The first weekend of April saw the beautiful Abigail of Seaholly Floral Design join us in our historic barn for an afternoon of flowery joy in a spring wreath workshop. Over two days, Abi helped over 30 guests learn how to design and create their own spring wreath, ready to hang on the front door for an Easter welcome, using seasonal spring-time foliage and flowers.
The spring wreath workshop was enhanced by a grazing table of charcuterie, cheeses, breads, crackers, fruits, dips and crudités, and the final touch was a freshly-poured Pornstar Martini, crafted by Strait & Narrow.
Abi gave the guests a warm welcome, inviting them to choose a seat and settle in with a freshly-made tea or coffee before the workshop kicked off. In each place there was a box, full to the brim with all the materials needed to make a spring wreath; a round wire wreath base, fresh moss, foliage, flowers, and some enchanting additional touches.
Abi invited the guests to gather around her work station so that she could demonstrate the first stage of how to make a spring wreath. Everyone was then given time to follow her instructions, with Abi giving hands-on help and advice as needed. Abi repeated this approach, step by step, so that everyone had time to have a go and hone their skills, without an overload of information.
After creating the wreath’s base from compacted moss, it was time to make small sprays of foliage and flowers and attach them using florist’s wire. The foliage was eucalyptus, ivy and pistache whilst splashes of spring colour came from sprays of limonium in fresh yellow and soft blue-purple. As well as being so pretty whilst fresh, Abi explained that limonium dries beautifully too.
To help keep focused and fresh, there was hot tea and coffee on offer. Mid-afternoon, it was time for a break with a superb, spring-inspired grazing table from The Pig & Whistle kitchens. The table was spread with plates of charcuterie, paté and thin slices of beef, crudités, stuffed peppers, olives and hummus, a selection of breads, butter and crackers, and some delicious cheese, all locally sourced from around Lincolnshire. For extra spring vibes, the Healing bar staff poured everyone a delicious pornstar martini.
After eating, it was time to add personality and fun to the wreaths. Despite using the same materials, Abi explained that everyone’s wreath would be different and take on its own character; neat and refined, elegant and chic, playful, wild and wispy… It was so good to see how everyone’s own tastes and styling came through in what they created.
For colour, craspedia provided bright pops of yellow, branches of pussy willow created a spring-feel and for whimsy and movement, bunny’s tail grasses were a lovely touch. Abi had also included a few bulbs of tiny narcissi in each guest’s box. Although young and green, she promised that they would bloom within a few weeks.
The final touches were ribbons, and Abi had provided a gorgeous variety to choose from, including Easter yellow, blue and lilac, grosgrain ribbon or a rustic hessian or jute. At the end of the afternoon, guests took their spring wreaths home, ready to hang on front doors in time for Easter.
We are excited to bring you more workshops with Seaholly Floral Design. Please check our Events Diary as well as Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with what’s going on at Healing Manor Hotel.
Photography Elizabeth Rose Photography
