twist to secure the wire to the leaf at the back. Add a spiral curl shape to the front tail ends. To create a wire curl, simply wrap the wire end around a pencil or paintbrush tip several times. Secure the leaf to the wreath with the other wire end by twisting the end around a branch. Repeat steps for remaining leaves.

Once the paints are set after 48 hours, wait a few days before putting the foil leaf wreath on your front door or porch.

This wreath is sure to add pizzazz to your front door.

Variations

• To add a true fall rustic charm to the leaves you can omit the translucent paints and apply a rust or patina finish or leave the copper leaves in their natural state; a natural patina will appear over time.