Art of Gardening get lesson in wreath making from Olivesburg craft artist

Floral Designer Karen Pruner showcased her talent for wreath making, demonstrating how to make fresh and artificial wreaths to Art of Gardening members on Nov. 1 at Peace Lutheran Church, Ashland.

She can be found at her home flower shop a mile south of Olivesburg, 4385 Ohio 545, where she sells wreaths.

Pruner’s training began out of high school (Ashland, class of 1976). She is known for beautifully designed everlasting florals and succulent plants. In addition to her home flower shop, she is employed part-time at Buehler’s, where she loves working with fresh flowers. She started the Olive Branch in 1980, a garden club in Olivesburg, which lasted 20 years.

“Pine holds up pretty well” in wreath making, she said. A bow, raffia, red velvet and pine cones adorn the freshly created wreath she made. Pruner incorporates the use of broomcorn, which she grows in everything. It’s “my signature,” she said. Broomcorn, a variety of sorghum, is used in broom making.

“You can use anything you’ve got” in the creation of artificial wreaths, she said. Pruner said she does a lot of funerals. She offers her services at weddings.

A memorial stone that will recognize Art of Gardening members who have passed away was delivered at the Historical Society by Kathy Bargar, co-president of the Art of Gardening Club, and her husband, Jim, Nov. 1. Bargar said the stone was finished and sandblasted. The stone was placed by the club’s Weeping Cherry.

The founding date of the Art of Gardening Club, 2005, is inscribed. The next step will be small memorial markers with the names Kathy Norris, Barbara Mooney, Ella Copeland and Diana Kowalka to be added. The stone was donated by David Seiss. Sandblasting was donated by Ashland Monument Company.

Christmas at Kingwood is open 4-9 p.m. Nov. 25-Dec. 30; closed on Mondays. Tickets must be purchased in advance on the Kingwood website.

Christmas brunch with bacon will be at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 6 at the Historical Society Manor House with Kelley catering. The cost is $10 for members, with the club picking up the remainder.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Wreath designs shared at meeting of Ashland's Art of Gardening Club