Bulk Natural Grapevine for Crafts: Complete Buying and Project Guide

Natural grapevine is one of the most useful and adaptable items in the craft supply world. It is flexible when wet, firm when dry, is an annual harvest of the vineyard as a byproduct of the grapes, and gives an authentic rustic texture to finished craft products that no synthetic material can come close to. Whether you’re creating wreaths for seasonal decor, are preparing for a wedding or event, have a craft business, or are stocking your classroom or studio, buying in bulk will save you money per unit. This guide will help you understand the most common varieties of bulk grapevine, where to get it, how to prepare and store it, and what the most common projects can be done with it.

Key Takeaways

  • Natural grapevine can be used for wreaths, garlands, baskets, wedding arches, centerpieces and seasonal decorations.
  • Bulk grapevine comes in three basic forms: pre-formed wreath rings (6-24 inches), loose vine rolls and garlands (15-35 feet) and raw cut grapevine stems (by the pound or bundle).
  • The best bulk sources are Factory Direct Craft (factorydirectcraft.com), Save-On-Crafts (save-on-crafts.com), eGrapevineStore (egrapevinestore.com), and Amazon (Factory Direct Craft’s Amazon storefront).
  • Grapevine is the top option for many crafters as the vines grow long trailing vines each year, according to Blue Fox Farm, it is a natural material that can be sustainably harvested.
  • Dry grapevine can be coiled for long-term storage, and rehydrated by soaking in water for 24 hours, then bending and shaping for use in future projects, or for bulk purchase.
  • eGrapevineStore sells semi-loads of about 10,000 wreath units for retailers and vendors for wholesale and commercial quantities.
  • The retail price of pre-formed wreath rings is about $1.50 to $8 per wreath, and they are even more affordable when bought in bulk packs of 12 or more.
  • Natural grapevine is biodegradable and environmentally friendly, and is a more sustainable option than synthetic craft wire or plastic-based materials.

What is Natural Grapevine for Crafts?

Natural grapevine for crafts are the long and flexible new-growth stems that are made each year by grape plants. Blue Fox Farm explains that each year a mature grape vine will generate a lot of long trailing growth that needs to be cut off annually for optimal grape production. This is a great thing for those who want to make twig obelisks, twig baskets and other rustic crafts. Grapevine wreaths, baskets, gates and other uses have kept this prolific vine one of the most popular of all natural craft-making materials.

Grapevine is a truly renewable and sustainable craft material as it is pruned annually. Each winter, grape growers need to prune back new growth to keep the plants productive. This pruning provides long flexible stems that would otherwise be composted and the secondary use in the craft market provides commercial value at no extra cost to the farmer.

What makes Grapevine ideal for Crafts?

Grapevine is ideally suited to craft applications for several reasons:

Flexibility when wet, rigidity when dry: Dry grapevine is stiff and brittle. After 24 to 48 hours of soaking it is flexible enough to be coiled, woven, and bent into complex forms. Once it’s dry in this new shape, it will stay that way forever without gluing. This property is useful for wreath forms, basket weaving and anything where the material needs to take a particular shape.

Natural tendrils and texture: Grapevine will keep its natural tendrils when dried; these are the curling secondary growth that grows along the main stem. The tendrils are a great way to add interest and texture to completed designs that can’t be achieved with wire or twig. Blue Fox Farm states that grapevine can be woven into other types of twigs and branches and can be used as a weaving material for gates, fence hurdles and screens.

Dried natural grapevine comes in a range of neutral colors from warm tan to medium brown, which will pair well with nearly any floral, seasonal or decorative element. Does not require painting or staining for most applications, but can be painted or stained.

Indefinite storage: Grapevine coiled and stored in a dry place will keep forever. Dried grapevine can be used for months or years of projects, unlike fresh flowers or organic materials that will deteriorate rapidly. This is very economical for frequent crafters and craft companies.

