Cranberry Holiday Wreath craft

Wreath:
1 (12-inch) evergreen wreath
1 thin needle
5 yards strong cord or waxed dental floss, cut into 5 (36-inch) lengths
1 (12 ounce) bag Ocean Spray� Fresh Cranberries

Cranberry Ball:
1 (5-inch) stryofoam ball (or choice of sizes)
Dark red craft paint (suitable for painting styrofoam)
1 (12 ounce) bag Ocean Spray� Fresh Cranberries
1 box metal pins with small flat heads, approximately
    1-inch long (approximately 300 quantity)
1 (12-18-inch) length 3/4-inch wide red ribbon
1 (48-inch) length 3/4-inch wide red ribbon

To make the wreath: Start with one 36-inch length of thread and a thin needle. Knot one end of the thread and add Ocean Spray� Fresh Cranberries one at a time by piercing through the center with the needle. Continue to end of the thread; secure end with a large knot. Repeat with the 4 remaining lengths of thread. To make stringing cranberries easier, use waxed dental floss or try waxing the needle and thread with beeswax. Wrap each strand around the wreath 3-4 times.

To make the ball: Paint Styrofoam ball with red paint. Set aside to dry.

Note: painting the Styrofoam ensures that any spaces between the cranberries will be less noticeable. Insert pins through each cranberry and press into foam, placing berries as closely together as possible. Continue until all areas of the foam are covered with cranberries. Note: completing a section of berries close together is easier than continuing a single row all the way around the sphere.

To assemble: Lay the 12-18'' ribbon length over the top of the wreath with the ends hanging down into the middle. Pin each end of the ribbon to the ball so it hangs in the middle of the wreath. To complete, attach the 48'' ribbon at the top of the ball and tie a bow.

Wreath will last approximately one week. Discard once berries begin to soften. To extend the life of your wreath, you can spray with an even coating of shellac. To avoid staining, do not place directly on lightly-painted surfaces or linens.

CAUTION: for the safety of wildlife and birds, do not use shellac if you plan to hang wreath outdoors.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.