Actor
As the year draws to a close, I hope you’re finding good cheer and a little peace somewhere between all the chocolate wrappers and mince pie crumbs.
I leave you with an Austrian carol sung by Bryn Terfel that I adore, as well as a heart-warming Christmas story told by the one and only Joanne Gale – you’ll want to share this hidden gem.
In all my time as an actor, working at an event florist has to be one of my favourite side-hustles to date – there is a constant call for creativity that speaks to the artist in me.
This festive season has seen a flurry of activity at Lucy Vail Floristry with a number of Christmas installations, workshops, heaps of conifer foliage, miles of garlands, countless wreaths, baubles, lights and trees.
For two of the installs I was tasked with creating a pair of striking, oversized bows. The challenge was not only the scale of these props, but that they were being displayed outdoors for well over a month and needed to hold out against whatever winter weather blew their way.
Challenge accepted, I set about constructing the bows on a foundation of wooden board, galvanised wire, screws, staples and mesh; then overlaying it all with a fabric skin. The trick, of course, is to conceal this rugged construction and give the impression of a bow made only of velvety, flowing, festive ribbon. Thought they turned out pretty well.
“Only love will save you this time
Cleo Sol
Hopelessly fighting to escape your mind
And nobody can help you
In this foreign land where loneliness can keep you down”
Wait for the baseline, trust me. A soulful groove for the journey…onwards and upwards…little more, little more, just a little more.
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.
Jeffrey Mundell 