FESTIVE WREATH - A BEGINNER’S STORY
NEW CREATIVE SKILLS & EMBRACING IMPERFECTION
“I felt ridiculously proud that I had created a wreath ... it looked higgledy-piggledy, topsy-turvy. It was an unruly mess, the overwhelming feeling though was one of accomplishment.
“There are things I would have done differently with more planning and thought, but then again, all that might have put me off giving it a try, feeling intimidated by the finer details. I enjoyed the spur of the moment nature of it all. I let my excitement and enthusiasm take the lead, and I am happy I did.”
introduction
Chika is a food writer and photographer - under the Blog name of “She Who Eats” - located deep in the mountains of Nagano, Central Japan.
I met Chika via Instagram, after she tagged me in a post, sharing an image of the first wreath she created, after following a few online tutorials, including one of our filmed tutorials. I was struck by Chika’s words of resourcefulness, willingness to embrace new skills and how she embraced imperfectionism (albeit I saw her wreath as being completely perfect!).
I asked her to write her story and share her feelings from creating her first wreath. I hope you feel inspired by her story, reading her words and seeing her beautiful photography …
CHICKA’s story - a food writer & photographer
“I never thought I would make a wreath on my own.
I long had a fancy for natural, garden wreaths, the kind you might see on a door or shop window during the holiday season. Not that it is common to spot a fresh one where I live. Festive wreaths, and Christmas decorations in general, were not part of my childhood growing up in the Tokyo suburbs. Christmas wreaths seem to be gaining popularity these days, but wreath-adorned doors are still a rarity in Japan, especially in rural areas.
I have always considered myself terrible at all things crafts. I dread anything that calls for deft fingers and patience. I have no eye for artistic floral arrangements nor the practical skills and knowledge they require. Truth be told, I was never particularly interested in learning them, either.
As someone who likes to bake things and take pictures of them, the only kind of holiday wreaths I would make was the edible variety - gingerbread cookies, braided bread, bundt cake, and meringues. They may be pretty and festive to look at (and delicious to eat), they are not though something you can hang and admire decoratively for any length of time, if at all.
So while the idea of a beautiful wreath on my front door appealed, it never seemed likely that I would try to make one myself.”
“For the last few winters, I took on some simple crafts projects for holiday decorations ... I found myself enjoying the process and feeling quietly happy with my creations, humble though they were.”
INSPIRATION
“My sentiment towards possibly creating a natural, garden wreath shifted in the last few years. Reading the gorgeous book The Christmas Chronicles, by cookery writer, Nigel Slater, gave me the first glimmer of possibility that a beautiful, handmade wreath might be within my reach. In a chapter dedicated to Christmas wreaths, Nigel shares how he is content with doing a shortcut by buying a simple ring of evergreens to which he would add his own touch to make it his own. And the idea began grow, that I might, just might, be able to do that myself.
I live in a quiet, wooded area, and as I walk most days amongst trees, I often collect fallen leaves and twigs that might look good for food photography. I wouldn't say I 'arrange' them, exactly, but I have learned to enjoy playing around with them.
For the last few winters, I took on some simple craft projects for holiday decorations. I made ornaments with recycled wrapping paper, garlands with oven-dried slices of oranges, and gift toppers with foraged pinecones and needles. Nothing complicated. I found myself enjoying the process and feeling quietly happy with my creations, humble though they were. And this year, my ambition grew to attempt a wreath …
LATE NOVEMBER, TOKYO
“In late November, I went to Tokyo. I had seen a few posts on social media about wreath-making workshops in the City for beginners. Unfortunately, I couldn't find anything to fit my schedule. However, in the Aoyama district of Tokyo, I came across a florist who stocked handmade wreath bases, created from natural vine. Feeling excited at the prospect of doing something with them, I bought two.
I had a vague idea of my future wreath - using the pre-made base, I would keep it mostly green, natural and simple, by adding foraged evergreens, perhaps with a bit of colour here and there.”
EARLY DECEMBER, nagano
“Back home in Nagano Prefecture, a mountainous part of Central Japan, 125miles from Tokyo, during my walks in the forest, I gathered small armfuls of freshly fallen branches, berried twigs and small pinecones. The night before I planned to make my wreath, I found and watched a few helpful online tutorials. I realised too late that I didn't have the exact mechanics to make the wreath (like paddle wire to attach bundles of foliage to a wreath base). I decided that I'd just have to wing it the next day, and went to bed.
I fantasised about creating a large, elegant wreath, but as a first-time maker, it seemed to make more sense to aim for something small and simple. Choosing the smallest of the two vine wreath bases (7 inches / 17 cm diameter), I quickly became immersed in the process. With Christmas songs playing in the background and a mug of tea beside me, I clipped branches into segments, bundled a handful of them together, and tied them onto the base with sturdy paper twine that I had to hand. My wreath was made entirely of greenery, and it came together fairly quickly - it was small after all.
When I sat back and looked at my handiwork, I didn't know whether to smile or laugh - I felt ridiculously proud that I had created a natural wreath (except for the base), yet it looked higgledy-piggledy and topsy-turvy, it was an unruly mess. The overwhelming feeling though at the time, was one of accomplishment. I had never thought I would make a wreath on my own, and yet, I had achieved exactly that.”
“I fantasised about creating a large, elegant wreath, but as a first-time maker, it seemed to make more sense to aim for something small and simple.”
CREATIVITY & LEARNING
“Looking back, perhaps a sensible approach would have been to watch the tutorials a little earlier, and to plan and research a little more before venturing out to source the materials and supplies. Watching the tutorials the night before and whilst I was half asleep, wasn’t perhaps the smartest move. The video tutorials, one of which was Philippa’s (watch intro video & sign up to watch full tutorial below), were very informative and approachable, and covered everything I needed to know as a beginner, but in my tired state, I missed some of the key tips and tricks.
There are things I would have done differently with more planning and thought, but then again, the finer details might have made me feel intimidated and stop me from giving it a try. Instead, I enjoyed the spur of the moment nature of it all. I let my excitement and enthusiasm take the lead, and I am happy I did.”
EMBRACING IMPERFECTION
“My wreath has now been on our door for just over a week.
My very first wreath, in all its resemblance of a cartoon mad scientist's hair.
I guess I could try to perfect it, I could pull it apart and try again, but I haven’t, it remains exactly as it is, partly because I was slightly worn out after the day's activity and excitement, and partly because I was rather fond of my free-spirited little ring of wild greens. Also, I know I will be making another one very soon. I want to do it again; it was fun the first time and I know that I can do better next time.”
“I guess I could try to perfect it ... but I haven’t, it remains exactly as it is, partly because I was slightly worn out after the day’s activity and excitement, and partly because I was rather fond of my free-spirited little ring of wild greens”
WATCH INTRO & RECEIVE THE TUTORIAL CHIKA FOLLOWED
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