Wreath Design 101

I am excited to share with you another post from my Holiday Series of projects and workshops. This weekend, I explored wreath making at Rolling Greens nursery. In my mind, wreath making is a lot like sculpting. I pictured myself arranging the branches, thinking about texture and how best to use color and how to group branches. In actuality, it was a bit like I had imagined and more challenging and fun too! 

This is how the base of the wreath looked when everyone began their creation. ​

One thing that surprised me is that planning and "vision" go a long way. When I arrived at the workshop, I did not have any one idea in mind, other than wanting to do something minimal and fresh. 

One thing I liked alot about wreath making was the fresh foresty smell in the air. So if you're great at it or are looking to get more experience, either way it's totally worth it! Layering the branches, while imagining the design was both relaxing and therapeutic. 

After selecting various greenery for a layer of base greens, I was ready to begin by arranging the branches. The lady beside me suggested that I start with something flat (and she looked like she knew what she was doing!) so I began to lay out cedar branches in one direction around the wreath. 

I used simple floral wire to affix the greenery. Before, I knew it I had attached a full layer of base greens. Another choice, would be to work clockwise and counter-clockwise and meet somewhere for a different effect. 

The next thing I knew, I was adding in a few green sprigs of eucalyptus. I chose eucalytpus because I love the texture, shape and smell of the leaves.  One florist advised that I consider using multiples of 3, so I wove them in 3 places around the wreath. Along with a few other textural sprigs.

To do something like this at home, you will need:

• Gardening wire
• Wire cutters 
• Grapevine wreath base 
• Various Greenery 
• Accents 
• A beverage of your choice;)

We snapped a pic of the almost finished project outside of the store. 

A FEW TIPS: 
A couple of things that I picked up along the way:

• Establish a base layer, then add your accents
• Use multiples of 3 
• Allow branches to hang freely

Next time, I would like to try grouping like branches together more for impact and working from  a planned sketch or vision. One reason, this wreath felt improvised was all of the materials and greenery were a surprise! I'll have to admit this made it more creative like a design challenge and led to a free-form design. 

I absolutely would recommend and attend this workshop again. There is another wreath workshop that I hope to attend in future. I'm not sure that I can wait until next December to create another wreath, so I am making plans to attend a Spring workshop. Do any of you have a workshop or online tutorial that you recommend? Until next time, Season's Greetings!