This project takes the everyday shim and turns it into a dazzling, dimensional piece of art for your doorway.

Instead of using flowers or vines, you let the angles and colors of wood do the talking. The overlapping layers create movement, almost like a sunrise radiating from the center.

The best part is that you can completely customize the mood: paint it in bold jewel tones for fall, soft pastels for Easter, or even metallics for a festive holiday vibe.

Materials Needed

• 40-50 wood shims (8"-10" long)
• 1 circular wreath form (12"-14" diameter, wood or wire)
• Acrylic paint (3-4 colors: white, gray, muted gold, pastel, or chosen palette)
• 1 wooden or metal word sign (approx. 6"-8", e.g., “Hello”)
• Hot glue gun with extra glue sticks
• Small paintbrushes and foam brush
• Sandpaper (fine grit, optional)
• Ribbon or jute twine

Step-by-step Guide

Step 1: Lay out your wreath form and arrange wood shims around it, staggering lengths and angles to mimic a sunburst. This dry layout helps you visualize the flow before gluing.

Step 2: Sand the edges of the shims lightly for smoothness. Paint each shim in your chosen palette, mixing colors for a balanced, artistic look. Let dry fully.

Step 3: Glue the first layer of shims onto the wreath base, slightly overlapping the inner ring. Then add a second layer, offsetting them for depth and movement.

Step 4: Once all shims are secured, attach the word sign to the center using hot glue. You can position it so it feels balanced and welcoming.

Step 5: Finally, tie a ribbon or twine loop to the back for easy hanging.