Mabon Crafts: Make a Maple Pod Wreath for Mabon, the Autumn Equinox

In the fall, maple pods spin down to the ground in abundance. Mabon is a traditional time to gather dried seed pods and plant material to decorate the home in celebration of the wonderful autumn season. Using this method, you can make a beautiful maple pod wreath for Mabon.

Mabon Crafts: Make a Maple Pod Wreath for Mabon - Materials You Need

The first thing you'll need to make a maple pod wreath for Mabon is 100 - 130 maple seed pods. If you live near maple trees, these are easily gathered. You may also be able to obtain them from hobby and craft stores if there are no maple trees near you.

The second thing you'll need to make a maple pod wreath for Mabon is medium gauge floral wire and wire cutters. Floral wire can also be found at hobby and craft stores or florist shops.

The next thing you'll need to make a maple pod wreath for Mabon is ribbon, in traditional Mabon colors of brown or dark orange. The ribbon needs to be approximately ¾ inches wide. Cut the ribbon into one 1-yard piece and one 1-1/2 yard piece.

The final things you'll need to make a maple pod wreath for Mabon are a hot glue gun, glue sticks, seasonal foliage (silk flowers are best) and a 10-inch diameter plywood wreath base. The wreath base is easily obtained at hobby and craft stores or you can make one yourself if you're handy.

Mabon Crafts: Make a Maple Pod Wreath for Mabon - Step #1

The first step you'll take to make a maple pod wreath for Mabon is to make a hanger for the wreath. Cut a twelve inch piece of floral wire and twist in the center to form a loop with two long ends. Wrap the wire ends around one side of the wreath base, with one wire on each side of the base. Twist the wire ends together and tuck the ends on the back side of the base.

Mabon Crafts: Make a Maple Pod Wreath for Mabon - Step #2

Now that you've made the hanger, the second step to make a maple pod wreath for Mabon is to place a line of hot glue across the wreath base and hot-glue a row of seedpods to the base. Then, glue another row of seedpods in the same way, overlapping the stems of the first row with the tips of the second. Continue this way until the base is entirely covered with rows of seedpods.

Mabon Crafts: Make a Maple Pod Wreath for Mabon - Step #3

The next step you'll take to make a maple pod wreath for Mabon is to form a loop in the center of the 1-yard piece of ribbon and glue it together where the two sides cross with the hot glue gun. Now, glue the ribbon loop near the top of the wreath.

Mabon Crafts: Make a Maple Pod Wreath for Mabon - Step #4

The next step to make a maple pod wreath for Mabon is to make a bow with the ribbon and hot-glue it to the ribbon loop. You can make the bow as elaborate or as simple as you wish.

Mabon Crafts: Make a Maple Pod Wreath for Mabon - Step #5

The final step to make a maple pod wreath for Mabon is to hot-glue any seasonal foliage you have around the bow for decoration. You don't have to do this but I usually add a few silk leaves in fall colors around the ribbon for aesthetic appeal.

You've now made your very own maple pod wreath for Mabon! This is great to display on your door or above the altar or in the temple to celebrate the joyous holiday of Mabon.