Dried Flower Wreaths and You

“While we are mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to meet him behind the veil”

            John Taylor

John Taylor may be right but the consolation that others are rejoicing to meet him, who meant the world to us, provides little solace to our burning heart. It takes Herculean effort to come to terms with the loss, but life has to go on. We cannot bring back the dead but can strive to lessen their grief. Floral wreaths serve this purpose with dignity and appropriate grace. Try making this dried spring wreath to provide solace to grieving hearts.

Materials you will need:

Circular Styrofoam wreath

A large bunch of dried Anemones

Vines

Dried Aqapanthas

Dried gerberas

Ribbon

Strong glue

Scissors

You may follow the simple steps:

1.   Before starting, let’s make the necessary preparations to avoid unnecessary hassles. Clear your worktable of all mess and cover it with newspaper to protect it from scratches. Now, carefully cut some of the flowers and foliage to 6-8 inches in length. Remember dried flowers are quite brittle; therefore be very careful while cutting them. Cut the flower heads of the remaining Anemones and keep them aside.

2.   Soak your floral wreath base into water for some time and take it out. Take care not to over soak the wreath, as it will cause the arrangement to drip.

3.   Wrap the foam with the vines and attach them to the wreath with floral tape. Arrange the vines close to each other so that the foam is not visible at all.

4.   Tie the Anemones, Aqapanthas and gerberas into separate bunches with floral tape or twine. Dried flowers are a bit brittle, so do not tie the flowers too tightly or they may break. You may also mix the flowers in the same bunch. Wrap an ivory ribbon over the tape.

5.   Place each bunch of Anemones, Aqapanthas and gerberas alternately on the vine covered wreath base and tie them firmly with twine or florist wire. Snip off the excess wire and tuck the tail of the wire inside the vine.

6.   Insert or attach any decorative leaves or foliage in and around the bunches with hot glue or floral tape. This will make the wreath look fuller, professional and will also conceal the twines on the bunches.

7.   Now you may decorate the wreath with the flower heads. For this you may drive a long straight pin through a flower and pin it to the wreath. If you are using silk flower heads, apply some glue to the base of each flower head and attach it to the wreath.

8.   You may decorate the wreath further with little satin ribbons and bear grass. Though this wreath is basically made of dried flowers, you may also combine fresh flowers and twigs to give certain uniqueness to the wreath.

This condolence wreath of dried flowers will surely help the bereaved family to bear their loss with more fortitude.