POTSDAM, N.Y. — The secrets of making a beautiful, all natural wreath for the home or as gifts will be shared in an upcoming workshop by the Local Living Venture and local artist Carol Simpson.
“Woodland Botanical Wreaths: A Make-n-Take Workshop” will be held on Sept. 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. at a private home near West Stockholm, N.Y. (7.5 mi. from Potsdam.)
In the workshop, the found objects of nature become beautiful creations that are more than just home decoration, but a small piece of the natural world brought in to the home for inspiration and enjoyment, no matter the season.
Local artisan Carol Simpson creates natural grapevine wreaths from garden plants and found botanical objects in the woods and fields of the North Country.
“I love playing with natural materials. I find all of these seed heads so interesting and beautiful,” she said. “The wreaths exhibit the beauty and diversity of local botanicals that are often overlooked. Working with them stimulates the appreciation of nature’s beauty all around us, right down to the ‘weeds’!”
Simpson will share how you can make a beautiful wreath, including tips for collecting the raw materials and how to process them using soaking and drying techniques and more. The plants that provide the materials for this workshop are growing all over, in North Country gardens, fields and forests. They are available in our own yards and gardens.
Even those who don’t feel they are creative can compose a wreath. All you need is a playful attitude and to know what you like as you choose materials and decide how to bunch and juxtapose them. Carol will guide participants on the “how to” with tips and tricks she has learned over the years. There are many completed wreaths to give workshop participants some inspiration as well.
Workshop presenter Carol Simpson moved to the North Country from Philadelphia in 1982. While walking through the woods and fields she discovered the diversity of forms, shapes and beauty of wild flowers and grasses and in particular their seed-heads. She began experimenting with which of the endless variety of seed heads and other botanicals could be dried successfully, maintaining color without falling apart. She began weaving grapevines into wreaths and decorating them with these native botanicals from her woods walks. Mrs. Simpson notes that “…sharing this appreciation creates more joy in my life.”
This is a hands-on “make-n-take” workshop, with participants encouraged to bring utility scissors and utility smocks. Every participant will go home with their own creation, made from materials Carol has collected and prepared for use, as well as the ability to make many more.
For this unique learning experience, a $25 general public, $45 couple/family of two, $10 student donation is requested for material costs, to cover overhead expenses and to benefit Local Living Venture non-profit workshop creation. LLV workshop presenters are volunteers who donate their time to support the Local Living Venture and to share their skills with their North Country neighbors.
Class size is limited to only six attendees, so an RSVP is needed to receive the workshop location. Contact either LocalLivingVenture@gmail.com or 315-347-4223 with the workshop name, your name(s), phone numbers and number in party. A confirmation message with all details, including directions, will be emailed within 24-48 hours.
These beautiful and whimsical wreaths are also available for purchase by the public and can be found on the Homestead Marketplace page at www.LocalLivingVenture.org.
— Local Living Venture