Make Wreaths for Winter Dollars
(Page 3 of 3)
November/December 1975
By Gillian G. McDaniel
[7] Complete the circle by tucking the last two fans under the first, with the branches held up. Make these final bunches a bit shorter than normal, so they'll fit nicely.
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[8] Wrap the last fans securely with thin wire, tie off the strand out of sight under the greenery, and let the branches fall back to cover the knot.
There you have it . . . your first wreath! You should be looking at an unbroken succession of fans on both sides of the frame, with no wire showing. If the overall effect is too shaggy, you can use the snippers to clean up the middle hole and trim off whatever pieces of branch you think are sticking out in the wrong places. The first couple of tries may seem awkward, but once you get into the technique it will become much easier and you'll be able to work while carrying on a lively conversation with your fellow "maker" (if you have one).
For further information, you might want to check with your cooperative extension service to find out whether a copy of USDA Bulletin No. 501, The Christmas Wreath Maker's Manual, is on file. This publication is out of print and is no longer available from Washington.
DOLLARS
Wreaths are made in diameters ranging from 8 to 24 inches, and the price varies accordingly. I think it's easier to learn on a larger size . . . but once you know how, you can make more of the smaller ornaments in less time.
Last year I received $1.15 for each 20-inch wreath I completed, and found that I could turn out two or three in an hour. Well, an hourly $2.30 to $3.45 ain't too bad, huh? And that's a beginner's rate. I know of a woman who made about $1,500 last year, in six weeks of whipping up 10-inchers.
This season, with a little experience behind me, I hope to do pretty well. If my husband gets in on the project too, we may not even have to work for the rest of the winter . . . and we'll have plenty of time for reading, cooking, skiing, and all the cold-weather pastimes which make country living so enjoyable.
How about you? If you get organized right now, you may be able to gather enough "green energy" over the next few weeks to get you through the winter months. Good luck, and happy "making"!
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