A Meaningful Christmas Tree
I started my interior design career as a visual merchandiser. This is a great training ground for a career in interior design as well as Christmas Tree Decorating. I have done all of the fancy “Designer Trees” with over the top items, baubles, fillers etc. My personal favourite kind of tree is a personal one with a little bit of “Designer” added in.
I always incorporate interesting ornaments on my tree, as each one has a story behind it. For those of you starting your own family traditions or putting up your first Christmas Tree here are some of my favourite ornaments and my memories.
Hopefully you will be inspired to find & collect your own interesting ornaments.
My Aunt Betty sent me the Dragonfly ornaments many years ago when they were “The Item” to have in your home - I even had a Dragonfly Paper Weight! I appreciate the details and colouring on them, and the thoughtfulness of my Aunt for sending them to me.
When I was little we would go ice fishing on Christmas morning with my Papa. Most likely it was to get us kids out of the house so my Nana could cook the days meals in peace and quiet. We would catch usually, Perch (my Favourite), Jackfish, and Pickerel. This one looks like a Rainbow Trout, much prettier than the ones we caught! It still reminds me of my Papa and brings back this fond memory of him and Christmas morning.
The Hand Blown Glass Pear was given to me by my Birth Mother a few years ago. We didn’t connect until I was in my 40’s and have slowly built a wonderful friendship and exchange Christmas and Birthday Gifts. We both appreciate the arts, and usually the gifts are either handmade or from a local artisan.
Artist: Ted Jolda
This is our Handsome Dog Ben A.K.A. Benny, Benjamin Billey! I had these Ceramic ornaments made for gifts to give my Sisters and my close friends who all have fur babies. It makes me smile everytime I place it on the tree and remember him. The Ceramic Artist is local and she does an Amazing likeness to the animal - she of course does commissions and you can find her at the local “Old Strathcona Farmers Market”.
Artist: Gloria Ohrt / grohrt@shaw.ca
GRO Porcelain
Row 6 (stall h – to the right of Theo’s Greek Food)
This Tin Nail Punch Star I made with my nephew Lucas. I had picked up the kit to make them at the Gift Shop in “The Alamo” in San Antonio, Texas. I was there on a business trip and brought it back to make them with him as gifts for family members. What a fun time we had hammering nails together!
Artist: Lucas Derhak