The use of vines and willow branches for weaving and shaping is nothing new. But did you know that you can also use the dry shoots of the clematis? With the right variety, you can use the clippings in decorative ways and even craft ideas that are actually intended for common vines and willows. Which varieties are best suited for decoration from clematis vines and what could you make with them?
Which varieties are best to use?
All varieties that form thick tendrils are suitable. Usually these are the ones that you should cut regularly, so you will actually get the necessary craft materials quite often. TheCommon clematis(Clematis vitalba) is often used for this purpose because it is optimal. But also the mountain clematis (Clematis montana) offers the necessary requirements.
How do you prepare clematis vines?
When the plant is cut back in late winter, the vines are usually well dried out and ready to use. Those that you would like to use for craft purposes, but not immediately, but only weeks or months later, can be stored until then. It is important that you choose a dry storage location, because if it is too moist, the shoots can begin to rot.
What decorations can be made from clematis tendrils
From wreaths to decorative balls to...homemade lampshadesPretty much anything your imagination can come up with is possible. How about one of these ideas:
Turn a wreath and process it further
A clematis wreath looks very pretty in itself, but is also a basis for other decorations made from clematis vines. Depending on the diameter of the wreath you want, use vines of any length that you wrap around each other. If necessary, you can use twine or floral wire to tie it down. They can also be expanded into nests.
You can then conjure up a dream catcher from wreaths. Integratea simple macrameas a net and hang smaller wreaths on the larger one. Of course, you can also add other decorations such as pompoms, tassels or beads.
Make decorative plates out of clematis vines
Combine willow, dogwood, and clematis to make anything you want. The special thing is that all three shoots have different colors, creating a more colorful decoration of clematis tendrils.
Hanging lampshade
A lampshade with a natural look will be an eye-catcher in any room and even more so if it is homemade. You can start it with a wreath for the opening. Then wrap all the other vines around it as a base to create a beautiful woven basket.
A small opening from which you have created a spherical hood can then be placed directly over the light bulb. Or you can make a lampshade with a large opening and attach this shade to the socket with the opening facing down by inserting the cable through your woven work of art.
Our favorite: Luminous decorative balls for indoors and outdoors
Although grape vines are used in the instructions, clematis vines are also ideal, as is also explained in the description. After you have finished forming the ball, fill it with some straw and thenwith an LED string of lights. Attach hanging string and let the beauty shine!
Process green shoots into macrame for lanterns
A real macrame is hardly possible with the rather stubborn shoots, but you can imitate it. Two long and thicker shoots are bent in the middle and become the supporting elements for the base of the holder. The horizontal supports are tied around the thick shoots all around and in rows at a distance. The glass will later be placed in the resulting “pocket”. So make sure it is big enough, but not too big. You can then take the handles together and tie them together so you can hang the whole thing up.
The special thing about this idea with green shoots are the delicate leaf tendrils with which the plant normally holds on to its climbing aid. These make the hanging light look even more romantic and fairytale-like. Doesn't it somehow remind you of Disney's Rapunzel?
An idea for such a decoration, but made of macrame,can be found here.
Weaving a basket from clematis
Practical and beautiful at the same time: A woven basket can not only be used decoratively, but also to carry various things (e.g. garden tools from the shed to the bed or perhaps mushrooms from the forest home). The video instructions below explain how you can make a basket yourself from clematis vines like the one in the title picture.
Cover photo:@guillaume.caruso.vannerie/ Instagram
