You've got to admit that next to turning leaves,
chestnuts are the epitome of autumn...
With such a bountiful supply, I thought that I'd string them together...so I gathered up supplies...
pulling out some beads to include with the chestnuts...
I drilled a hole through the chestnuts with my Dremel drill, using my drill press attachment which made quick work of the drilling...though I was surprised at the mess of yellow goo since the chestnuts were not yet dried out.
I decided to use rusty wire for stringing the chestnuts...I knew that they would be heavy and I wanted the ability to shape the garland of nuts into a form rather than just having it hang in a drooping loop which would have been the case if I had used string.
Including a silver (or gold) bead along with the clay and wood beads I had, added that bit of luxe. I finished off each garland with a curlicue of wire that would be decorative as well as practical for hanging.
I'm thinking that such a garland will look grand spread across the Thanksgiving table...
the rustic tones are a nice counterpoint to the linens...
and those gold beads give a touch of luxe....along with the worn silver patina of vintage flatware, its just the right amount of bling...
All of the flatware at our house is old vintage silverware...I like the mix of patterns and designs...I don't bother with shining it up...it goes into the dishwasher so its plenty clean...and once a piece becomes too worn out, it gets tossed in the art supply bucket and I pick up a few more pieces at the next estate sale...
You might notice the willow napkin rings...made by simply wrapping a slender twig of willow into a circle and twisting the ends to secure the circle. The texture of the twigs adds another layer to the tabletop...
And what I like best about these chestnut garlands...after they have graced the Thanksgiving table, they could easily hang on your Christmas tree...
Joining the Vintage Inspiration Party over at Knick of Time
and the Weekly Upcycled Link Party over at Funky Junk Interiors...