Create a Rustic Cornucopia

From its Greek origins, the cornucopia, or horn of plenty, has evolved from a symbol of harvest time to a familiar decoration for Thanksgiving. Try making this rustic cornucopia for your dining table centerpiece.

By: Melissa Caughey

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Photo By: Images courtesy of Melissa Caughey

Photo By: Image courtesy of Melissa Caughey

Photo By: Images courtesy of Melissa Caughey

DIY Cornucopia: Getting Started

This cornucopia project took just under an hour to complete. Here's what you need: chicken wire / wire cutters / work gloves (optional) / measuring tape / 1 yard of burlap (available at local fabric stores) / scissors / raffia / glue gun / hot glue sticks / marker. With wire cutters, cut a piece of chicken wire into a 20"x 20" section. Be sure that one side of your chicken wire square consists of the finished edge of the chicken wire. You might want to wear long sleeves and a pair of work gloves. Chicken wire can cause scratches.

DIY Cornucopia: Step 1

With the finished edge of the chicken wire serving as the cornucopia's opening, begin rolling the chicken wire into the shape of a cone. It is easiest to start at the pointier end of the cone first. Bend the rough edges of the chicken wire to join the sides together.

DIY Cornucopia: Step 2

Once your cone shape is complete, bend the pointier end up just a bit to help create the look of the cornucopia.

DIY Cornucopia: Step 3

Spread the burlap out. Cut a 4-inch by approximately 5-foot strip. Beginning at the pointier end of the cornucopia, begin to tightly wrap and glue the burlap around the wire cornucopia. Be sure to leave about 3 inches of burlap overhanging the cornucopia's tip.

DIY Cornucopia: Step 4

Continue to wrap and glue the burlap along the wire, cutting more strips of burlap as needed.

DIY Cornucopia: Step 5

As you reach the wide opening of the cornucopia, leave a 2-inch overhang of burlap.

DIY Cornucopia: Step 6

Place your cornucopia on top of the spread out burlap. Since each cornucopia is uniquely sized, wrap the burlap around the opening of the cornucopia to determine the circumference of the opening. Use a marker and mark where the two ends of the burlap meet. Set the cornucopia aside and find your markings. Add an extra 4 inches to the measured circumference and cut a piece of burlap 18" x the circumference of your cornucopia + 4 inches. Create a circular lining for the cornucopia with this fabric and neatly tuck it into the cornucopia.

DIY Cornucopia: Step 7

Adjust the burlap's circumference at the cornucopia's entrance and glue the lining into the cornucopia around the opening rim. Fold and glue the 2" overhang from the outside burlap onto the lining. This makes a nice clean edge. With your hand, gently tuck and adjust the lining inside the cornucopia. On the pointier end of the cornucopia, fold the 3" burlap overhang onto the end, tucking, gluing and cutting as necessary.

DIY Cornucopia: Step 8

Returning to the burlap fabric, cut three 1-inch by 5-foot strips and loosely braid them together. Wrap the braid around the opening of the cornucopia and glue into place. Continue wrapping and gluing the braid at an angle around the cornucopia until you reach the end. Make another braid as necessary (I used two). Finally, loosely wrap and glue some long strips of raffia around the cornucopia. Trim off any excess burlap strings. Fill your cornucopia with Indian corn, gourds, artichokes, pomegranates, apples, dried hydrangeas, bittersweet or cranberries.

Create a Rustic Cornucopia

Related To:

Shop This Look

DIY Cornucopia: Getting Started

DIY Cornucopia: Step 1

DIY Cornucopia: Step 2

DIY Cornucopia: Step 3

DIY Cornucopia: Step 4

DIY Cornucopia: Step 5

DIY Cornucopia: Step 6

DIY Cornucopia: Step 7

DIY Cornucopia: Step 8

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