Something New (No 8)

[smallhobbit]

As part of my 'go on try something different' challenge, about six months ago I signed up for a Dare to Dabble session at Nature in Art, which is a local art gallery, specialising in art with a natural theme - be it animal, vegetable or mineral.  They're quite well known in their sphere and have temporary exhibitions including 2018 British Wildlife Photographer, the exhibition which is currently on, together with The Wildlife Photographer of the Year, which comes directly after the Natural History Museum in London have had their exhibition.

Once a month they run Dare to Dabble sessions, one in the morning, one in the afternoon, where for £10 you get to try out a different craft.  This includes all basic materials, plus tea/coffee and biscuits, plus entry to the museum.  I gather a number of people go regularly, but they vary the day of the week they are held on so I can't.

I signed up for the Christmas wreath making session.  There was an amazing amount of leaves, berries, cones etc to choose from:



The picture was taken after everyone had chosen their initial greenery.  There were also baubles available for an additional donation (this was fair enough, it was perfectly possible to make a wreath without them).

And we all got to work:



I was really pleased with what I made.  There's a basic wire shape underneath and then the greenery was wrapped round and I attached lots of pretty things to it.



Every wreath was completely different, so very traditional, some more modern.  And it was great fun in a lovely relaxed atmosphere.

I've booked on for Easter egg decorating!

Comments

[melagan]

Very pretty. The citrus adds a nice, bright tone to this.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much. I went for bright and cheerful.

[nagi_schwarz]

The wreath looks lovely! Go you!

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

I have to agree with above, the citrus is a beautiful touch.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. There were all sorts of things to choose from, so I went for the bright and cheerful.

[scfrankles]

Adding to all the applause for your choice of colours ^__^ In an odd sort of way the wreath feels like a promise of spring to come ^__^

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. Yes, I think you're right - it was different from a lot of the more traditional, and slightly darker, colours.

[howsmyenglish]

Oh, this looks wonderful! I had forgotten that we used to have similar traditions when my brother and I were younger. We used to make a kind of Christmas ikebana... hm! I think I might try and revive this...

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much.

I'm all for keeping Christmas crafts alive.

[moth2fic]

Really nice. But I'd have thought with all your craft skills from leading your Brownies you'd have been able to run the session rather than paying to join it!

[smallhobbit]

It's nice to sit down and just make something myself and get advice for once.

[adafrog]

Cool.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you.

[corvidology]

It does look like a fun activity and Easter egg decorating might be something you could do with the Brownies.

[smallhobbit]

It was great fun. I shall see how I get on with the Easter egg decorating this year before we try it out at Brownies.

[mafief]

The lemons and pine cones give it a nice contrast. Since I’m behind on life, how did it hold up?

I used to make these each year for the plant biology department greens party. Did you use a wire hoop?

[smallhobbit]

It lasted through Christmas but is starting to look a bit sad now.

Yes the bade was a double wire hoop.