Theory & Practice: from Lab to Lifestyle: December 2017

Continued from: https://theorypracticelandscaping-kfrye.blogspot.com/2017/12/mynforst-wreath-made-form-from.html

Fo this wreath I made separate forms from the holly wreaths. I made some very loose forms here to allow room to pass the popcorn and cranberries. The good news is that these scraggy forms are quick and easy!

I used air-popped corn, which is supposed to be better for the birds. And speaking of bird safety, I tried to find the strongest thread I could to avoid tangling or choking risks; I ended up using leatherwork thread with a paraffin coating. I hear fishing line is also really good for not breaking.

First I cut off about 3' of thread, tied one end onto the grapevine, and then started stringing popcorn and cranberries.

When entire length of thread is full, I just wrapped it around the grapevine, tucked and/or tied off the end onto the vine.

via Instagram

via Instagram

I started cutting down the grapevine that I love to let take over the greenhouse for shade and rain garden benefits:

Decided to see how well it made wreath frames. Thinking it might be a nice easy class Community Roots could offer in the future or make nice gifts or be something we could sell in the future...

I cut several of last year's growth and tried to lay it out neatly...tried anyway. By the time I got it home it was pretty tangled. And of course if I had attempted to form them the same day I brought them home, things would have been a little easier. I did not get to the vines until 2 days later so I had to soak them to make them pliable enough to form.

It was cold out so I brought a empty tote into the bathtub and filled it to soak the vines.

I soaked them for 2-3 hours, after that they were easy to shape. I located one end of several vines and started curving, sometimes using my elbow as if to wrap up a cord, tucking in the straggling ends along the length of the vines. At every bend, I took one vine and wrapped it around the whole bunch: