Staff Writer
Natalie Ireland, proprietor of Wreaths by Natalie, located at 998 Presque Isle Road, in Caribou, is not only creating handmade wreaths for home decoration, as well as working full-time as a pharmacy technician, she will be a participant in June 4, 2010 Relay for Life of Aroostook County event.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Natalie Ireland, owner of Wreaths by Natalie, located on the Presque Isle Road in Caribou displays two of the five red-branch wreaths she will offer for a $20 donation to the Relay for Life of Aroostook County, June 4 walk. Each donation from these wreaths will be made in the name of the customer who purchases the item.
A team member on the Evangelical Covenant Church of New Sweden team, led by Pastor Daniel Clayborne, Ireland is going a step farther, as she offers five, red-branch wreaths for a $20 donation which will benefit the Relay for Life walk. Each $20 donation will be made in the customer’s name. The wreaths will be available this weekend, May 14-15 at the business location. Irving will also donate $1 from any other wreath purchased, now through June 4 to Relay for Life.
Ireland opened her business in 2002 and estimates she has about 25 years of crafting experience. “We (she, her husband Paul, Arlene and sister Beverly Holmes) cut most all of our own branches and grow/dry the flowers used in making the wreaths and other arrangements. We try to grow as much as possible, because it helps keep the price of my creations down, in turn passing the savings on to my customers,” stated Ireland.
“My mom (Arlene Plourde) who also helps with the home-décor business, is the real reason I became involved in this type of crafting,” said Ireland. “She taught AdultEd dried-flower arrangement classes and asked me to be there at times during her class. She is still much better at creating arrangements than I am so when I have someone come to the shop looking for this type of display I often call on her,” she added.
