The basement room that has been designated for a laboratory was used for the crafts that are provided at the annual Christmas open house held in the Osprey House at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center.
The Dec. 4 open house added pine cone angels to its list of crafts, but for size and the number of people working on them, the wreaths and swags were still the most popular. Extra tables had to be set up as people continued to come.
Bill Mineo helped with the art of wreath making as well as providing many of the evergreens. Kathy Romano gave credit to the other people who brought materials.
Grapevine wreaths were made and brought by Mineo who said he raises wine grapes and has plenty of clippings to make the wreaths. Twine was provided but several people chose to twist the evergreens tightly into the openings of the wreaths.
The bases usually have a loose place in the vines that will make a natural hanging point but it has to be reinforced with string.
He suggested using white-pine branches first because of their flexibility. They should be twisted into the base but can then be tied. Branches are overlappe