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Sustainability Statement

‘SUSTAINABILITY OF THE DESIGN
REDUCE: Put simply, I used what I have available on hand, without sourcing from outside. This is actually quite a challenge as usually i would buy in whatever is needed for projects. In the past two years since the Pandemic started actually, I have adapted to trying to use less sourced items and more of the materials I have in stock. As such it is a different mindset. All elements for the main part of the wreath are natural materials which are biodegradeable. This has challenged me to not use wire.

REUSE: The stand on which the wreath is displayed is reused and adapted to hold the wreath. The mechanic added to the stand is a handcrafted ring finished with a green wool wrap which is very versatile for future pieces. By adapting the stand, the wreath is held securely - simply tied onto the structure with wool.

REUSE: To give additional texture a bark featured wreath with green wool wrap (made for another project) has been incorporated into the design for added interest and emphasise.

THE DESIGN: The design of the coiled round layers represents the journey from this life to the next, to eternal life. The lighter coloured rattan coiled with rafia and cotton represents this life. Also representing this life is the added element of the reused wreath of bark representing the earth. As the coil becomes thicker it becomes green representing the journey to eternal life.

MECHANICS: The coil wreath is tied to the stand which can be removed very easily by undoing the tie. The reused bark wreath simply sits on the front of the arm at the top of the stand - it is simply lifted off to remove.

This Challenge has both educated me and helped to plan for the future projects. My business is far more sustainable now than it has ever been.’

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List of Botanicals & Supplies Used

SUPPLIES & BOTANICALS USED FOR THE DESIGN:

COIL WREATH:
- Rattan is the core
- Paper from Administrative tasks in the business such as notes and sketches for previous projects have been used as fill for the thicker part of the coil
- Rafia is bound around the core
- 100% Cotton is used to bind also and introduce colour
- Nephrolepis exaltata
- Fern Boston Fluffy Ruffles is wrapped around the thicker part of the coil
- Howea forsteriana
- Kentia Palm
- Inflorescence used to reinforce the round form and add texture and reinforce colour

REUSED Bark Wreath
This wreath was made for a previous project and used as a display for the past two years. It does have wire in the core however the base was bulked with paper which was bound with wire some years ago. It is finished with 100% wool wrap and features bark from our Angophera costata - Sydney Red Gum located in our garden along with gumnuts - the bark was hot glued onto the wreath years ago. It was good to be able to reuse this in the design and due to the mechanics it has been used for the past two years without failing.

REUSED STAND
The metal stand was part of a workshop approx. 5 years ago and reused. A wire enforced round form with an arm at the top was made to adapt the stand for the purpose of holding round objects securely. The round form structure was finished with a cotton wrap which can be easily removed from the stand and used for future projects

Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this challenge.