Let’s Make Something Together

You bring the people. I’ll bring the burlap.

Get your club, organization, coworkers, friends, or favorite group of people together and let's make something!

You provide the space, gather your people, and handle the refreshments if you'd like them. I'll bring the materials, supplies, and instruction we need to turn a table full of burlap into wreaths you'll be proud to say you made yourself.

No experience required. Just bring your group, be ready to create, and plan on having some fun along the way.

Going Back to My Roots

Before there was Shop With The Lad, there was Plaid Lad Wreath Design & More.

Wreaths are quite literally where The Lad began.

What started with burlap, wreath forms, and a whole lot of trial and error eventually grew into the Shop With The Lad you know today. The business has changed quite a bit over the years, but I never forgot where it started — or how to make a really big flower.

Now I'm going back to those roots and bringing the wreath-making table with me.

You'll notice the Plaid Lad Wreath Design & More name watermarked across some of the photos on this page. Those are my original wreaths from throughout the years and a little piece of the history that eventually became Shop With The Lad. 

What Can We Make?

The Sunflower

This is where it all started.

We'll turn poly burlap into an approximately 25-inch sunflower wreath using a recycled plastic wreath board from Unique in the Creek™, the same boards I've used in my own wreath making.

Traditional yellow and green may be the classic, but sunflowers don't necessarily have to be yellow. Different color combinations can give the same wreath an entirely different personality, making this a great option for clubs, organizations, teams, and groups.

The finished poly burlap sunflower can be displayed indoors or outdoors. Like most outdoor décor, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can eventually cause fading. A clear protective spray intended for outdoor or wicker furniture can help protect the material and extend the life of your wreath.

And don't worry if you've never made a wreath before — that's what I'm there for. We'll build it together from beginning to end.

The Plaid Sunflower

Yes, I still call it a sunflower even when there's absolutely nothing yellow about it.

The plaid sunflower uses the same oversized flower concept with specialty burlap and a different center construction to create an entirely different look.

Buffalo plaid makes this one especially fun around the holidays, but different materials and color combinations may be available depending on the project we're planning.

Because specialty designs require different and sometimes additional materials — including the braided rope-style ribbon and half-round foam center used in the plaid flowers — pricing for these workshops differs from the standard sunflower.

We'll choose the design before your workshop so everyone knows what we're making and I can have the correct materials ready for your group.

What About the Horse... or Unicorn?

I'm glad you asked.

The horse wreath is another design that may be available for group workshops — and with a little magic, it can become a unicorn too.

It's an especially fun option for horse clubs, equestrian groups, agricultural organizations, youth groups, or groups looking for something a little different from the traditional flower designs.

Interested in the horse or unicorn? Mention it when you reach out and we'll talk about what you have in mind.

You Bring the People. I'll Bring the Burlap.

Whether you're planning a club activity, team-building event, private gathering, or fundraiser, I'll take care of the creative side so you can focus on bringing everyone together.

Here's how it works:

• Gather your group. Clubs, civic organizations, businesses, nonprofits, friends, and just about anyone else are welcome.

• Choose your wreath. We'll select a design in advance so I can prepare the materials for everyone.

• Provide the space. You'll need enough tables and chairs for your participants. Refreshments are entirely up to you!

• Let's get creative! I'll bring the supplies and guide everyone through making their wreath from beginning to end.

Everyone can take their finished wreath home, give it as a gift, or use it as part of your organization's fundraising efforts.

What Does It Cost?

Workshop pricing depends on the design, materials required, number of participants, and location.

I believe in being upfront about material costs. A traditional sunflower and a specialty buffalo plaid sunflower require different supplies, so they aren't priced the same.

Once I know what your group has in mind, I'll provide pricing before you make any commitments. No surprises or unexpected material charges.

Never Made a Wreath Before?

Perfect! No experience is necessary.

I'll guide everyone through the process step by step. At some point, someone will probably hold theirs up and ask, "Is mine supposed to look like this?"

Probably. We'll figure it out together.

The goal isn't perfection. It's getting your people together, having some fun, and leaving with something you made yourself.

You bring the people. I'll bring the burlap.

— Gary "The Lad"