One of my co-workers had seen a wreath that I displayed up at work a couple of weeks ago and she told me that she would love for me to make her another wreath. She bought a lovely magnolia wreath from me last year and she was saying that she wanted a "springtime" wreath. She was going to be having a party at her house in February and she needed a colorful wreath to put on her door. Usually when someone asks for a special order I always tell them to give me specifics (i.e. shape, color, any ribbon, any sign or ornaments, etc), but all she wanted was lots of color! I want the customer to be completely happy with their wreath and I want it to look like they had it pictured in their head, but it's always fun to have complete creative freedom as well!
So I headed off to the craft store after work and I was very excited to see that they had their new shipment of spring flowers on display - I was in heaven to say the least! I made my way through the floral section picking up stem by stem and imagining in my head what this was going to look like. Then off to the ribbon isle to pick the perfect match for the purple/yellow explosion of flowers to be! I found this gorgeous purple to pink faded ribbon and held it up to the flowers. It was perfect. The weird thing is they have the same ribbon all the time, the selection never really changes, but I discover new rolls each time. I had never seen this ribbon before, but it has always been there. I have just never needed it, so I don't even see it; I go into the store with selective blinders on!
Anyways, I paid for everything and finally got home. I couldn't wait to start putting this one together. With some wreaths, it takes me a while and no matter what I do or how I arrange them, I can't seem to get them just right. That was not the case with this wreath - it all went together like clock-work! I had a hard time parting with this one. I pictured what it would look like on the front door of our new house (that we haven't even started to build yet), but then I thought to myself I can always make another one just for me!
I took the wreath up to work the next day and everyone loved it. My co-worker was very excited and she took a whole stack of business cards from me to hand out to her guests at the party! Hopefully I will get some new customers soon!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Garden Party
Monday, January 26, 2009
Faith, Hope and Love
Here are the cross arrangements and the wreath that I was talking about in a previous post. They are the ones that I am donating to CuteframesbyK's project - for the Hospice patients and families. I decided to do a set of cross arrangements - the "Faith, Hope and Love crosses".
The "Faith Cross" combines the black metal cross with bright red roses and rich greenery and it spans 21 inches tall, 15 inches wide and 3 inches deep. Out of the three crosses to me this one appears strong and bold so I decided that it should be the "Faith Cross". The simple definition of faith is believing without proof, and you have to be strong to believe without having proof.
This is the "Hope Cross". The delicate white flowers are entwined around the brown metal cross. This arrangement measures 19 inches tall, 15 inches wide and 4 inches deep. The colors of this wreath are so peaceful and I thought that this seemed like the perfect cross for Hope. Hope is defined as the desire and search for a future good; it is difficult but not impossible to attain with God's help.
And finally the "Love Cross". A single pink peony and various pink berries lay across a brown metal cross. This arrangement measures 20 inches tall, 12 inches wide and 4 inches deep. Aside from the colors of this arrangement being pink, I decided that this should be the Love cross because the shape of the cross at each end looks to me like a heart. The heart is a recognizable symbol of love. God tells us that we are supposed to love one another.
I have also made the "Faith in God" wreath. I saw this sign at the craft store and knew that it would be perfect for the middle of the wreath. The sign reads "Great strength comes from faith in God". I also wanted the colors of the wreath to be very bright and cheerful. I am very pleased with the way it turned out.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Business As Usual
The girls at work go crazy over any wreaths that I bring up there. When I brought one of the new Valentine's wreaths up to work, my supervisor loved it so much that she wanted me to make her one that was similar, but round instead of oval. So I created this lovely beauty!
I brought it up to work this morning and - you won't believe it - I got two more orders from a couple of the other girls!!! I'm going to have a very busy weekend! Woohoo!
For a Good Cause
I received a message from CuteframesbyK (a fellow Etsian) the other day. She has a wonderful project that she is working on where she is sending bereavement baskets and prayer blankets to patients and family members of patients in Hospice care. She contacted me and asked if I would be willing to donate some of my wreaths or arrangements.
Of course I said yes, not only is this a noble cause, but it is something that is very close to my heart. My Grandma was diagnosed with ovarian cancer June 2007 and she passed away May 2008. She had bought an Easter wreath from me the beginning of 2008 and she hung it up right above her TV so she could stare at it all day. She said that it was so cheerful! My Grandma also had hospice workers care for her the last week she was alive and they were absolutely wonderful!
