What goes into making a great Christmas wreath

Today we're going to chat about what goes into making a Wreath. Most of the greens we use, except for Magnolia leaves & Boxwood, are sourced from Thunder Bay and surrounding areas. Greens are picked after the greens have gone through a "hardening- off" period, i.e. 2-3 nights of consecutive below zero temperatures.  Wreaths stay green for a longer period of time, lasting well into February. 

If Wreaths are in full sun and direct wind, they will not last as long and will turn yellow. The wreath above is our deluxe square evergreen. 

Many hours are spent collecting cedar, white pine, balsam, red pine, and birch. 

And red osier Dogwood branches. These look amazing in planters and evergreen pots. 

Our Evergreen and Magnolia wreaths are lush and really make a statement. 

We add wired ribbon bows, pine cones, bells, stars, and other embellishments. 

Every Wreath made here at The Camellia is hand wired, as opposed to being glued. This means that your wreath should not fall apart with normal use. 

Here is a close-up of a big box store Wreath, see all that glue? It holds for a while, then the components of the wreath fall off. This leads to more tossing into the landfill. 

This is one of our wreaths, which was outside, in a covered deck, this is what it looked like in April, it was made in November of the year before.  

When you are buying a Wreath this Christmas season, think about buying locally. Here at The Camellia, we have a limited number of fresh wreaths. And next time you go to a Hand-made show, don't assume that the artisan has a truckload of wreaths, it takes many hours of hard work to produce a wreath. Here at The Camellia we are now taking orders for fresh wreaths, with a delivery date of Dec. 1st or 2nd. 2015.

Our Christmas Open house is coming up this weekend, November 21, 22. 2015

www.thecamellia.com

The Camellia, 30/32 Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, On. p(807)475-3551

Artisans Northwest 40th. Show, The Camellia, Thunder Bay

For the best in Handmade, Visit The Artisans Northwest Show at the Valhalla Inn, on this Saturday Nov. 14 from 10-5p. And also on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015 from 10-4p.

And today, as if by magic, we had our first snowfall. 

Artisans work really hard to make Handmade products especially for you. 

Our Paris themed fresh evergreen. 

You will find our booth in the Odin room, at the Valhalla Inn,  Artisan Camille Overmeer. 

And many other fabulous booths - Hamata Creations by Elaina Roberts. 

Pat Huber's Teddy Bears. 

See you at the Artisans show! We are open here at The Camellia on Hacquoil Rd. on 

Sat. Nov. 14, 2-5p. Sun. Nov. 15, 12-3.

p-(807)475-3551

What's NEW in the Cottage Paint world at The Camellia

What's new in  Cottage Paint? Cottage Paint SERENITY is the new baby. It has excellent mar resistance, adhesion and lay down. Lay down refers to the flattening out once you brush Serenity on. Available in all the same colours as the original Cottage Paint , 50 or more. No top coat required with Serenity. 

Now you can  turn new wood into Barnboard ...with Cottage Paint.

Lovely for making shelving ...Restoration Hardware style shelving. 

New is URBAN Paint - for that contemporary Loft style, you can paint furniture, brick, and even do a dramatic feature wall. 

This is an old wooden frame with plaster mouldings, in perfect shape. The BEFORE.

The AFTER. Painted with Cottage White (part of the Cottage Paint Whites) 

Painting upholstery with Cottage Paint....

The AFTER - we'll post a better photo later. The legs were painted with Turquoise to match the stripes, the finish looks and feels like leather. We finished with a satin wax. Want to know more? Come into our store, the Camellia, we have a large selection of Cottage/chalky Paint, you can also take classes, and of course, our advice is free. 

The Camellia, 30 Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, On. 

Proud to be part of the Gems of Thunder Bay.

Open Wed. 11-5, Thurs. 12-5. Fri 11-5, Sat 11-5, Sun. 12-5

www.thecamellia.com

Classes at The Camellia, Slate River, Thunder Bay, On

Today we're sharing some  photos from some of our recent classes at the Camellia. 

This is our Beginners' Cottage/chalk Paint class.

We cover several techniques such as 1 colour distressing, and 2 colour distressing .

You get to try Crackle medium, dry brushing, and antique glazes. 

And waxing and varnishing. 

This class is a full 3 hours. The 22nd. of October class is changed to  October 30th. 2015. We will also have a Beginners class in November on the 24th. or 25th. 

