Not Christmas Wreaths Already
September 22, 2011 at 4:44 pm 8 comments
No, don’t worry, not for you lot. I, however, seem to have slipped into that world of retail where you are always thinking at least a season ahead and consequently am beginning (in my defence, reluctantly) to think about Christmas wreaths.
Until this year, I had a proper job, which meant that any flower work had to be fitted around my shifts. That curtailed the number of wreaths I could actually get made at Christmas and meant that I would usually stop taking orders at some point. Yes, folks, people were turned away!
OK, it wasn’t like there was a queue outside the front door or anything, but there seemed to be enough demand to a) hugely inflate my ego and b) make me think there might be a bigger market out there to be tapped in following years. Anyway, to cut a long, rambling explanation short, this year I am going for it.
Which means I need to find the materials to make them with. Normally, I wouldn’t trouble myself with such nonsense for a good six weeks yet but, still in shock, I have already begun gathering materials. So far, it’s mostly holly berries and hydrangeas. I am putting them in glycerine to try to preserve them. In case this is new to you, you just mix one part glycerine (89p in Boots for 200mls) with two parts very hot water and then stand your flowers in a couple of inches of the solution and leave them for a few weeks in the shed. The idea is the flowers take up the glycerine with the water and stay soft. I have had mixed results before, and I have never tried it with berries, so I am not sure how successful it will be. If you give it a go, let me know how you get on and we’ll compare notes.
Although you’re not allowed to be better at it than me, of course.
Entry filed under: Uncategorized. Tags: British cut flowers, Christmas, English cut flowers, flowers, hydrangeas, Small businesses, wreaths.
1.
Sandra Stopford | September 22, 2011 at 6:06 pm
Of course not, oh expert one. But I will try it if only to give you the satisfaction of being far more successful than I am!
2.
jwblooms | September 23, 2011 at 9:04 pm
Thanks for the enthusiasm, Sandra, but you and I both know there is no way on earth you will actually do that!! x
3.
Gill | September 23, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Hi Jan
I have have some good results with leaves and glycerine. this year I am also trying rose hips and rowan berries. I have no idea how they will turn out.
4.
jwblooms | September 23, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Hi, Gill. I was just looking at a rowan tree last weekend and wondering if it would be excusable to nick a few of the berries! They are a lovely colour. Rose hips are good if you do them when they’re good and firm. Let me know how you get on.J
5.
Anja | September 23, 2011 at 5:38 pm
Hi! Just wondering.. Do the berries and rosehips keep their colours, or do they turn brown? Because leaves turn brown, don’t they? I have just used wax for dipping apples, to prevent them from producing ethylen in the bouquet and to keep them from getting wrinkles.
I have started to collect a lot of moss for chistmas, next year I will even start earlier!
6.
jwblooms | September 23, 2011 at 9:07 pm
Hi, Anja. The berries stay red for a while, I think, but I find that everything goes brown after a few months. I am keeping mine in the loft, which is dark, so hope that that will help preserve the colours. Fingers crossed! x
7.
Katherine | November 13, 2011 at 10:28 pm
How’s the glycerining (is there such a word?!) going? I know the feeling of always thinking ahead, my heads been full of wreaths for ages now and I can’t wait till next Christmas, as this is my last year of juggling work and making wreaths in every spare second! So I’m with you on the feeling of thinking there is a bigger market out there, hope this year goes well for you, I’m already longing for the next when it’s all ME! x
8.
jwblooms | November 16, 2011 at 9:18 am
Hi, Katherine. The glycerining (it will be a word if we keep on using it…) was not a success. The hydrangeas went brown and I don’t know why. I’ve decided not to use them. Been wrestling with the online shop all week, trying to get the logistics of sending wreaths through the post sorted – I’m too old for this and stressed already! This time next year I may be calling you for help! J x