(C) Daily Yonder - Keep it Rural
This story was originally published by Daily Yonder - Keep it Rural and is unaltered.
. . . . . . . . . .



Crafting Community and a Della Robbia Wreath at Hughlett’s Tavern/Rice’s Hotel [1]

['Ali Webb', 'The Daily Yonder', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus', 'Display Inline', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Where Img', 'Height Auto Max-Width', 'Vertical-Align Bottom .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar']

Date: 2024-11-29

Nestled behind the historic old courthouse in Heathsville, Virginia, population 126, stands Hughlett’s Tavern. It’s a charming white wooden structure with more than 250 years of stories etched into its wooden beams.

On a crisp Saturday morning, just shy of three weeks following a tumultuous presidential election, eight eager participants gathered in the Tavern’s Community Meeting Building to learn the art of creating a Della Robbia wreath under the expert guidance of Liz Walker. Liz has a passion to pass on the tradition of wreath making that she learned from her mother while growing up in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Call it craft-therapy for some of us, it was a few hours to forget the world and focus on making something both useful and beautiful. No one talked about anything but the task at hand. And we talked lots about bow placement and the beauty of dried orange slices.

Some of the elements of the wreath: a taped wreath form, various fruits, wire, ribbon, clippers, and sturdy gloves. (Photo by Ali Webb)

A little historical context: Della Robbia wreaths draw their inspiration from the vibrant Renaissance terra-cotta sculptures of Italy. The style was later adapted in Colonial Williamsburg, incorporating fresh greenery, fruits, and decorative elements for a wreath with an unmistakable holiday flair. This style of wreath graced the homes of revolutionary Americans and stalwart British Loyalists in another fateful American era.

Here’s how the magic unfolded during our workshop.

Magnolia leaves make up the base of the wreath. (Photo by Ali Webb)

Step 1: Preparing the Foundation

We started with a 14-inch straw wreath form wrapped in green florist tape. A sturdy loop of floral wire, also wrapped in green tape, created a hanging hook—a practical first step that set the tone for a masterpiece in the making.

Step 2: Building the Magnolia Leaf Border

Magnolia leaves formed the wreath’s elegant backbone. Liz encouraged us to experiment with patterns, angling the leaves to create symmetry or going wild with asymmetry for a whimsical look, for example. The goal was to meet each leaf’s vein to maintain a consistent flow, with the result guiding us like clockwork from the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions.

Step 3: “Greening” the Wreath

Armed with two bags of lush greenery, we pinned small bundles to the wreath form, alternating placements between the top, inside, and outside of the form. A clockwise motion ensured the wreath was evenly covered, hiding the straw base. Liz’s mantra? “Wild and wooly is always a winner!”

Step 4: Adding the Bow

Decisions, decisions; where should the bow be located—top, bottom, or side? Liz suggested the side placement for a touch of whimsy. Once the bow was in place, its cascading ribbons dictated the placement of fruit and other decorative elements.

A participant attaches fruit to the wreath after adding greenery and the bow. Oyster shells come from the nearby Chesapeake Bay. (Photo by Ali Webb)

Step 5: Placing the Fruit

Lemons, apples, dried orange slices, and pomegranates took center stage. Odd-numbered groupings—three, five, or seven—created visual balance. Liz advised us to pre-arrange the fruit before attaching it, using floral wire and toothpicks for a seamless, sturdy look. She demonstrated the process with expert precision and showed us how to gently anchor each fruit without piercing too deeply, thus preserving their natural beauty.

Step 6: Adding the Details

Here’s where creativity truly bloomed! Yarrow, statice, nandina berries, pinecones, and even oyster shells found their way into the design. Each element was carefully wired or pinned in place, tucked snugly into the greenery to hide mechanics. Baby’s breath and additional greenery filled gaps, adding texture and pops of color.

Step 7: The Final Flourish

As the finishing touches came together, Liz shared tips for longevity, such as avoiding over-wiring and ensuring elements were securely fastened. A gentle shake confirmed the wreath was ready to withstand the winter winds.

Home for the holiday, the finished wreath hangs on the front door. (Photo by Ali Webb)

Reflections and Revelry

Each wreath told a unique story—some traditional, others delightfully minimalist. Surrounded by the historical charm of Hughlett’s Tavern, we left with not only wreaths, but also a profound appreciation for this timeless art form.

Each wreath we crafted was more than a holiday decoration—it was a celebration of creativity, history, and community. The quiet camaraderie in that room, with its shared focus on beauty and tradition, felt like a much-needed balm for the soul in uncertain times. We took with us wreaths to adorn our homes and the satisfaction of creating something lasting and lovely.

At Hughlett’s Tavern, history isn’t just preserved—it’s lived and shared. Workshops like these remind us that the simplest acts, like weaving leaves and fruits into a circle, can connect us to centuries of tradition while grounding us in the present. So, whether you’re seeking a bit of holiday cheer, a new skill, or just a few hours of joyful escape, Hughlett’s Tavern offers more than a workshop—it offers a place to craft memories and community.

Ali Webb lives on the banks of Virginia’s Rappahannock River where it meets the Chesapeake Bay. She writes about rural life, traveling close to home and far away as The Indulgent Traveler. Her first job out of college was as a reporter for a daily newspaper; her last job was working for a major U.S. foundation. Now she combs the river bank for oyster shells and tries to be helpful.

Related

Republish This Story Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.

[END]
---
[1] Url: https://dailyyonder.com/crafting-community-and-a-della-robbia-wreath-at-hughletts-tavern-rices-hotel/2024/11/29/

Published and (C) by Daily Yonder - Keep it Rural
Content appears here under this condition or license: Creative Commons CC BY-ND 4.0 International.

via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds:
gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailyyonder/

You are viewing proxied material from magical.fish. The copyright of proxied material belongs to its original authors. Any comments or complaints in relation to proxied material should be directed to the original authors of the content concerned. Please see the disclaimer for more details.