Wood Veneer Chain Garland

Wood Veneer Chain Garland @themerrythought
There’s something so nostalgic about paper chains. I can remember making them in elementary school, for any and all occasions, in various shades of construction paper. They were usually made as a countdown for some holiday you were awaiting with breathless anticipation. Oh the joys of ripping off another chain and being one day closer! Although this chain garland isn’t one to use as a countdown, I love it for the sweet memories it evokes.
Wood Veneer Chain Garland @themerrythought
A few years ago, I saw an Anthropologie display window that had a wood chain garland and it’s been floating around in my head as something to try and I finally got around to making my own. I love the natural, simple look of wood in decor. I originally was going to use the leftover veneer I had from the lampshade we made for the Tripod Lamp, but after a few attempts that just ended up in cracked veneer, I thought I was going to have to forfeit my plans. And then Mike came to the rescue with a roll of wood veneer edging, which actually ended up being a much quicker and easier route, with no wood cracking! He’s a handy guy to have around!
Wood Veneer Chain Garland @themerrythought
The veneer edging also comes with glue on the back, so it’s convenient. It does require an iron to heat the glue and it’s a little tricky to iron something into a circle (try taking a picture of yourself doing it!), but I figured since the glue was there, I might as well use it.  If you’d rather not bother with the ironing though, you can just use a dab of superglue and then clamp it for a few minutes.
Wood Veneer Chain Garland @themerrythought
Wood Veneer Chain Garland @themerrythought
What you need:
veneer edging (mine was White Birch)
-scissors
-ruler
-iron
-pint mason jar (or something round you can wrap the veneer around while ironing)
-aluminum foil
Wood Veneer Chain Garland @themerrythought
Wood Veneer Chain Garland @themerrythought
How to do it:
Cut the veneer edging into strips, mine were about 10 inches long. (Try making a few with paper to see what length you like). Wrap a pint mason jar (or something that is round that you can iron on) with aluminum foil. The foil keeps the veneer from sticking to the glass, as a bit of glue might leak while ironing, the foil easily peels off the veneer. Wrap a strip of veneer edging around the jar, overlapping the ends a bit. Heat with an iron for a few seconds (I placed a piece of kraft paper over the veneer so glue wouldn’t get on the bottom of my iron).  If needed, while the glue is still warm, adjust veneer (don’t burn yourself!).  Repeat with remaining strips, linking the strips together (before gluing) to form a chain.
Wood Veneer Chain Garland @themerrythought
Have you started any Christmas decorating yet? So far, mine has just consisted of a few blog projects. 🙂 I usually try to wait till after Thanksgiving, but for some reason this year, I’ve been soo ready to get all my Christmas decorations out right now…I think it was all that snow we had last week!

-Manda

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