Making of Wreaths 4

Decoration of the wreath may be simple or elaborate. Fruits or nuts may be used. Good effects are possible with cellophane, candy canes, Christmas tree ornaments, mag­nolia leaves, ivy, herbs, bunches of artificial grapes and many other materials. (Drawing 6)

Perhaps the most elaborate wreath is the Delia Robbia which is decorated with shellacked fruits to resemble the ornamental borders of glazed and colored terra cotta which Luca Delia Robbia and his family made in the fifteenth century. He was an outstanding artist of the Renaissance and his craftsman­ship is familiar to all artists and travelers. (Drawing 4)

For this striking wreath a variety of fruits may be used: lady apples, limes, lemons, kumquats, grapes, cran­berries and cones. Each piece is wired on separately. (See Chapter 4) The cranberries round out the border and accent it with their dark red color. This type of wreath may be used on the door, in a hallway, against paneling or as a centerpiece. As a centerpiece it may be placed on a mirror to add height to the table. Tall red candles may be placed at either end. Use fairly thick ones; thin candles will not balance the weight of the wreath unless several are used.

A simpler wreath may be made of mixed greens, deco­rated
with cones, bayberry and red berries. If berries are scarce, a few red lady apples will provide color. A red bow looks well on this kind of wreath. Satin ribbon is effective if the wreath is to hang under cover, but water­proof fabric is necessary for an outdoor display. Oilcloth is waterproof, but is a poor substitute for ribbon. It makes a stiff and unnatural bow and looks exactly like what it is—oilcloth! (Drawing 3)

Artificial fruit with remarkable resemblance to the real article may occasionally be found in stores. Some people object to artificial material, but I see nothing wrong with it if shapes and colors are true. After all, it is the form and coloring, not the flavor, which is important in creating decorations. Artificial fruits can be wired to the frames in the same way as the real product.

If it is in bunches, these can be cut apart and the individual pieces placed according to the decorator's discretion. A striking effect can be secured by making on separate frames one wreath of fruit and another of magnolia leaves and then wiring them together. (Drawing 6, top)

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