Creatively Blessed 

Five years ago, I retired from teaching special education. My plan was to be a Substitute Teacher until I collected Social Security, but then the pandemic hit. Although I've been doing some tutoring, most of my time and skills have been devoted to ministries where I am most needed - serving the poor, feeding the sick, and praying with others.  The sense of accomplishment and completeness gained through these activities made me realize I did not want to leave them in order to go back to working a full day in schools.

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As long as I can remember, I have had an intuitive knack for creatively arranging florals into wreaths, swags, candle holders, and bouquets. Throughout the years I turned my creative endeavors into gifts for family and friends: weddings and birthdays and holidays. Less than two months ago I started making wreaths for friends and acquaintances at their request - and just by word of mouth I made 21 wreaths within six weeks! The creative outlet is what I've longed for - along with the quiet solitude of making a wreath and the social aspect of working with and pleasing customers.

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Most of the time, I work right with the person who asks me for a floral design. They send me pictures of where they want it to go and I see exactly where the artwork will be displayed. As I choose the size, I text my customer to see if it is right for their spot. As I choose the colors of the flowers, I send bouquets to see if my customer is happy with the florals we will use. I try my best to work within their budget. And then I get to work!  And if there's something they don't like, I change it!

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The wreaths in my gallery are an assortment of wreaths that I made just this way.  I love working with my customer to make the wreath together.  Home is of utmost importance to me and the idea that something joyful will welcome people home – or into a friend or neighbor’s home - makes creating a wreath pure joy. I am blessed. Let me make one for you!

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With God's blessings,

Debra Buttler Nelson