There are various types of Bulk Natural Grapevine available

Pre-Formed Wreath Rings

The most popular bulk format is pre-formed grapevine wreath rings, which are the most ready-to-use. The rings are hand woven from natural grapevine twigs and do not require any preparation or shaping.

Common sizes:

  • 6 inches: Ornament-size wreaths, package toppers, gift tags
  • 8-10 inches: Small door decorations/centerpiece accents
  • 12 inches: Most common decorative wreath size for seasonal decorating on doors.
  • 14-16 inches: Larger door wreaths and window displays.
  • 24 to 36 inches: Wreaths for large outdoor areas and entryways.

According to the Amazon listing for Factory Direct Craft’s 6-inch wreath pack, a pack of 12 natural dried vine round wreath frames provides these natural dried vine round wreath frames, which are perfect for any season and provide endless creative possibilities. Show the wreaths without decorations or decorate with various flowers, dried things, and ribbons to make them unique.

Bulk packs are sold in bundles of two, six, 12 or more packs, and the cost per pack decreases as the bulk size increases. Factory Direct Craft is the most widely distributed brand of pre-formed wreath rings in bulk, and the products are sold right at factorydirectcraft.com and their Amazon storefront.

Size Typical Retail Price (Single) Typical Bulk Price (12-pack)
6 inch $2.50 to $4.00 $1.50 to $2.50 per unit
8 inch $3.00 to $5.00 $2.00 to $3.50 per unit
12 inch $4.00 to $8.00 $2.50 to $5.00 per unit
18 inch $7.00 to $12.00 $4.00 to $8.00 per unit

Loose Vine Garlands and Rolls

Loose grapevine garlands are sold in roll or bundle form, usually 15-35 feet long and are used to wrap columns, drape table arrangements, make wedding arches and for adding natural texture to display structures that need to be continuous without a pre-formed ring.

Save-On-Crafts claims that their Natural Grapevine 35-foot garland is ideal for fall decor or rustic decor. Can be incorporated into a beautiful floral design, wrapped around columns or to form wedding arches. This garland is sourced in the USA and only heat treated. The garland comes rolled up and can be softened by immersing in water for a minimum of 24 hours.

Save-On-Crafts offers a variety of options by thickness and length, including a 15-foot by 3/4-inch diameter twig garland and a 15-foot dried natural grapevine twig garland.

Raw stems of vines used for making wine

The least processed and cheapest form is raw grapevine stems which are sold by the pound or as unpruned pruning bundles. Ideal for crafters who wish to create their own forms from the ground up, for large-scale projects where substantial quantities are required at the lowest price, or for gardeners who prefer to use prunings from their own grape plants.

This is the most labor intensive format as stems need to be sorted by diameter, soaked before forming, and formed while still wet. Results vary in appearance from pre-formed wreath rings, but are more versatile in terms of what can be created.

Where to Buy Bulk Natural Grapevine for Crafts

Factory Direct Craft (factorydirectcraft.com)

Factory Direct Craft is the largest direct distractor of natural grapevine craft materials in the United States, offering products both directly on their website and from their Amazon storefront. Their site description says that Factory Direct Craft has a range of rustic accents that would be ideal for a farmhouse holiday home, such as naturally dried wreaths, stars, hearts and garlands, which are ideal for adding a touch of nature to holiday decor.

They make wreath rings from 6 to 24 inches, twig wreaths in 6-, 15- and other sizes, and natural grapevine stars, hearts and specialty shapes. They offer wholesale pricing via their trade accounts for retailers and classroom bulk buyers.

Save-On-Crafts (save-on-crafts.com)

Save-On-Crafts is one of the few craft suppliers that sources the 35-foot natural grapevine garland roll from the USA. The longer roll format is ideal for events and weddings that demand a continuous garland length for architectural wrapping, table draping and arch construction.

eGrapevineStore (egrapevinestore.com)

eGrapevineStore provides the biggest bulk purchase scales available for commercial quantities. Their website states that purchasing grapevine wreaths in bulk may be a good way to save money and boost profits if you’re selling them. They sell high quality grapevine wreaths at reasonable prices by truckload (approx 10,000 per load) to retailers and event vendors.

