Join in on this excellent event!
Everyone is invited to attend a festive holiday wreath making workshop on Sunday, December 8, from 9:30 am to 11:30 am, to be held at the Orange Memorial Park art studio classroom. A variety of freshly harvested greens, such as redwood, pine, cedar, holly, eucalyptus, and even succulents will be provided, along with a wire wreath frame and a paddle of florist wire for each participant. Volunteers from the Improving Public Places group, including Shane Looper, Sean Garrone, and Sharon Ranals will demonstrate how to make small bundles from the greens, and then wire overlapping bundles to the wire frame to create a beautiful, fresh, and unique wreath. Once you master the technique, you will be able to use it independently in the future to create wreaths of any size, as well as fresh swags and garlands using a rope for the base.
All the supplies needed to make a basic evergreen wreath are included in the $20 fee. Optional decorations, such as pine cones, bows, ornaments, tinkle bells, and berries will be sold for an additional fee. Participants are welcome to bring their own wreath frames of any size, as well as to bring items from home that they wish to incorporate! Holiday music and refreshments will help to make this a fun, festive and relaxed morning. Everyone enrolled will create a wreath to bring home or to give as a gift. Couples and families with children are welcome to attend as a “unit” and can work together to create a memorable family masterpiece!
Participants will be outdoors to snip sprigs from piles of greens, with the assembly of the wreaths indoors, so be sure to dress appropriately in layers and wear sturdy shoes; anticipate sap and pitch getting on your hands and clothing. Bring thin work gloves (optional, but advised), a pair of pruners for the greens, and wire cutters or old scissors for the wire. After the workshop ends at 11:30 am, participants may stay later and use any left-over greens to make additional wreaths or garlands at no additional charge, except for the wire ring and any desired decorations.
All proceeds will be utilized by the Improving Public Places group for civic beautification projects in the community. What better way to get in the holiday spirit, create a beautiful wreath, avoid the commercial consumer crush of the season, learn a new skill, socialize with community-minded folks, recycle natural materials to reduce our carbon footprint, and contribute to a great fundraiser!
Registration may be done in person at either the Recreation office or the Maintenance Building, through the Fall Leisure Guide (page 27), or on-line at www.SSF.net. For more information call the Recreation office at (650) 829-3800.