Craft a Pistachio Nut Shell Wreath

The finished pistachio nut wreath.

       The pistachio tree is long-lived, possibly up to 300 years. The trees are planted in orchards, and take approximately seven to ten years to reach significant production. Production is alternate-bearing or biennial-bearing, meaning the harvest is heavier in alternate years. Peak production is reached around 20 years. Trees are usually pruned to size to make the harvest easier. One male tree produces enough pollen for eight to twelve drupe-bearing females. Harvesting in the United States and in Greece is often accomplished using equipment to shake the drupes off the tree. After hulling and drying, pistachios are sorted according to open-mouth and closed-mouth shells, then roasted or processed by special machines to produce pistachio kernels. Read more...

 Supply List:

• decorative ribbon
• hot glue and hot glue gun
• clean pistachio nut shells
• sand paper
• cardboard circle cut out
• needle and thread to match ribbon

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cut a circular wreath shape from thin cardboard to be the backside of this nutty little wreath. 
2. Cut also a hole in the middle of the cardboard for the ribbon prior to the assembly of the shells.
3. I had enough pistachio shells for this doll sized wreath after consuming just a snake size bag of the nuts. 
4. Clean the shells and then sand off the back side of each half slightly so that the shells will adhere better to the glue and cardboard.
5. Squeeze enough glue as you go to stick down two shells side-by-side. until you have circled your wreath and filled the space entirely.
6. Add the decorative ribbon and tack a small bow at the top with a needle and thread. 
7. Now hang the doll's Thanksgiving wreath inside their dollhouse just in time for company!

Right, clean and collected pistachio shells. Center, gluing the shells side-by-side. Right the finished wreath without ribbon.

How pistachio nuts are harvested and processed.