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Wrapping with tiny dogwood hoops

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You need

• Fine stem tips from dogwood (or willow) - about 20 cm long
• String, yarn or ribbon
• Seed heads, stems or flowers
• Plain wrapping paper
• Snaps or secateurs

1. Start at the thickest end of your stem and loop it around to form as small a circle as possible. Do this slowly and carefully, bending it a little bit at a time so that it doesn't split.Then loop the rest of the stem round and round the circle to hold it in place.

2. Cut off any protruding bits stem, being careful not to cut so much off that the hoop unravels.

3. Wrap your gift. I tend to use Kraft tissue or paper to keep it simple, fabric also works if you know that the recipient will use it.

4. Hold the dogwood hoop centrally on the front of the wrapped gift.

5. Loop the ribbon or string through one side of the dogwood hoop, take it to the back of the wrapped gift and then round to the front on the other side, loop thorough the other side of the hoop, take to the back and secure it with a knot or bow.

It is likely that your hoop will now be strong enough to simply slide seed heads under, but if you are travelling with your gift or posting it you can make it more secure by either use a little fine rose wire wrapped around them, or a dab of glue.

I glued on this strawflower with a dab of UHU.

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