Over the past couple of years my mum and I have begun a new Christmas tradition: wreath making. Early in December we'll spend a morning together both with an arm full of foliage, a willow hoop and a special ribbon to finish. By the end we've each created a beautiful wreath to hang on our door and it always amazes me that our personalities can be so clearly reflected in our creations.
As we head towards the start of December it's the perfect time to make sure you've got your wreath making workshop planned. So, I caught up with florist Amy, Hamsey Belle in her flower studio near Lewes, East Sussex as she put the finishing touch to a most beautiful festive wreath. Join us as we gather foliage from Amy's garden and chat about her love of seasonal flowers, wreath recipes and of course we asked her to share what's on her wish list this Christmas:
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into floristry…
I have always loved having flowers and stems in my home, that change as the seasons do. To me, bringing a bit of the outside in helps ground my home in its surroundings. Also, when I walk into a room that has flowers in, they are always the cherry on the cake and make me smile. That can only be a good thing. I wanted to find a way to share the garden via my love of seasonal flowers so I have created a Flower Studio in the garden where I can work creatively with flowers and run courses for folk to come and get creative with the stems too!
You have such a beautiful garden, I love that a lot of the flowers you use in your work come from your garden and cutting patch. Which are your favourite flowers to grow? and which do you come back to time and time again in your arrangements?
Flowers in winter are a little harder to come by, do you have a go to winter bloom?
Have you got any Hamsey Belle collaborations or events lined up this winter? and when can we visit your flower studio for a wreath making workshop?
What's your latest wreath recipe?
Do you have any special Christmas or winter traditions that you’d be willing to share with us?
I like to visit a Christmas fair in the run up - I can highly recommend @Gathered.at and also @HomeandVintageLiving - give them a follow on Instagram to find out dates. Also, I can highly recommend a trip to Dennis Severs House in Spitalfields. It is extraordinary and beautifully decorated for Christmas. I can recommend a silent, evening visit by candlelight. Very special.
What’s on your Christmas wish list this year?
My Christmas wish list this year….kindness and gentleness for all….and if my family are reading this I would like them to club together and send me on a Textile Tour of Paris
We love to discover and support other creative brands and makers; which small brands, independent shops or makers will you be gifting from this Christmas?
I like to think that shoes take you on adventures big and small, so I wonder where your Wren Boots will take you this winter?
