For those of you that dont know. . . this is how it all got started. . . My Mom, who died three years ago, owned a small wreath business when I as a child. It all started as an experiment when Mom decided that she wanted to make something special for her friends for the holidays. Since my Dad was a logger, we always had plenty of fresh balsam, cedar and pine around, so she made homemade balsam wreaths as gifts. Before long, others started asking if they could buy one to share with their friends or family. Matter-of-fact, people liked them so much, by the time I was 12, we were making hundreds of fresh, handmade wreaths for local churches, and florists, including Schroeder’s Floral in Green Bay. I have vivid memories of the big truck pulling into our yard and Otto, the owner of Schroeder’s Floral, hopping out, smiling, chit-chatting for a minute, and then starting the mad dash to get them loaded. We were sometimes still putting the finishing touches on the last of them as they were being loaded into the truck! I come from a family of three sisters and two brothers. We spent many nights together in our basement tying wreaths, laughing, and yes, sometimes grouching at each other when we were tired; but those memories will stay with us forever. We still laugh about those times and remember how proud Mom was of what she had created. About 15 years ago I was wandering the craft store trying to come up with a gift idea for my special friends for the holiday when I had a fun thought. I know how to make wreaths and I have access to the material I need to make them, so why not make a few for my friends, just like Mom! Thats exactly what I did. I found out that, just like Mom, people starting asking me if they could buy one for a friend or neighbor. Today, me, my husband, children, and my sister spend time together making homemade wreaths to sell to friends, florists, and local businesses. We also donate to charities, including Relay for Life. When I was 15 years old, working late into the night making wreaths, I swore Id never make another wreath in my life. Funny how things change! I think my Mom would be proud (I know that Dad sure is) that I have continued her passion, found, and share the same pleasure she did all those years during the holidays. Thank you for allowing us to continue this tradition!
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 02:16:22 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015