This is our Stencil class. 

It was a fun evening for a Sisters reunion. You can book your own class with 4 or more people. 

And some photos from the Fall Wreath-making class, This is a Harvest Wreath made with all kinds of preserved foilage and dried grasses and grains. Made the old-fashioned way, all wired in by hand. 

And here is a Happy hydrangea wreath, made with fresh blooms. 

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Check our website for upcoming classes, at www.thecamellia.com

The Camellia, 30, Hacquoil Rd. 

p(807)475-3551

Open Wed. 11-5, Thurs. noon-5, Fri. 11-5, Sat. 11-5. Sun. 12-5

We are a GEM OF THUNDER BAY, http://www.gemsoftbay.com/

Shop the Gems of Thunder Bay Event

Looking for that special Holiday Gift? Shop the Gems of Thunder Bay - Unique, local shops that offer great customer service, unique products, and best of all, product knowledge. Have you ever gone into a Big Box store, looking for some help, and walked out a while later, feeling upset at having wasted time walking up and down the aisles. Shop local Gems, when it comes to shopping for that special Gift. Talk to a real person, not a robot on a website, or some drop-shipper in another country. 

Particpating gems are:  

Bloomers and the Brownhouse, 

The Camellia From Nature to Home, 

Bee Happy Candles, 

Sleeping Giant Antiques, 

The Little Mermaid, 

Portobello Home, 

Flair Athletics, 

Tim's Whole Health, 

Threads in Time, 

Silhouette Boutique, 

The Painted Turtle Art Shop & Gallery 33, 

The Mystic Garden, 

Window Light Photo Gallery, 

Vitality Natural Food market, 

 Shine Photo. 

Ask for your Gems postcard, collect a total of 5 stamps with purchases, and enter to win prizes! For information, phone 475-3551, or 624-9005. 

For more information, visit the website at    www.gemsoftbay.com

Happy Thanksgiving from The Camellia, Slate River, On

FALL is upon us, and Thanksgiving is almost here. 

Set a beautiful Table with faux flowers, like the design above. Flowers can be changed out seasonally, and the glass vase is airy and light. Using top quality, realistic looking faux flowers is a must. 

Pumpkins are lovely for Pumpkin Pie, and Cake and lattes.....

Order fresh flowers to send to someone you care about ... we deliver in Thunder Bay and area. Call toll-free at 1-877-523-7444. This is a lovely shop in Sonoma Valley, Cali. (we wish our shop looked like this, though).

Come into our store, The Camellia, for Tablecloths - these are water repellent & stain resistant. Most spills will wipe up with a damp rag, and they are machine washable. We have many patterns in stock.They are sized in rounds 70", squares 70" x 70", rectangles 78" long, 94" long, and up to 126". not sure what size your table is? just think about how many can sit at your table. A 94" rectangle holds 4 persons sitting across from one another, plus 2 persons on the ends, with a 10" overhang on each side.  

We are Open Wednesday through Sunday. 

Wed. 11-5. 

Thurs. 12-5

Fri. 11-5.

Sat. 11-5

Sun. 12-4 (Thanksgiving)

30, Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, On. 

p.807 475 3551

www.thecamellia.com

Happy Fall!

It's officially the first day of Fall today! Remembering our Mr. Benji, always by my side when I am tromping through the yard picking ferns, berries and branches to create Fall wreaths. And sniffing outside the vegetable garden for any forgotten tomatoes, he loved his tomatoes. Well, here in Slate River Valley , we have been blessed with an abundant Harvest and warm weather this Fall. How about you, what's the weather like where you live? 

Something we don't see in the Caribbean  is this colourful changing of leaves. It truly is spectacular. 

A great time to get out and go for a Fall hike. 

You can collect fall foilage to make a Wreath or you attend out Wreath making Workshop. Create a 

Harvest Wreath at The Camellia with dried and preserved foilage - oak leaves, bamboo leaves, wheat and pods, tied with burlap ribbon. In this class, you will learn basic techniques of binding, wiring and bow making. All supplies included in class fee of $95.00 +hst. Class takes place Sept. 30th. 2015 from 6.30 - 8.30p. 

  Come out to our Fall Open house which starts this Saturday , September 26th. at 30, Hacquoil Rd. 

p(807)475-3551

Open Wed. 11-5, Thurs. 12-5, Fri. 11-5, Sat.11-5. Sun. 12-5.