The class. . . .

Last night I attended a class at the local library on making a pomander. There were about 15 people present and it was given by a gentleman, Steve, who went to my old high school. We never got around to actually making the pomander but were sent home with an orange and little sack of cloves to complete the project at our leisure. I thought maybe he had a new type pomander, but this one will be fun.

We were given lots of decorating ideas. Steve suggested using Sycamore leaves since they last, and last and hardly deteriorate. His first centerpiece was a piece of white birch (cut from his property, and he had others for sale for $1). They were drilled to hold candles. He set this on the leaves, added some bearded wheat, and other dried fall stuff – very pretty He brought in hedge apples, pine tree clippings, holly, bittersweet, pine tree cones, berries, etc

Some of his ideas:

-Drill a hole in a hedge apple and use it for a candleholder.
-Suggested using a couple types of pine foliage for texture and color on the mantle. One of his favorites was using white gourds, greenery, and hedge apples. He added some dried purple statice……and that was really eyecatching.
- He is a fan of Colonial Williamsburg and showed a florists accessory that sits inside a candlestick allowing you to turn it into a floral centerpiece, then by sticking another little plastic piece in the center of your florists foam, you have a place for your stick candle.
- He made little Christmas trees in clay pots, using pine tree clippings bunched together made to resemble miniature Christmas trees, then stuck in Styrofoam which is hidden by spafgum moss placed around the base.
- He says he always just uses a bowl of Holly for his centerpiece…..no pinecones, just traditional holly – maybe a couple candles on either side.
- Also from Colonial Williamsburg, a wooden, foot high, cone shape, with nails so you could stick on real fruit, filling in the gaps with greenery. I guess they use a lot of fruits for decorating at Williamsburg –
- Gave some wreath decorating tips and ideas
- Used a shallow circular tray, filled it with sycamore leaves, crushed pine needles, dried apples, dried oranges, berries, nuts, wheat, etc…..then sprinkled it with essential oils for a potpourri centerpiece – Oh, he put a candle in the center.
- Steve recommended trying some of the new flickering battery operated candles
- Steve suggested the San Francisco Herb company found on the internet is a great place to shop for dried items, essential oils and other decorating essentials

Did I mention refreshments and a door prize? I enjoyed the evening.