Elegant handcrafted wreaths Make faux flowers come alive with breathtaking, natural designs

Petrak, founder of floral arrangement site Lorrain's Cottage, turns wreaths into year-round projects in her lovely debut. The wreaths showcase long-lasting artificial flowers, as they're "more forgiving when it comes to designing... all without water and the threat of them withering and shrinking," and Petrak includes advice for making them look as real as possible. First comes a list of necessary supplies (which includes wire cutters, a hot glue gun, and a base made of "intertwined grapevine branches"), followed by a chapter that covers techniques, including trimming and various methods of arranging. Those techniques are then put to use in instructions for making 20 different wreaths, which are broken up into three nature-inspired sections: "From the Garden," "From the Woods," and "From the Fields." Highlights include a sweet summery beginner's project, "The Florio," with its "hints of pink peonies"; the intermediate-level, Halloween-inspired "Havenridge"; and a more advanced entry, "The Kinley," a fern-bedecked wreath that works year-round. Each design is labeled by season and skill level, and step-by-step photos will help crafters along. Full of tips and tricks, this has everything budding flower arrangers need to get started. (Sept.)