DIY Jigsaw Puzzle Wreath (or, how to bring new life to a puzzle with missing pieces) by Brenda Ponnay for Alphamom.com

Holidays

How to Make a Jigsaw Puzzle Holiday Wreath

Do you have a dissectologist (aka, a jigsaw puzzle fan) in your life for whom you’re looking for a unique gift? Or, maybe you have a few jigsaw puzzles in your game closet that you’d love to upcycle into a craft? We all know how it goes… that 1000 piece puzzle seemed like such a good idea until pieces have gone missing after several years and now your family is frustrated. Well, have no fear we can recycle that puzzle into a really interesting gift! For the holidays! A jigsaw puzzle wreath! Piece out!

Supplies you need to create your Jigsaw Puzzle Wreath

500-1000 piece puzzle with missing pieces that you cannot donate
cardboard ring (we cut our own using two concentric bowls as a guide)
spray paint in your favorite colors
hot glue gun and plenty of extra sticks
decorative ribbon (optional)
our handy banner printable (click here to print)

How to make a Jigsaw Puzzle Wreath

First you will need to paint your jigsaw puzzle pieces. This is probably the most tedious part of this craft but the end result looks the fantastic. You could glue all your pieces onto the cardboard ring first and spray paint it later all one solid color (or hand paint?) but spray painting them beforehand will give you more variegated color and interest.

You can spray paint the jigsaw puzzle when it’s all put together or lay the pieces upside up in one even layer and paint them. I did this in five steps because I wanted five different colors for my pieces. Something cool I realized as I did this craft was the negative space pattern the puzzle pieces left behind on the paper I spray-painted them on. I recommend saving the over-spray paper and using it as wrapping paper!

And as always, make sure you are spray-painting outside or in a very well-ventilated area (and follow the directions on the spray paint. Obviously this step should be done by an adult).

After the pieces are all painted and dried, collect them up and put them on separate plates for easy use. Then one by one, glue them to your cardboard wreath in any pattern you like. I went for an overlapping ombre pattern but my daughter opted for simple minimalistic clumping. Whatever you decide to do it will be fun and your jigsaw puzzle-loving family and friends will love it!

When all the pieces were glued down to our liking we added a pretty ribbon for decoration and a banner with a punny play on the word “pieces.” Then punch a hole in the cardboard and hang for good cheer or wrap you wreath in that jigsaw puzzle paper wrapping and gift!