Skip Basic Store-Bought Fall Wreaths: DIY A Cuter One With Empty Beechnut Shells

If you have an American beech (Fagus grandifolia), you know that the tree's nuts drop at this time of year. However, chances are, you've probably either stepped right over them or rounded them up and thrown them away. But with this craft DIY from Instagram creator Clare Hooper (@clarehooper), you can give them a new life, and turn them into an adorable mini fall wreath. Hooper is based in the UK, which has European beech trees (Fagus sylvatica) rather than American ones, but both types of trees produce nuts, and in either case, you can use the empty beechnut shells, or husks, for crafting.

To get started, you'll need to gather some fallen beechnuts. The exact number of beechnut husks you'll need will depend on how large your wreath will be, and how you space the husks; for example, if you decide to use the opened husks more as embellishments, along with other wreath materials, then you won't need to scoop up as many.

In addition to the beechnut husks, a wreath base is another must-have material for this fall DIY. You can either weave vines together to DIY your own wreath form or buy a premade base. At Michaels, for example, a 14-inch grapevine wreath by Ashland costs $6.49. Finally, you'll also need hot glue and other optional decorative items for your wreath (like faux pearls or beads).

Note, the Arbor Day Foundation says American beechnuts measure one-half to 1 inch in diameter, so that number is one to keep in mind when collecting your beechnuts. For this DIY, you'll want them to be ripe, as this is when they pop open to reveal the beechnuts (which are covered by shells). Once they pop open, they're basically ready for the wreath.

As Hooper explained, "The beechnut cases are doing all the work here. They already look like tiny woody flowers." You could use the empty husks as they are, or you could add some shine or color to them. Hooper, for example, adds a pearlescent ball to the center, right where the beechnut seeds once were. Whatever direction you decide to go with your fall-ready empty beechnut husks, it's a good idea to get them all set before you start to decorate your wreath.

You could decorate the wreath with only the beechnut husks, or you could use them as part of an autumn theme, pairing them with fall-colored flowers, dried leaves, twigs with berries, acorns, pine cones, and ribbon. Another idea would be to make a wreath for Halloween or Thanksgiving. For that, you could use the husks more as an accent, surrounding fake plastic spiders, mini pumpkins, or tiny vegetables. Or, you could replace the ball in the center with these small holiday motifs. Need more fall inspiration? Check out this DIY wagon wheel wreath made from Dollar Tree supplies.