I started my business in 2016 from my home in the village of Kingston near Corfe Castle. I had created some dried fruit decorations for Christmas and got such positive feedback that I decided to branch out into dried flowers, which I’ve always loved. And so, Dorset Dried Flowers came into being, and not just for Christmas. Last year I was the runner-up in the ‘Special Touches’ category in the South West Region Wedding Industry Awards.
My dried flowers come from growers in Dorset and further afield. And, as I live on a farm, I’ve many types of foliage and flowers that I pick and air-dry. All my wreath bases are made from foraged birch twigs. Sustainability is very important to me, even my large-scale installations use sustainable bases. And, being married to a farmer, I have a large supply of chicken wire at my disposal which I use instead of floral foam. Alongside creating wreaths and garlands, I love the thrill of transforming venues for weddings and events, adding colour and texture to the blank canvas and bringing the outside in.
The run up to Christmas is always extremely busy. Often, there’s a Christmas wedding to do, so I will still be creating bouquets and archways even in December. And then there are the Christmas market events. My biggest seller is the Christmas Spice Potpourri which smells divine. From November onwards I spend a great deal of time up ladders! In homes, I create mantlepiece designs, decorate trees and style dining tables. In hospitality venues, I create archways and decor across bar areas as well as mantlepieces and table decor.
My Christmas wreath making workshops are hugely popular. I love teaching people how to create their own fabulous festive wreath using the proper mossed base technique. I offer seven different types of foliage for the workshop, plus an array of dried fruits, cones, feathers, cinnamon sticks and dried florals. Everyone takes home something amazing.
By the time I get to the week before Christmas most of my work is done, so I finally get some time to be creative in my own home. Then I sit back, with a glass of festive spirit, and admire my festive decor.
Find out more at my websites dorsetdriedflowers.co.uk and Dorset Dried Flowers at Lasting Blooms lastingblooms.online.
Christmas Wreath Workshops with Catherine: Session include all the elements for making the wreath. Cost £55. Workshops on November 25; December 5 & 7, morning and afternoon slots. Book at dorsetdriedflowers.co.uk/dried-flower-workshops
Create a Christmas Mantlepiece
Build a Solid Base: To build a strong foundation for your Christmas foliage display use household bricks loosely wrapped in chicken wire (find online or at a hardware store), large stones work just as well. This creates a sturdy, weighty base to keep the installation secure and prevents it from slipping off the mantlepiece. Place a piece of fabric or a black bin liner underneath the bricks before you begin to protect the mantlepiece.
Shape the Edges: Start with the outer edges of the mantelpiece. Place long pieces of foliage at either end, allowing them to trail gracefully down the sides to a length you find pleasing. Simply tuck the stems into the chicken wire to hold them in place. In this example, I’ve used ivy, which drapes beautifully and gives a natural, flowing look.
Design the Front: Next, begin to build out the front of the mantelpiece. I like to add a few lighter pieces that fall gently downwards, avoid anything too heavy. For this, I’ve used pinus, which extends out attractively across the ends and front without weighing the design down.
Add Height: For a mantelpiece display that feels dynamic and textured, introduce varying heights. Add taller stems towards the back, ensuring the arrangement looks balanced with the fireplace. I recommend using spruce as it has strong, upright branches that hold well. Be careful not to go too high, proportions should remain harmonious with the space.
Fill Gaps: Use smaller pieces of spruce to fill any gaps throughout the arrangement. Angle them in different directions for a natural, layered effect, continuing to push the stems securely into the chicken wire.
Introduce Variety: To keep the design light and interesting, incorporate a mix of foliage. At this stage, I like to add eucalyptus (source from your local florist). Its softer green tones lift the arrangement, and it can be used fresh before drying beautifully in place. It also releases a wonderful fragrance that will fill your room.
Refine with Smaller Foliage: As your mantelpiece decoration fills out, switch to smaller-leaved foliage for finer detail and texture. Here, I’ve added pistache (Pistacia lentiscus) and a more delicate eucalyptus parvifolia, evergreens that can be sourced from a florist. Both can be used fresh, and pistache lasts for weeks without a water source, ideal for festive arrangements.
Add Depth with Variety: Continue layering different foliage to create depth and contrast. Mixing finer leaves with broader ones prevents the display from feeling too heavy and ensures a natural, balanced look.
Festive Colour: Stems of red berries, such as ilex (ivy), bring a vibrant burst of seasonal colour. Holly with berries also works beautifully. Insert these stems at varying heights throughout the arrangement for a lively, balanced finish.
Finishing Touches: For the final layer of interest, wire dried fruits such as limes, lemons, or oranges onto floristry wires and insert them into the design. Place at different heights and positions so the look remains natural rather than uniform. These little touches bring a citrus fragrance, as well as Christmas charm to your mantelpiece which will be greatly admired.
