Tools and Technique 2
Manpower may be needed for the construction of such items as bases for trees and candle boards. Any handy man can make these with common workshop tools and odds and ends of lumber. Women could do it, for that matter, but it is good strategy to give the menfolk a share in decorating for Christmas so that they will appreciate the final results.
Some people are baffled at first by wiring, but there is really no difficult trick to it. Wiring is necessary to hold fruits, cones and bows in position on wreaths and other decorations. With a little practice, wiring can be done neatly, firmly and inconspicuously. Any method is good which serves the purpose.
The weight of wire used depends on the weight of the material to be fastened. The No. 20 is strong enough to hold a white pine cone in place; heavier may be needed for the cone of the Douglas fir. Length of wire will depend on size of cone, 12- or 18-inch pieces usually suffice.
Cones are wired by wedging one end of the wire under a few lower segments, then turning it several times around the base, among the segments, until the cone is firmly attached. Even tight cones can be fastened in this way, though it is easier to wire these if a little of the stem is left on each one. When the cone is attached to the wire, there should be about eight inches of wire remaining for insertion into the greens and winding around the frame on which they are to be arranged. (Drawings 1 and 7)
In all wiring, allow for the fact that greens and the stems of plants shrink as they dry. This calls for firm work. The placing of the cones, when wired, is determined by their type. Some cones, like those of Scotch and yellow pine, may be wired and fastened upside down to the frame. This treatment gives a flat, solid appearance.
A rose-like effect can be attained by cutting crosswise through large cones, then using the halves. Bayberry, English holly and nandina may come in bunches big enough to use as individual sprays. Other berries need to be wired together for a bunched effect. A strand of No. 18 or No. 19 wire is twisted several times around the grouped stems before they are fastened where the decorator pleases. (Drawing 1)
Fruits are usually laid horizontally on the decoration, and are easy to wire in this position. The wire, an 18-inch length of No. 18, is thrust through the fruit and twisted securely behind it. (Drawing 4)
A different technique is used with grapes and cranberries. The stem end of a bunch of grapes is fastened to the frame with a 12-inch length of wire. Then close to the end of the bunch of grapes another wire, hairpin-shaped, is placed over the stem and twisted firmly to the frame. Cranberries are more troublesome. They look unnatural if wired. Yet properly used they add as much to a wreath as a sprinkling of Jordan almonds to a box of chocolates.
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