The site also includes some standard retail quantities of grapevine decorative products for individual crafters and small businesses that do not qualify for commercial wholesale.

Amazon

Multiple grapevine craft suppliers are consolidated on Amazon, and Factory Direct Craft has the most consistently available and best reviewed Amazon storefront. Other notable Amazon listings:

  • Simoutal Grapevine Wreath 12-inch 2-pack: Hand woven with traditional natural vine, natural and environmentally friendly, durable and long lasting. Great for Christmas, Easter and Halloween decorations.
  • Available in 6-inch, 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch sizes, making it easy to buy multiple sizes for various project sizes.
  • SuperMoss Orchard Grapevine Wreath – 6 sizes, sold by various Amazon sellers, and has good scores on customer reviews.

Faire (faire.com)

Faire’s wholesale marketplace features several grapevine suppliers, such as Factory Direct Craft and American Wreaths, and the wholesale prices are available to verified retail business accounts for craft shop owners and event businesses. This platform would work better for small craft businesses than for individual crafters.

Crafts from Bulk Grapevine Preparation

Storing Dry Grapevine

Gently twist dry grapevine into a bundle and keep in a cool dry place out of the sun. Grapevines can be coiled up for storage, and being able to be stored indefinitely is a big plus, says Blue Fox Farm. A garden shed, garage or dry basement will work. Do not use plastic bags, as they retain moisture and can lead to mould inside any organic matter left in the bag.

Pre-formed wreath rings and garland rolls can be stacked and stored flat or hung on a nail or hook. Wreath rings are 12 inches in diameter and fit easily into a storage area when used in large quantities.

Soaking Grapevine before use

Save-On-Crafts says that dry grapevine garland can be softened if soaked in water for 24 hours or longer. This is for both loose vine and pre-formed rings that have become brittle and must be gently reshaped.

The soaking process: Place grapevine in a container of water at room temperature. A bathtub, a large plastic storage bin or a kitchen sink with a plug will do the job. Let the vine soak for 24-48 hours until it is very flexible when bent. Handle the vine when it is moist. As it dries, it will retain any new form it takes.

Working with Soaked Grapevine

Not cracking when bent in grapevine and not breaking through other materials when weaved. Key techniques include:

Coiling: Twisting soaked vine around itself or around a circular object to increase thickness and density of a wreath ring.

Weaving: Using a frame, fence or basket base to create a woven surface by alternating the stems over and under.

Wrapping: Twisting grapevine around a column, arch form or cylinder to produce a wrapped effect which is permanent after drying.

Bundling and tying: Bundle together several stems and tie them with natural twine or wire to create a straight or curved decoration.

Best Craft Projects for Bulk Natural Grapevine

Seasonal Wreaths

The wreath is the most common grapevine craft project. A pre-formed ring is used as a base, and seasonal decorations, flowers, ribbons, berries and ornaments are added with hot glue, wire or floral picks. Wreath forms are ideal for dried and artificial flowers, and garlands can add a lot of natural texture to table displays, according to Factory Direct Craft.

When you purchase wreath bases in bulk, you will find that you can use the same base ring to decorate and redecorate for more than one season without buying a new base for each season. The 12-inch grapevine ring can be stripped and embellished as a fall harvest wreath, a Christmas wreath and a Valentine’s Day heart wreath all in one year, changing only the embellishment.

Wedding Arches and Event Decoration

The garland format is the most convenient for events. Save-On-Crafts says the 35′ garland will fit around columns or be used to make wedding arches. A standard garden arch can be wrapped around several times with leftover for further decoration using a single 35-foot roll. Grapevine garland with battery-operated lights creates a warm and organic lighting, ideal for outdoor night activities.

