5 Wreath Making Mistakes that I wish I knew before starting my wreath making business. 

In the years since I first began my wreath making business, I have acquired many tips and tricks that I wish I would have known when first starting out.  Looking back, I now realize that I wasn’t always working as efficiently as I could have been –  often spending more time and effort to get less done.

Not any more.  

There are a few things I would have done differently in the beginning, and 5 things I wouldn’t do if I could start all over again. Do yourself a favor, and learn from my mistakes!

5 Wreath Making Mistakes I Wish I Knew

MISTAKE #1:  Using inexpensive wire cutters

I definitely would NOT use the cute little pink wire cutters I originally got from Hobby Lobby!

Go ahead and get yourself some heavy duty ones, and throw the cheap ones away.  Wire cutters are a frequently used tool in the wreath making workshop, so look for a pair that has:

• A comfortable grip 
• A precise cutting nose
• Good cutting strength
• Agile jaws

And… investing more in a good quality pair of wire cutters now will save you from having to buy repeat pairs of the cheaper ones when they fall apart, saving you money in the long run.

These are my favorite wire cutters from Amazon.

 

MISTAKE #2:  Throwing in the towel when bow making becomes a pain

I would NOT give up on making bows just because my hands hurt.  Now I know that there is a better way!

Get yourself a bow maker, like the E-Z Bow Maker. 

Bow makers:

• Simplify the bow-making process, preventing strain on your hands.
• Allow you to make many different styles of professional looking bows.
• Can be used with any type or size of ribbon.

Don’t let frequent breaks to relieve your tired hands slow you down.

Always wanted to learn how to make your own wreath bows? Here's a FREE WREATH BOW video tutorial!

 

MISTAKE #3: Getting burned by hot glue guns

Don’t keep burning yourself using hot glue guns!  

I frequently talk about how much I love my electric glue skillet because this tool’s efficiency has been transformative in the wreath-making workshop.

Electric glue skillets:

• Prevent you from burning your hands while fumbling with a glue gun.
• Give you quicker access to more hot glue. You won’t have to wait around on a glue gun to melt the glue when you’re working quickly.
•  Keep the glue at your desired consistency.  Electric skillets that have temperature dials allow you to control the temperature of your glue to keep it at a precise consistency.

 Get yourself an electric glue skillet.  It’s a game changer, I promise.

Here's the Small Electric Skillet that I use every day in my wreath workshop!

What to learn more about how to use a hot glue pot? Here's a blog post with ALL you need to know!

 

MISTAKE #4:  Using floral foam instead of spray foam

Ditch the floral foam and start using spray foam.  I LOVE THIS STUFF! 

Floral foam has its place, but spray foam is often the better material for the job when it comes to artificial flowers.

Spray foam is:

• Inexpensive.
• Easy to use. Just follow the directions on the back of the container.
• Versatile. One of the main benefits of spray foam is that it can easily fill even the most awkwardly shaped containers, big and small. 
• Allows for creativity! Spray foam’s versatility means that you are only limited by your own imagination when it comes to all of the ways it can be used.  

Yes, you have to prep a little in advance when using spray foam (it needs to dry completely before it’s ready for use), but it is totally worth it!

I've got a video tutorial ALL ABOUT SPRAY FOAM! You can get it HERE!

 

MISTAKE #5: Getting in my own way as a wreath maker

Don’t get in your own way as a wreath maker.  You just have to get started!  It may not be great at first, but you will learn as you grow.  

Remember:

• What inspired you to start making wreaths?  Don’t forget to enjoy the parts of the process that made you want to start your own wreath-making business.  The creative process can be incredibly fun and fulfilling.  
• Sometimes done is better than perfect. Don’t let your desire for perfection stop you from moving forward.  Perfection paralysis is real, and it can be your worst enemy.  
• You are capable of more than you know. You don’t have to know everything before you get started. Trust your ability to figure things out. I’m betting that you are far more clever and resourceful than you even realize.

There's a whole playlist of Wreath Making Business Questions and Answers available on TikTok!

Over the years, I have learned to maximize my time and minimize my effort while creating beautiful and professional looking wreaths. I hope these tips will help you to take a giant leap forward in the journey of your own business.  I can’t wait to see what you make!

Do you have any tips and tricks that you wish you would have known from day one?  

Post them in the comments below!