SIX years after launching wreath making classes, a dale florist says even she is surprised they are more popular than ever.
Sarah Meeson, who runs Vintage Essence, in Galgate, Barnard Castle, said: “After all this time I really thought they would have run out of steam.
“When I first started doing the courses I did two with 50 people, now I’m doing seven public workshops and eight private events with more than 300 people.”
Ms Meeson, 45, who trained as a florist after leaving Teesdale School, held her first wreath making workshops six years ago and has had to increase the number she offers to cater for the demand.
She added: “I try to make sure I book village halls so they’re at the heart of the community.
“I’ve done the workshops at The Witham and the TCR Hub as well and this year I’ll also be doing one at Middleton-in-Teesdale Auction Mart the same day as they switch the lights on.
“I think the appeal is the ladies have such a good time, have a glass of prosecco, a few chocolates and a some cheesy music in the background and everyone get to take their handiwork home.
“I’ve had one lady who has been every year, but she’s just had a baby so she may be giving it a miss this time.”
Everyone who attends the course, which lasts about two hours, is given a wreath back, which has already been prepared with foliage, and then they are free to cover it with a range of “floristy decorations” including holly, dried fruits, ribbons and cones to tailor their wreaths to their own design.
Ms Meeson said: “What I find amazing is I’ll have a room of say 27 people all with the same materials and you’ll end up with completely different finished articles.
“There has only been once where there have been two similar wreaths but the sisters who made them were surprised at all.
“There were twins who were booked on different sessions on different days and I couldn’t believe that they produced identical designs. I took photos to see how different they would be, but they were the same.”
She says although the workshops are mainly attended by ladies, she has received enquiries from men looking to try their hand, however, they would have to be quick as places are already full for this years’ sessions and there is a growing waiting list.
She said: “I can’t believe how popular they still are and the support I’ve had for them is phenomenal. For me, one of the best things about the workshops is the look on people’s faces when they see their finished wreath and how proud they are.”
