Thanks crete, nana, sewandsew...here's a few tips: HLobby sells cheap grapevine wreaths, half price lots of times...mine was old that I'd used for other things. Collect small pots at GS's, GW, TS's...I accumulated these over Spring/Summer. I just worked on a small table & used wire (like electric fence type gauge)..flexible. I thread thru the hole in pot first, then ends thru the grapevine...just played with it where I wanted them...put larger ones on first, then added. Now I will add a wire wreath by wiring it to the grapevine...that was Cindee's suggestion (above) as her wreath started sagging after being in weather 2 yrs....so sounds like a great solution! I didn't wear gloves (I did wear clothes! which I first typed instead of gloves)LOL!!! & do have some pokes & scratches...but I couldn't work the wire with gloves on...used pliers to twist 2 ends tog at back of wreath. Hope this helps...go for it, nana! And a healthier year ahead for you! I'm beg. my 4th yr. since being so sick...so am hoping you are headed for a great year! Jeanne S.

I've shipped dried flower wreaths and other projects. However, the boxing is expensive if you're just a small timer like me. I live in a small town, but in a larger town about 20 miles from me is a box shop with about every size box you can imgine. But I'm looking at $5 to $6 per box, or more. I cut out a piece of cardboard smaller than the box I'm using to package the item in. I batton down the item to the piece of cardboard with the long twisties or yarn if I have to. But your project could get damaged where you batton down so I use tissue paper in that area to help. And I don't batton down real tight. Once battoned down to the cardboard, I cover the project with tissue paper and tape to hold the tissue paper on. I then use peanuts under and over the project to fill in the box. Best wishes!

I never cared for fake xmas trees...well except the aluminum or pink feather ones that some of my Tiki friends keep up year round in their lounges...LOL. But I do like the ones they have out now days, they are realistic looking and no clean up afterwards. I love the whole xmas decor thing and try to do it every year, especially if I my Mom is coming to stay and/or I am having a party. I place the tree in the corner of my dining room and it is a great fit. The quality of the Frontgate tree is fabulous. If you get one, be sure to purchase the rolling zip up storage bag. You keep the tree on that stand unzip the bag and roll it down to the floor and cover it up with your favorite xmas tree skirt. Easy-Peazy...my handyman likes it. I think mine is a noble fir, remote control LED lights, and I got the slimline 10 foot. I wasn't sure about the lights, but OMG it looks great and you don't have to worry about stringing them and they are evenly placed. I have some beautiful Victorian style glass ornaments from Southern Living at Home and then I dress it up with other colored ornaments and feathers, etc. I have been very happy with the purchase. Frontgate has great customer service, so if you got one and didn't like it you can return it...no hassles. I think it is a good investment that will last for many years. The branches and leaves are very sturdy and you can bend them as needed. It would be great for your place igloo, easy to set up and really suggest the slimline, it is plenty of tree. Frontgate usually doesn't put their trees online until a little later in the season. Also suggest you ask for the mailer catalog, the xmas one is just awesome...lots of great ideas.

A friend of mine used to make her own potpourri. She would dry the flowers and then mix them with the different oils and spices and seed pods. She made potpourri balls and sachets and sold them at craft shows and did quite well. She also purchased the refresher oils and resold those so that people could refresh the potpourri. Another thing she made were tussy mussies (stiffened cones made from doilies, etc) with potpourri enclosed in a mesh bag inside the cone and topped off with dried and/or silk flowers which could be hung on a wall. I have also seen small pressed flowers like violas, impatiens, pansies, etc. arranged and matted in picture frames at some of my shows. Another girl used various "finds" from yard sales, salvation army and other thrift shops to plant her dried arrangements in...small china teacups and saucers, candy dishes, baby shoes, boots, mailboxes, old ladles, miniature picket fences with a little window box attached to the base, various styles of old hats, etc. The more novel the container the more she sold and she sold a ton. Hope this helps a little. I know how hard it is to find ways to supplement an all to meager income. Penny