This is a great way to use up your scrap clay and odds & ends. We all have a bag (at least) of scrap clay from projects and cane ends. Take some of this (about 1-2oz) and blend it together in your pasta machine until you have a uniform color (the shade will depend upon the scrap colors you use).

1) Run the above scrap clay through the pasta machine from a #1-#3. Then run the sheet through the spaghetti attachment on your machine. What you will get is long thin strings of clay.

2) Pick up 4 to 6 strands of the clay at a time. Twist it gently and begin to shape the wreath **Please note: It is easier to do this part on a sheet of paper or parchment so your wreath doesn't stick to the work surface** Keep adding layers to the wreath until it is the size and shape you like (mine is about 3" around).

3) Next condition the green clay. Run it through the pasta machine from #1-#3. Using the Aetco cutter that resembles a sunshine; cut out 6-8 clay pieces. Lift each of the pieces and gently tug from opposite sides. This tugging should give your "sunshine" a holly shape. Add lines with a straight-edge tool. Apply the holly to the bottom of your wreath in any order/arrangement that looks balanced.

4) Condition the red clay. Make small holly berries and apply them to the wreath.

5) For the bow, condition 1/4 block red clay and 1/4 block green clay. Roll each through the pasta machine separately up to #3. Stack the two colors and run them through the pasta machine on #2. Cut 2 strips of clay approx 1/2"x6". From one of these cut 2 pieces about 2" long each. Set aside the extra piece. Cut the other strip in half and taper the ends to resemble the ends of a bow.

6) Decide if you would like a red bow or a green one. Pick up one of the 2" clay strips. For a red bow bend the corners back (towards the green) until they touch. You should now have a point at the end of your strip. Repeat with the other end. Bring the 2 points together to form a loop. This will give you 1/2 the bow. Repeat with the other 2" strip. Set both aside.

7) Pick up one of the 3" strips. Bend the corners on one end (exactly as above). Taper the pointed end. Repeat with the other 3" strip.

8) Arrange the bow loops and bow ends on the grapevine wreath. Be careful not to flatten the loops of your bow while attaching (I insert a large knitting needle into the loop to help press it onto the wreath without disturbing the shape of the bow). Use the leftover piece of "ribbon" to wrap the middle of the bow.

 

9) If desired, press a jump ring or similar loop into the top of your wreath for
hanging.

10) Bake the completed project at 275 Degrees F for an hour. Let cool. Hang it up and enjoy.

Variations:
1) Make the wreath smaller (about 2" around) and add a pinback after baking.

2) Use spring colors. Add flowers, butterflies, ladybugs, etc