One of the most successful methods to decorate a grapevine wreath or garland with battery-operated lights is to use grapevine as the base material, according to eGrapevineStore.

Baskets and Storage Containers

Raw or loose vine, patience, and the basic knowledge of basket weaving technique are necessary to weave a basket with grapevine. The vine is softened by soaking it in water and then woven around a basic wooden framework or an existing wire frame to create the basket’s structure. It has a good shape when dry. This is not a wreath project, but rather a project that results in a functional item that isn’t just for decoration.

Table Centerpieces

A centerpiece with low cost and organic appearance is created by loosely intertwining grapevines in the middle of the table with candles, seasonal flowers and foliage. The natural, coiling of the grapevine is especially suitable for harvest and autumn themes, as it conveys the impression of abundance and organic development that is suitable for the season.

Fences and Trellises for the Garden

According to Blue Fox Farm, grapevine is used to weave through metal bed frames for gates, into fence panels and much more. The vines with their textural and tendrilled vines are great for a twig archway. Grapevine is a natural, biodegradable structural material that will naturally disintegrate into soil over the years in an outdoor setting, rather than remaining a plastic or metal waste.

Grapevine’s seasonal and natural properties link it to the tradition of using natural and found materials in craft projects to make meaningful and sustainable decorations. This philosophy of using natural materials for their beauty and environmental friendliness is also evident in the seasonal craft activities in the guide to easy fall crafts for preschoolers, where leaves, acorns, and pine cones are used as the most authentic materials for fall craft projects.

Bulk Grapevine for Craft Businesses and Resellers

Bulk purchases from the sources above will offer the best cost structure for small craft businesses, event florists and resellers making finished grapevine products for sale. There are several factors that are specific to commercial buying.

Minimum quantities: Factory Direct Craft has minimum retail quantities available on their website and wholesale quantities available through their trade program. eGrapevineStore offers the most commercial quantities, including semi-loads for retailers who require thousands of units.

Consistency: All of the pre-formed wreath rings from the big suppliers are hand woven, and so each ring will be slightly different in thickness, density and precise diameter. The Amazon product description for Factory Direct Craft’s wreath rings states that handmade natural twigs can be a little different in thickness and diameter. In retail applications where consistency is important, ordering a sample before committing to bulk orders provides a quality check.

Seasonal demand: The demand for grapevines wreaths is high during the autumn (October to November) and at Christmas (November to December). Purchasing bulk stock in late summer or early fall at lower rates when demand is not as high and shipping times are not as long can be a cost-saving practice.

The advantage of the long shelf life of grapevine is only useful if there is storage space. There needs to be a lot of physical storage for a semi-load of 10,000 wreath rings before they are sold or decorated. The practical issue of inventory that cannot be stored can be avoided by planning for storage capacity before ordering commercial quantities.

The deals-focused content at A Thrifty Mom is all about the same strategic thinking that bulk purchasing for craft businesses is based on, which is to buy at the right time, in the right format, from the right supplier, to minimize per-unit cost while maintaining quality. The same tips for finding the best prices on craft supplies and household staples mentioned in the A Thrifty Mom DIY recipes guide for crafting online deals and Amazon deals are relevant to buying in bulk: Keep an eye on the prices, purchase at the right time in the season, and select the most appropriate format for your projects.

Bulk Natural Grapevine Quick Reference

Format Best For Key Supplier Approximate Bulk Price
6-inch wreath rings (12-pack) Ornaments, small decorations Factory Direct Craft (Amazon) $18 to $30 per 12-pack
12-inch wreath rings (12-pack) Standard door wreaths, crafts Factory Direct Craft, Amazon $30 to $60 per 12-pack
18-inch wreath rings (bulk) Large door wreaths, events Factory Direct Craft, eGrapevineStore $6 to $10 per unit at volume
35-foot garland roll Wedding arches, columns, events Save-On-Crafts $15 to $25 per roll
15-foot twig garland Table displays, smaller events Factory Direct Craft, Amazon $8 to $15 per unit
Raw grapevine bundles Basket weaving, custom forms Local grape farms, egrapevinestore Variable by weight
Commercial semi-load (~10,000 units) Retail resellers, wholesale eGrapevineStore Contact for pricing

Conclusion

Bulk natural grapevine is one of the most versatile and affordable natural craft materials on the market, with an unlimited shelf life, is sustainably sourced, has a unique texture that synthetic alternatives can’t match, and can be used in wreaths, garlands, baskets, event decoration and garden structures.

