Years ago I found a photo of a reindeer made out of wine corks while searching for creative crafts on the internet. Ever since, every Christmas I make a round of them for friends and family. I never remember exactly how I do it, so each year they turn out a bit different. Some have bells, some are missing a tail, etc. I love to bring them to tree trimming parties, or use them instead of bows on Christmas gifts. And, since I love to indulge in wine, oh so often, collecting wine corks is never an issue.

One day, when we learn how to sell things on YAYDIY! I’ll offer to sell you a Winedeer. Until then, you can make them yourselves!

1. Five eclectic, decorative wine corks – real cork is best, vs. plastic.

2. A hot glue gun

3. X-acto knife

4. Red pipe cleaners

5. Gold pipe cleaners

6. Green Pipe cleaner

7. Googly eyes

8. White puffy balls

9. Red puffy balls

10. Bells

Step One: Connect the body to the neck with hot glue.

Step Two: Use an X-acto knife to carve an oval shape opening into one of the corks, near one end. Then glue it onto the neck on an angle.

Step Three: Glue the back leg onto the back of the body. Then, using the Exacto knife, carve an oval in the top of the last leg. And position it angled on the front of the next/body.

Step Four: To make the necktie: Cut a piece of green pipe cleaner that can find around the reindeer’s neck. Don’t worry, you won’t strangle him. Cut a piece of red pipe cleaner to make a nice bow. Wrap the green pipe cleaner around the bow, just before twisting the green one to seal, slide the bell on the end of the green pipe cleaner. Then twist the green ends around the middle of the red bow to hold it and the bell in place.

You may have to play around with the bow and green pipe cleaner, until they look just how you want them.

Step Five: Use the gold pipe cleaners to make antlers. Try to get the gold kind where you can visibly see the wire – that’s easiest to stick into the cork because of the sharp edge. You should be able to stick the end of the cleaners into the cork by twisting them just a bit. You can also use a dab of hot glue. Wrap a second piece of gold pipe cleaner around the middle of the antler, to give it a better shape.

Step Six: Add his eyes, Red nose (or black, if you’d like a Doner or Blitzen, vs. a Rudolf) and white fluffy tail.

Step Seven: Use brown, gold or black pipe cleaner on the bottom, in circles to make his little hoofs. Adhere with hot glue.

Step Eight: Stick an ornament hook in the middle, getting it as far into the cork as you can.

And… you are done! Enjoy and Happy Holidays!