There’s more to wreaths than branches and flowers. For an innovative living design that has longevity, attend a workshop that shows how to use succulents.
Scotts Valley resident and cactus wreath maker, Tamara Cucchiara, teaches her workshop on Sunday, noon to 4:00 p.m., at Love Apple Farm, at 2317 Vine Hill Rd, Santa Cruz. There are still a few spaces left.
Cucchiara fell in love with the idea of cactus wreaths approximately ten years ago, when she saw a sculpture of a woman that was made out of succulents in Sunset Magazine.
“I became obsessed that you can design with these living beauties so I started my own,” she said. She taught herself how to do it.
Instead of being a hobbyist, she turned into an expert after she was asked to make wreaths for the Homeless Garden Project.
“I was on the farm, and they lost their lavender,” she said. “So we decided to design succulent wreaths and help the homeless fundraise.”
Since then, Cucchiara has been sharing her knowledge with whoever is interested, including students at UCSC.
“We’re in a drought, and people are trying to have beautiful gardens and this is a way to have that,” she said.
For $119, workshop students are taught how to create and care for their wreaths. The cost also covers the entire materials requirement. The estimated time to make each wreath is three hours.
“What’s most important is knowing how to correctly design a wreath,” Cucchiara said. “It’s also important to know that it takes about three weeks for succulents to root.” With that kind of a time frame, the wreaths should be ready just in time for the holidays.
Cucchiara confirmed that succulents are easy to grow and need little water, but require protection from the frost.
“They can grow forever as long as they are in the right environment,” she said. “They really like only two hours of direct sunlight outside. If they are near a window, that’s sufficient.”
Judy Ferguson signed up to take the class to address the succulents that she currently has growing in pots.
“I really just got to know succulents, thanks to Tamara, and I am finding there are so many different varieties,” she said.
Ferguson said she plans to use the wreath she makes for reference after the class, and then eventually give it away as a gift.
“I think stuff like that is special,” she said.
For those who cannot make this weekend’s workshop, Cucchiara also has one coming up November 7 at Alladin Nursery in Watsonville. Contact her at 510-978-8588 for more information, and check out her Pinterest account for more pictures.
