This simple DIY Leaf Garland is the perfect easy fall craft to do with the whole family! It adds a little fun for an autumn season stroll through your local park looking for the perfect leaves to add to your DIY fall garland.
A Budget-Friendly Fall Leaf Craft
We are so used to going out and buying new seasonal decor for each holiday. What we start to forget is that the true celebration of fall is enjoying the season itself and embracing the beauty that is right in front of us. As we shifted into a simpler way of living, the old joys of going to our local decor store to purchase all of the new fall things started to loose it’s joyfulness.
It feels so fulfilling to be able to enjoy the seasons and the holidays for what they truly are and not over consuming because we think we need all the new seasonal products! There are so many great ideas to replace store-bought decor item that are free!
Can You Make a Garland Out of Real Leaves?
Yes! You can make a beautiful fall leaf garland out of real fall leaves with a little bit of steps towards preserving them. In this post we will be using beeswax. Bees wax is the perfect way to naturally preserve real leaves to prevent them from drying out and curling.
Why Use Beeswax to Preserve Leaves?
- Natural and Non-Toxic: Beeswax is a natural, non-toxic substance produced by bees. It’s a safer and more environmentally friendly option compared to some chemical preservatives or sealants.
- Preservation: Beeswax helps preserve the color and texture of leaves. It acts as a protective coating, preventing leaves from drying out and becoming brittle, which can happen as they naturally dry and age.
- Translucent Finish: Beeswax imparts a lovely, translucent finish to leaves, allowing light to pass through them. This enhances their natural beauty and gives them an almost stained glass-like appearance.
- Flexible and Durable: Beeswax-coated leaves remain flexible and less prone to crumbling or breaking. This makes them more durable for use in various crafts and decorations.
- Easy Application: Beeswax is easy to work with. It can be melted and applied to leaves without the need for specialized equipment, making it accessible for easy DIYs.
- Preserving Natural Beauty: Beeswax doesn’t alter the natural appearance of leaves as some other preservation methods might. It allows you to enjoy the leaves’ original colors, shapes, and details.
While beeswax is a great option for preserving leaves, it is important to remember that preserved leaves may still eventually fading and deteriorate over time, especially if they are exposed to sunlight or moisture. Beeswax can significantly extend the life of your leaves for your DIY fall leaf garland and maintain it’s visual appeal!
How Long do Beeswax Covered Leaves Last?
Waxed real leaves can last months! We started our leaf garland mid September and they are still going strong into October. They will last throughout the whole autumn season, until we switch out our seasonal decor from fall decorations to winter decor.
What Are The Best Leaves For a Beeswax Leaf Garland?
The best leaves are leaves that have newly fallen from the branches. Look for leaves that are still moist. Avoid leaves that are brittles and have started to curl. We like to look for the most vibrant colors, with a variety of shapes and colors. You can even use beautiful fern and wild plant leaves! The sky is the limit with the leaf shape and color!
Other Uses for Wax Leaf Garlands
You can make a variety of simple fall decor with wax dipped leaves! Try making this fall wreath with pine cones. There are so many simple ways to bring the beauty of fall into your home for free!
Other Ways to Preserve Leaves
There are several methods you can use to preserve leaves, each with its own advantages and limitations. Even though we enjoy preserving our leaves with beeswax, it may not be accessible to everyone, so here are some alternative options to preserve your leaves!
- Pressing: Pressing leaves is a classic method for preserving their natural beauty. Place leaves between the pages of a heavy book, stack books on top, and leave them for a few weeks until they are completely dried and flattened.
- Laminating: Laminating leaves can help protect them from moisture and damage. You can use a home laminating machine to encase leaves in clear plastic sheets. This method keeps the leaves flat and offers some protection against fading.
- Glycerin Soaking: Soaking leaves in a solution of water and glycerin helps maintain their flexibility and color. Mix one part glycerin with two parts water, then submerge the leaves in the solution for several days. The glycerin replaces the natural moisture in the leaves and helps preserve them. You can then air-dry the leaves.
- Silica Gel: Silica gel is a desiccant that can be used to dry and preserve leaves. Place the leaves in a container with silica gel and seal it. Over a few days or weeks, the gel will absorb moisture from the leaves, leaving them dried and preserved.
- Mod Podge or Clear Sealant: Applying a clear craft sealant, like Mod Podge or clear varnish, to leaves can help protect and preserve them. Brush the sealant over the leaves, and allow them to dry. This method can give the leaves a shiny or glossy appearance.
- Wax Paper Ironing: Sandwiching leaves between two sheets of wax paper and using a low-heat iron can help preserve them. Be careful not to use high heat, as it can cause the leaves to scorch. This method flattens and protects the leaves.
What You Need to Make This Autumn Leaf Garland
You only need a few simple supplies that you probably already have at home to make this inexpensive DIY fall leaf garland! If not, a quick trip to the dollar store is all you need to do!
Fall Leaves: Enjoy a hike and enjoy this beautiful time of year! Bring the family along and set out for a hunt for the perfect leaves for your autumn garland. We used 14 leaves for our large mantle garland. The amount of leaves you use will be determined by where you hang your own garland and how close you want the leaves to be. A fall door garland will naturally require more leaves than a small kitchen window.
Beeswax: You can find these at a craft store, online or at your local bee farm! Beeswax can come in many forms such as blocks, pellets, shavings, pucks, or even liquid! It doesn’t matter what form you purchase your beeswax in, as long as it can be melted down and is in it’s natural form with no added dyes.
Twine: You can purchase natural twine or jute rope from your local craft store or dollar store, such as Dollar Tree!
Wax Paper: You will need wax paper as a barrier for the leaves and your countertop after dipping in the beeswax. Using a material such as wax paper or parchment paper allows the leaves to not stick.
Watch Our Step-By-Step Tutorial Video!
How to Make A DIY Fall Leaf Garland
- Collect Your Leaves: Remember to choose a variety of different colors and shapes.
- Clean your leaves: Give your leaves a light wipe with a damp cloth. Be sure they are free of dirt, insects, and moisture. Let them dry completely.
- Melt the Beeswax: You can melt beeswax using a double boiler or in the microwave. If using a double boiler, fill the bottom pot with water and place the beeswax sheets in the top pot. Heat gently until the beeswax is completely melted. If using a microwave, cut the beeswax into smaller pieces and microwave in short bursts (15-30 seconds each) until fully melted.
- Set Up Your Workspace: Lay down a sheet of parchment paper, wax paper or a silicone baking mat to protect your work surface.
- Dip the Leaves: One at a time, dip the leaves into the melted beeswax. Use tongs to hold the leaf and immerse it into the beeswax, making sure to coat both sides. Allow any excess beeswax to drip off.
- Lay the Leaves to Dry: Place the wax-coated leaves onto the parchment paper or baking mat. Allow them to cool and harden. You can speed up the process by placing them in the refrigerator for a few minutes.
- Repeat the Process: Repeat the dipping process for each leaf, adding more beeswax to the double boiler or microwave as needed.
- Create the Garland: Once all the leaves have cooled and hardened, thread a piece of twine or string through the stems or a punched hole at the top of each leaf. Space them out as you like, and leave enough string at each end for hanging.
- Hang Your Garland: Find a suitable place to display your beeswax leaf garland, such as over a fireplace mantel, on a wall, or along a window.
More Autumn Living Posts:
- DIY Leaf Ghost Garland
- DIY Fall Pumpkin Centerpiece
- How to Make Your Home Smell Like Fall
- DIY Wooden Haunted Houses
- Simple Fall Kitchen Decor Ideas
- DIY Fall Wheat Wreath