Milestone Moment
This wreath making course felt like a real milestone moment in what has been a challenging few years. The last time I taught was in the March of 2020 as the world was starting to lockdown. It was a 121 class at Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, I was teaching my lovely student about how to approach a career in floristry, my phone was ringing off the hook with couples panicking about their wedding date. For my poor student it might have been the reality check she needed of life as a self employed person, however I do hope it didn't put her off!
Fast forward two years, 50 odd weddings and two growing seasons and finally I felt ready to approach teaching again. I have to thank Boconnoc for encouraging me back with the opportunity to combine a wreath making workshop with a forage around their estate.
The Setting
I’m not sure I could have been any luckier with this course. I woke to a crisp, hard frost on the ground and the promise of a day without rain. November made me wonder if we would ever see a day like this again!
I approached the Boconnoc Estate via the back lanes of Lostwithiel, my journey is a simple 10 minute drive. However, the moment you are on the estate, the land around you changes. Deer huddle together with the mist low in the valley and the bracken is a golden burnt orange. This is a vista I am so familiar with, however, every time I pass through I get goosebumps.
As I approach the lake the mist sits heavy and the frost is so hard it looks like Boconnoc is covered in snow. It is at this point that I wonder if I could get away with just sitting here all morning and anyone would miss me!
Debs Alexander
The icing on the cake was remembering that Deb’s Alexander was joining on the course with her mum. If you have followed me for a while you will have seen Deb’s work on my instagram. Debs is a wonderful photographer. You can see some of her work on my wedding pages. So lovely Debs whilst trying to learn how to make a wreath, managed to also capture the event!
Thank you Debs, this really was very special for me, you marked my return to workshops with the most beautiful imagery x
The Course
I was excited to create a course that was a little different. Having taught floristry, for over 10yrs, things can seem a rather samey so I was pleased to offer a wreath making course with a twist!
Students attending the course had their own opportunity to be led by what inspired them with a forage through the Shrubbery garden at the Boconnoc Estate. It was so interesting to see what people were drawn to. Whilst I brought a mix of ivy and eucalyptus for any of the reluctant foragers…it can be hard to cut something living! The students embraced the ingredients around them. There were a number of fallen trees and I was pleased to see that this was one of the main sources of ingredients the students foraged from. Along with dropped branches and those, like Hannah, who had a love of bracken!
After a warming hot chocolate and homemade mince pies from Kay at Boconnoc we moved on with the creating of the wreaths. The wreaths were constructed onto mossed ring bases.
Finally I taught my love of the detail…. the ribboning! Anyone that knows me knows my love of the detail.
It was amazing to see the varied designs from this class. I loved meeting this super bunch of ladies and am hoping that 2023 will see a return to a few more classes!
Huge thank you to all the students that attended the class, the staff at Boconnoc and Debs for capturing these beautiful moments.
Future Classes
If you are interested in a class with The Garden Gate Flower Company please do sign up to my newsletter where you will be kept informed of any further classes.
For corporate or larger group workshop bookings please email me your ideas.
