Boston Flora

Tag: Ribbon

  • Wreath of the Day, From the Archives – Luxury Ribbon

    When we started our Holiday Wreath Project, we used a stiff artificial ribbon for our bows, wired (mostly) but made with a flocked faux velvet side backed by a shiny paper side. It was inexpensive, but wide enough to be showy from a distance. Creating lovely loops was a bit taxing when the paper was so uncooperative, but we had a variety of colors from which to choose which met our needs. At one point, a few better quality ribbons were acquired, on sale, from Jacobson’s, big box stores, and craft centers. These were so much more fun to work with, but in order to maximize our profits, we began to charge an extra $5 for “luxury ribbon.” Some customers were quick to add the cost on to their orders, but the problem was this – our decorators rebelled! They only wanted to design around the far more attractive bows, and were using them on orders which did not qualify for the upgrade. That was clearly unfair to those who paid extra, so the following year, we simply made an executive decision to use better ribbon on every order. We do try to find things on sale, and members who spot bargain materials during the course of the year grab them up, but the project became a lot more interesting once we opted for the silks and brocades, velvets and taffetas. Here is a pretty example from 2010.

    Today’s Wreath of the Day Sponsor is Francine Crawford, one of the project co-chairs, who really likes nice ribbon.

  • Holiday Wreaths 2011 – How We Determine Price

    Holiday Wreaths 2011 – How We Determine Price

    You have many wreath buying options during the holidays, and may wonder why you should spend, say, $30 for a standard wreath with a bow when you can buy a wreath with a bow at the supermarket for less.  Our good friends Penny and Ed Cherubino, who among their many talents maintain www.BostonZest.com, created a video of our Wreath Co-Chair, Margaret Pokorny, who demonstrates how to make a bow.  We must point out a few important facts.  First, the fabric ribbon we use, a minimum of 2 1/2″ wide, is of the highest quality and is wired on the edges.  You really cannot create our bows with paper ribbon, and if the ribbon isn’t wired, you’ll have something very floppy in hand.  Second, while Margaret makes this look easy, a certain amount of hand strength is needed to twist the loops together tightly.  It may take Margaret five minutes to make a bow – it takes most of us a bit longer.  Ribbon costs vary widely, but we assure you, we’re not making a big profit from the sale of bows.  As you can see from our wonderful wreath pictures, however, the bows are a major design statement, and we won’t send out any wreath with a substandard bow.  That’s why you pay what you pay.  To order, click here.  To view the terrific video, click below to visit this YouTube address:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Od4RWBu6sw

     

  • Garden Club of the Back Bay Wreath of the Day – Darkly Elegant

    When the light is right, burgundy ribbon can help create a richly elegant wreath.  Try not to put burgundy in a dark place, however, or the impact will be lost.

  • Garden Club of the Back Bay – Sophie’s Wreath

    When member Linda Zukowski brought her granddaughter Sophie in to The First Lutheran Church of Boston to help choose ribbon for the family wreath, little Sophie immediately spotted a glittery green and red polka dot bow.  She also loves birds.  Co-President Jackie Blombach took Sophie’s wreath design very seriously, and the finished product was everything we could have wished for!

  • Garden Club of the Back Bay Wreath of the Day – Ribbons of Every Color

    Our ribbon selection is extensive, but we must warn you that each year the supply changes, so we can never promise an exact duplicate of a wreath or bow you may see on this web site.  The dark gold pictured here is especially handsome.

  • Garden Club of the Back Bay Wreath of the Day – Matched Pairs

    We have to admit, we rather dread the matched pair orders.  Getting two (and sometimes three or four) wreaths to coordinate is a challenge.  Is one bow too high?  Did we run out of a certain seed pod?  Is there enough ribbon for all the bows?  Somehow, we do them, and we do them very, very well, as these wreaths designed by former President Margaret Pokorny demonstrate.

  • Garden Club of the Back Bay Holiday Wreaths – Light and Bright

    Often, wreaths are hung in dimly lit vestibules or hallways, and must be designed with that in mind.  Francine Crawford used lime green ribbon and plenty of gold for this wreath, destined for a shadowed entrance.