CuteframesbyK thank you so much for including me in your very special project. I feel very honored and I am glad that I can contribute something to brighten someone else's day!
You can read more about the project here on her blog:
I will post the wreaths and arrangements on my blog after I get them made up!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
WANTED: More Hours in a Day
Wow, I feel like I never have enough time to blog, let alone do anything else! I have a part-time job, I am currently making wreaths and some arrangements, I have orders for three wreaths (that is a very good thing though!) - I have materials spread out everywhere - I am starting a new workout routine, and I have to cook and clean! Where does the day go? If I didn't have such a wonderful and supportive husband I don't know what I would do!
Okay enough complaints! The next post won't be so negative. I just needed to vent!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Eat Your Heart Out!
I know that Valentine's Day is still a month away, but since I have been making Valentine's wreaths for about a month already I figured I would start posting the wreaths that I have made so far. Enjoy!
The inspiration for this first wreath came from the heart-shaped sign in the middle. I saw it in a store and knew that I had to create a wreath based on that sign - it was just too cute to pass up!
I found the sign for this wreath when I was in Hobby Lobby. It wasn't even in the same area as the Valentine decorations, but the message was perfect! It reads "All Because Two People In Love".
When I was walking through the floral department in Hobby Lobby one day, I saw these anthurium flowers! I thought that they resembled hearts and knew that I wanted to create a tropical Valentine's wreath using them.
Finally, I found this "LOVE" sign in the Valentine's section of the store and knew that I wanted to make a sweet, delicate looking wreath.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Love Is In The Air
Great news! My boss is letting me display a wreath up at work in the waiting area in hopes that one of the customers or other employees might buy it! He loves the wreaths and thinks that they are just gorgeous! At Christmas time, he bought one to give away as a raffle prize at our employee Christmas meeting.
So I have had this wreath up there since the beginning of the week. I was hopeful that it would sell, but I didn't know if people would realize that it was for sale. Well, just this morning one of the customers loved it so much that she decided to buy it! I am so excited! It is one of my favorite Valentine's Day wreaths.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Nature's Palette
I would like to introduce the newest creation to add to my floral collection -- Nature's Palette. I found this vase at Hobby Lobby and thought it was so beautiful! I got home with no flowers at all; partly because the floral stems were not on sale last week and partly because I had spent a chunk of change on the four other vases that I had bought - but that is a different story! So I get home and look through my floral inventory which is limited. I was not expecting to find anything that would match at all, and too my amazement I had every single stem in the picture, even the bright yellow magnolia stems! I was so excited and just had to start making the arrangement right away. And voila! Here is what I came up with.
To see more pictures of this arrangement and others check out http://www.southerngirlflorals.etsy.com/.
To add to my enjoyment today, I made my first sale on Etsy! I know I have already made sales on eBay, but this is different. This is a place where no one really knows about me yet and I do not have that rapport with my customers like I do on eBay. I hope that this is a sign of things to come!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Looking Back
Okay so today I'm just not feeling motivated at all to start any new wreaths! So, I have decided to just list a few of my favorites here for your viewing pleasure! In no particular order...
Fall Fiesta Wreath
A Heartfelt Welcome Wreath
A Summer in Tuscany Wreath
One Nation, Under God
Yuletide Treasure Wreath
Saturday, January 10, 2009
In with the New
Wow! My first blog post which I think is fitting at the first of the year! In my blog I am planning on focusing most of my attention on my designs and creations. So let me start out by telling you a little about me.
Making artificial wreaths and arrangements is truly my passion! I have been creating wreaths, swags and floral arrangements for family and friends, and they have always urged me to share my creations with others, so I am giving it a shot!
Let me start off with some New Year's Resolutions (or maybe just New Year's Thoughts) for my wreath making endeavor:
1. I want to buy a map and put a pushpin in each place I have shipped a wreath! Just knowing that something that I have made is half way across the country is the greatest feeling in the world!
So far:
- Ohio
- South Carolina
- Virginia
- Mississippi
- Texas
- By the way: check out http://www.southerngirlflorals.etsy.com/
4. I really want this economy to turn around, but I guess that is more of a wish than anything.
5. I want to enjoy every moment!
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