Sometimes a beautifully decorated wreath leaves the workshop for delivery and disaster strikes.  In one particular instance this year, the delivery crew was about to hang a wreath on a nail outdoors, at the customer’s request, when a bird flew over and deposited a gift – a large gift – smack dab in the middle of the ribbon.  The ribbon was velvet, and no amount of cleaning would have sufficed.  So back came the wreath for a new bow.  The wreath pictured below was not the one described, but we discovered that this lovely red satin ribbon was unsuitable for outdoor use, since water would stain the fabric, so we used it only in indoor conditions.  No birds will get to this one!

A New York City customer requested a wreath with a Yale theme, to be sent as a gift to friends in Cambridge.  The blue and white fabric ribbon was specially purchased – we have blues, but blue and white was called for – and the wreath was embellished with fresh rosemary (for remembrance), since a good memory is helpful in a collegiate setting.  There are also branches representing branches of knowledge, and pearls, for pearls of wisdom.  We don’t do things by halves.  The wreath was named “Lux et Veritas.”

We had quite a few orders this year for fruit themed wreaths, a number of which will appear on this website in the coming days.  Real fruit is sometimes a problem if the wreath will hang outdoors – there have been instances of flies gathering around dried apples and oranges on a warm winter’s day.  While we often steer away from artificial elements, the fake apple, white balls, and glistening pearls worked beautifully with the ribbon.

For the past few days we’ve shown some classic looks, filled with holly and plaid and berries, but we do many wreaths with a more formal or exotic theme as well.  This wreath, suitable for indoors because of the gauzy burgundy bow and dried hydrangeas, showcases a dried protea blossom surrounded by magnolia leaves.  The leaves are attached so their velvety undersides frame the flower.  A bit of silver paint embellishes the lotus pods and sweet gum balls.

A customer asked for a classic Christmas wreath with a bit of childhood whimsy.  The decorator chose a cheerful red, green and white ribbon, added classic holiday elements of pine cones, berries and holly, along with a birch twig, and as a final touch inserted a little Santa.  The toy might not be to everyone’s taste, and can easily be removed without spoiling the overall design of the wreath, but we think it fulfilled the order perfectly.