Important tips for wreath-making...

A few of my customers have asked me to compile a list of tips for making wreaths...

1. Do not skimp on product! Buy the highest quality, for a wreath is only as good as its components. Always buy a bit more than you think you need...you almost always use more than you think, and don't worry...you'll use that extra product where you least expect it in the future!

2. Choose one or more items to build your wreath around--a doll, a sign, two masks, three fairies, four flags, five pumpkins...whatever you choose as your central items, make sure you place them FIRST upon the wreath before anything else--these will set the tone and theme of your creation.

3. Plan ahead. The more pre-planning (and prior envisioning) you do for a wreath before beginning, the better the wreath. If you just "throw together" a wreath, it will look exactly like you "threw it together".

4. Look beyond the craft stores for wreath items...antique stores are great...party supply stores...garage sales...ebay and etsy...I've even found some superb items at Target, of all places!

5. Think outside the box--a great wreath is rarely only flowers...think mixed media...think different textures and fabrics...think "how has this holiday or theme never been expressed before?"

6. Learn different ways of tying bows (there are lots of online tutorials), and experiment with all of them--don't get in a bow rut.

7. Decide on 2 or three primary colors, and try to stick to this throughout your wreath...of course, the one exception to this guideline is a wreath whose theme is many, many colors--then go crazy, but still stick within color families (pastels look good with pastels, primaries look better with other primaries, etc...)

8. Don't forget the greenery! Often greens and leaves are the little things that make or break a wreath.

2 New Summer Wreaths just listed in Etsy shop!

I just listed two new summer wreaths in my Etsy shop...an OM wreath (with a hand carved wooden sign from Nepal), and a RELAX summer wreath (with jungle roses and sea shells).




How are you going to adorn your front door this summer?

New Summer Patriotic Wreath just listed in Etsy shop!

I've just added a spectacular Summer Patriotic Wreath into my shop on Etsy...

Let Freedom Ring Patriotic Americana Celebration Wreath...Memorial Day/ July 4th/ President's Day/ Veteran's Day/ Summer...FREE SHIPPING



I've also put a special wreath on a super sale for Mother's Day...

MUST SEE doll shop on Etsy!

I just wanted to introduce to everyone a wonderful Waldorf doll maker in South Africa who has an etsy shop: "chalbaby". We have a custom doll made by her named "Stormy", and she is truly a work of art (she has phenomenal prices, too, which probably won't last long as she gains in popularity)...so check her out!

Here's the link to her shop:
chalbaby

Waldorf-ish Question...

Okay...here's a question for all you naturalistic and Waldorf-ish parents...we don't have cable or broadcast TV in our home, but I sometimes feel this deep longing to share some cartoons and movies with my children--you know, that cinema that touched me so personally, so idealistically, so spiritually growing up (also in a home without TV), that I have been irrevocably changed and enriched as a result. How do you use technology in your home?

ADorAblE Doll Giveaway!

I just had to share this giveaway with my blog followers!

Louie Louie Bebe makes some of the most AMAZING dolls--my first doll purchase on Etsy was actually from her.

She's currently having a giveaway on her blog for an exquisite doll. To enter, go to her blog at:

http://louielouiebebe.typepad.com/louie-louie-bebe/2010/04/doll-giveaway.html

Good luck! (But I selfishly hope we win, LOL).

Sometimes patience is best...

One of my personal favorites--the Meditation Wreath--FINALLY sold today after being in my shop for quite some time...I was somewhat amazed that it didn't sell right away, as I loved it so much...it's funny how we all have different tastes and preferences...I used to just create what I liked, but not everyone likes what I like, so it's been good for me to "branch out" and experiment with creating wreaths that I would never personally place in my home, and yet some of these sell the fastest! (Perhaps my tastes are a bit outside the box...or else perhaps I must remember that there are as many different viewpoints as there are artistic styles!) A good lesson for me, either way!

SOLD already!!

Oh my goodness--the beach wreath sold within 6 hours of being posted in my Etsy shop (and to someone who has ordered from me before)!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU--your appreciation gives me such joy :)...

I'd better get cracking on the other two summer wreaths I'm ready to make!

Newest Wreath on ETSY

I just uploaded my newest wreath in my ETSY shop...
CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT!

Preparing for summer...

Just finished my first summer wreath (will be photographing it over the next two days and getting it up into my etsy shop)...

HINT: it's been a BEACH :)

Have two more wreaths ready to be made, one for July 4th, and one with a lovely hand-carved wooden sign from Nepal as the central piece.

Does anyone have suggestions on how to photograph wreaths well? Everyone who has bought a wreath from my etsy shop has told me that "the photos just don't do it justice"--and--"you must take better photographs". SO--I've had two suggestions--buy a more expensive camera (sigh...) and buy professional lighting equipment.

I'd appreciate any suggestions you all might have--THANKS for the input!