From: ccuppern@s.psych.uiuc.edu (Cyndi Cuppernell)
Subject: Re: Wreath supplies anyone?
Organization: UIUC Department of Psychology
Distribution: usa
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1992 05:27:28 GMT

wrhogeb@srv.PacBell.COM (Bill Hogeboom) writes:

>In article <7158@news.duke.edu> greenleaf@bchm.biochem.duke.edu
writes:
>>
>> Hi!
>>
>>I'm looking for a good, cheap source for wreath-making supplies,
specifically
>>straw wreaths 12", 14", or 16" and floral pins (for anchoring
things to the
>>wreath forms.  I called one place and the woman I talked to had
no idea what I
>>was describing when I said floral pins.  
I am not exactly sure what floral pins are, but what does come to
mind as a possibility are what I call T-pins, which are available
in sewing or fabric stores.  They are a long pin which forms a T
shape at the non-sharp end.


And the wreaths were WAY more
>>expensive than my local craft store or Wal Mart.  The problem I'm
having is
>>that the places I go are ALWAYS out of what I want.  I don't
understand how
>>they can restock something by putting up less than 10 of an item. 
Plus the
>>people that work in the store hoard seasonally popular supplies
before
>>customers even get a chance.  They admit they buy it all up! What
can I do? 
>>
>>Thank you.  I feel better now.
>>
>>Andrea Skantar
>>glab@bchm.biochem.duke.edu

Along the same line, I am looking for an inexpensive source of pine
>cones in the San Francisco area. My wife and I try to make two or
>three pine cone wreaths each year as gifts and are having trouble
>finding an affordable source in the area this year.

We have done this.  I don't know about San Francisco, but around
here, we have plenty of evergreens growing everywhere.  We go to
parks and cemeteries to find them and gather them ourselves.   We
especially like the look we get when we use many sizes and shapes
in the wreath.

By the way, a well made pine cone wreath will survive a lot of
abuse.  We have ours hanging on our front door year round.  Many
people brush against it on their way out the door, but after 3
years, it shows no sign of deterioration.  My husband made this one
by wiring the pinecones to a circular wire frame.

One idea I have had but have not followed through on is to make
large bows out of seasonal fabrics and change the bows to match the
seasons/holidays.

Another idea I had, and have started on (while I'm listing some
ideas anyway) is to make pillow covers for the two throw pillows
that match our couch.  I want to make them out of an assortment of
fabrics, like Halloween fabric, Christmas fabric, etc.  If you are
willing to wait to have such a thing, one way to do this more
cheaply is to buy the fabrics just after each holiday when they are
at clearance prices.  


To make these, I cut a rectangle of fabric that was 1 1/2" wider
than the width of the pillow and twice as long plus 4" than the
other dimension of the pillow.  Finish the short edges (or include
the selvege on one short edge and finish the other.)  Overlap the
short edges in the middle of the strip, wrong side out, with the
final fold-to-fold measurement about the width of your pillow.  I
like them slightly large.  Sew along each of the raw edges and your
cover is done.  Turn it right side out.  You slip the pillow into
the cover through the opening.-- 
                 
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