While I’ve been designing trees and wreaths for our Christmas Tree Festival, it occurred to me that I’ve never made a wreath for myself – I always seem to give my completed pieces away. I love my Joyful Wreath Owl but wanted to make a wreath that would last all winter.

I purchased an artificial “bush” of evergreen ($5) at Hobby Lobby and dismantled it, so I had smaller springs of pine and berries. I arranged the elements on a grapevine wreath ($5) until I was happy with them and then hot glued them into place. I created a double bow with a brown and green ribbon tied with a wire ($8). I then created another Joyful Wreath Owl and tucked her in the center. In the case of this grapevine wreath, I stitched a length of wire to the back of the owl and then wrapped the wire around some of the vines. I’m quite happy with the end result.

Last evening I was invited to an artist friend’s studio – Whopaints – for the Winter Harbor Shopping night with some real artists. I had a tiny spot in her studio to display my kits. I created this board to showcase what was available and set out a few kits. As I sold my first kits in person, I learned many things. One must put a price on items. One must bring money with which to make change. One must mark what’s not for sale and display only. I took my Joyful Owl Winter Wreath as an example of a finished kit, and a woman wanted to purchase the decorated wreath. I explained that it was not for sale but display. She said that she wished I would make them to sell. Hmmm. Just what I need – another job/business!