Wreaths, Happiness, and How it All Began

“Every wreath tells a story.” It sounds crazy out of context, right? As I sit here typing this essay, I look around my house, which closely resembles Santa’s Military-themed workshop, I laugh at how there’s a pair of Fiskars scissors right next to my keyboard. A wreath, a simple house ornament, would quickly shift the tides of my life, and take me on a journey I never could have imagined.

As an active duty Airman and prior service Marine, I take such pride in my service. While the Air Force was switching over its uniforms in 2020, I looked at mine and wished there was some way to preserve them. While I was on leave in July of 2020, I sat down at my childhood kitchen table with my mother brainstorming a unique way to preserve the uniforms. After a quick Google search, I saw that we could make a wreath out of them. My mother, the craft queen, quickly put her expertise to work, and we created the prototype that would launch the craziest unintentional small business.

After the original was finished, I posted a pixelated picture holding the wreath, rocking a messy bun and oversized sweat pants on my Facebook (featured in the bottom right photo). I had just recently joined a Facebook group for military females, so I decided to show my work there as well. Proud of my little creation, I was unknowing of the effect it would have. Within minutes, I had females from around the country reaching out, begging to send their uniforms over to create a wreath for them. Fiskars scissors in hand, I began working diligently to improve the prototype and ensure its longevity, since I was working solely with raw fabric. From July to December, I had orders trickling in at a feasible pace. I loved hearing the stories attached to the uniforms and the happiness customers displayed upon receiving their wreath.

In December of 2020, the shape of my small hobby would morph into my new identity as the “girl who makes those wreaths”. After completing a wreath with uniforms from 1946 for a family friend, an old coworker of mine caught wind about my project. She worked for the local news station and asked if my wreaths could be featured in a feel-good story for the holidays. I was shocked and quickly agreed. After the live interview aired on December 13th, I was informed that my former coworker had sent the interview to 20 other regional news affiliates because of its success in San Antonio. I began to receive a tidal wave of messages on my Facebook page. One of those messages was from People.com, who wanted to highlight me in an article on their page (bottom left photo). Next came Fox News, ABC with David Muir, and CBS In the Morning. During the holiday season, in the throughs of COVID-19, this was the story people wanted to hear about, and I was honored that my little idea could spark happiness throughout the country in such an uncertain time.

I quickly had to discover how to create an official small business, and with the help of some friends and family, I created a website and became a legal business. Since then, I have created over 350 wreaths and currently have 1,570 customers on my waitlist.

My happiness does not come from the constant grind of cutting, pinning, and gluing, but from the responses of customers and the stories they tell. On countless occasions, I have received notes and pictures highlighting theirs and their loved one’s service. I have received e-mails describing reactions upon opening their box, which consist of a wide range of tears, smiles, and gratefulness. I had a customer send me a video of his closest friend opening her gift. To this day it’s one of my favorite transactions because I was able to see the happiness instead of hearing about it through e-mail or text. Her reaction quickly went from surprise, to happiness to tears, and it’s a constant reminder of why I craft these wreaths. Amazingly enough, that video was then featured on my CBS interview and my customer was able to be part of the interview! Little did I know I would be able to connect with so many strangers through our shared military service.

I once received a uniform from World War I. After opening the box and touching the old wool, I was in awe of the history I was feeling. A uniform from over 100 years ago was in my hands, worn by brave men who paved the way for America. I have received countless uniforms from World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. Feeling and manipulating this historical fabric always gives me goosebumps and reminds me how fortunate I am to be trusted with these materials!

This small business is not all smiles and roses, however. I have made countless wreaths with uniforms from gold star families, choking back tears as I cut their old uniforms. When I receive these uniforms, they are always attached with stories, and I am honored to share their sacrifices on my Facebook page.

The creation of these wreaths is sometimes bittersweet when I recall its origin. My mother, in the terminal stages of cancer, was the entire inspiration for this adventure. Even though I am memorializing uniforms and service through these wreaths, I am also memorializing her craftsmanship. Each time I assemble a wreath, I am constantly reminded of her love and support, which fills me with such happiness.

This new job of mine started as a hobby and has evolved so much in the past year. I am still shocked about how a simple wreath could connect me with strangers throughout the country and evoke countless emotions such as surprise, happiness, and humility. I am excited to continue creating wreaths to honor those who have served and their families. The original wreath, now tattered and beaten, sits by my craft table, reminding me of how far I’ve come.