Boston Flora

Tag: easels

  • Wreath of the Day – Easier with Easels

    This year we were especially fortunate to receive an additional supply of easels for our designers to use. Former member Sandra Ray brought in her own easel, made by her husband, sometime in the early 1990’s, and we were all envious. Used to working flat on tables, we discovered we could better envision our designs and achieve a more accurate balance and placement if we worked upright. Not only that, we saved wear and tear on our backs! Another intrepid member husband, John Christians, constructed our first set of easels in his back yard. Last year we realized we were running short on easels, and member Patti Quinn approached her very talented son, Zachary Hardoon, of Cannon Hill Woodworking, to put together more for our use, which he did, donating his time and skill to the project. We all realized this was a bit like asking John Singleton Copley to paint a sign, or Frederick Law Olmsted to weed a garden, but we are basically shameless. Thank you, Cannon Hill, for making this year so efficient, and we urge you all to visit the website link above, and follow them on Instagram #cannonhillwoodworking. Beneath the wide shot of part of our workshop, showcasing some of the empty easels, is a trio of wreaths hanging on them, demonstrating how critical they are to the success of our designs.

  • Wreath of the Day 2011 – Loading In

    Wreath of the Day 2011 – Loading In

    Sunday night before the official Wreath Week kick off is a busy time for members of The Garden Club of the Back Bay.  A small group arrives at The First Lutheran Church with cars filled with supplies.  Two or three cars have come from our storage facility with saved materials from the prior year, including tools, tables, easels and chairs.  A word about our easels – a number of years ago a member’s husband put together an easel for her to use when decorating wreaths.  Up until that time we decorated flat on tables, then hung the wreaths on hooks to check bow placement, wreath shape, and overall balance of design.  Often we had to fuss over the wreath to amend mistakes – bows placed at 11:00 rather than centered, or decorative clusters on matched pairs which simply didn’t line up.  When we saw the easel, we knew what we had to do.  Member Bev Christians offered the services of her immensely talented husband, and over one summer he hammered together fabulous folding easels large enough to hold a matched pair, with handles and hooks, yet light enough to transport easily.  We ordered more the following year, since every decorator wanted one.  Now our wreaths come out right the first time around.  Below is a matched pair on one such easel.