A 12-pack of 12-inch wreath rings from Factory Direct Craft or a 35-foot garland from Save-On-Crafts will give individual crafters plenty of material for a full season of projects at a per-unit price that is much lower than the single-unit retail price. eGrapevineStore and Faire’s wholesale marketplace offer the commercial volumes needed for grapevine product manufacturing and retailing at scale, for craft businesses and event vendors.

It is easy to prepare, dry materials, soak them before shaping, shape them while wet, and dry them in the desired shape. This process is repeated over and over, and the results are permanently shaped without any glue and naturally age into warm browns that have made grapevine one of the most recognizable and always popular natural craft materials used in all seasonal and decorative traditions.

Read the complete collection of Shani Levni‘s craft supplies, seasonal projects, and DIY resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best place to purchase bulk natural grapevine for crafts?

The top bulk sellers are: Factory Direct Craft (factorydirectcraft.com and their Amazon storefront), Save-On-Crafts (save-on-crafts.com), eGrapevineStore (egrapevinestore.com), and Amazon. Pre-formed wreath rings and garlands are the most popular and most reviewed available by Factory Direct Craft. Save-On-Crafts has a garland roll from USA that is 35 feet long. eGrapevineStore processes commercial loads (including semi-loads) for retail.

What do I do to soften dry grapevine so I can use it for my craft?

Before bending, coiling or weaving, soak dry grapevine in room temperature water for a minimum of 24 hours. The water rehydrates the vine and brings back its flexibility when it was fresh. Train the vine when it is still wet, form the vine to the desired shape and let it dry in place. Once dry, it will retain its new form.

How long will natural grapevine last in storage?

Natural grapevine coiled and stored in a cool dry place is indefinitely long. It will not break down if stored dry, so bulk buying is very economical for those who make it on a regular basis. Pre-formed wreath rings can be stacked and hung, and can be used for years.

What are the bulk sizes of grapevine wreath rings?

Bulk sizes of common wreath rings are 6 inches, 8 inches, 10 inches, 12 inches, 14 inches, 16 inches, 18 to 20 inches, and 24 inches. 12 inches is the most popular size and most commonly used for standard door and wall wreaths. Smaller sizes are popular for ornament and gift-topper applications. Slightly larger sizes are good for outdoor entry displays.

Is it environmentally sustainable to have natural grapevine?

Yes. Natural grapevine is a byproduct of annual pruning of grape vines, which are required to be pruned annually to keep them productive. Grapevine is a sustainably harvested natural material that is used in the craft market that would otherwise be composted. It is also environmentally friendly and biodegradable, meaning that it will break down over time without leaving behind plastic waste.

A grapevine garland and a wreath ring are both rings, but what is the difference?

A grapevine wreath ring is a pre-formed circular shape, usually 6” to 24” in diameter, on which to make a wreath. A grapevine garland is a long, continuous bundle of vines or twigs, 15 to 35 feet in length, for draping, wrapping, and forming long decorative elements for tables, columns, arches and mantlepieces.

Is it OK to use my own grapevine for crafts?

Yes. Pruning from any grape plant can be used for craft. Prune in late winter, before new growth starts. Trim new-growth stems as long as possible for flexibility in bending. If dry, coil and keep them out of the way, or if you intend to shape them right away, soak them immediately. Home-grown grapevine is free, and might be more flexible than commercially dried vine, because it has not been stored for as long.

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