Transcript of Interview:

DB: I thought you could tell me about your business.  What do you do in your business?

MB: I am passionate about the outdoors and nature and we live in this incredible environment and I wanted to bring a little piece of that back into people’s homes. I bring nature to your door.

DB: What are the benefits of that?  Why do people want greens in their home?

MB: I know that personally [greens] are very soothing to me and I just think nature is so beautiful.  Nature is art to me.  Rather than all… the blingy glitzy things I just think that nature is so beautiful on its own and incorporating that into your décor or celebrating the season in a more natural way with the rythyms of nature and the cycles that she brings and the different plants that we appreciate at different times of year is really important to me.

So of course the coniferous greens that are typical for this time of year have a fabulous scent about them. Just having that aromatherapy – is piece of the season that I think most people respond to. Our sense of smell is so important and so often when you think of Christmas you think of the scent of pines and the smells that the Christmas trees bring.

DB Right. And in some cultures – in Japan – people actually walk in the forest to get the scent. I think it’s called forest bathing.

MB: Yes they do! It translates as forest bathing. Its easily picking up as a trend in the [United] States as well and I know these guys, or leaders, actually take people out and you are surrounded by nature and you have all the wonderful benefits and the negative ions that the forest would give off and you have the aromatherapy. And it’s scientifically proven now to reduce stress and boost the immune system.

DB So when you buy a wreath you are bringing nature indoors?

MB: They are totally bringing nature indoors. I just love how you can get that beauty and the therapeutic benefits of nature. It can be[right there] on your door. We often live such busy hectic lives as city dwellers and its surprising how walking past some beautiful fresh bows that are on your doors. Looking at it, smelling it, touching it – just sort of takes us back [to nature] and it really does soothe our spirit and is healthy for us. [Its now] scientifically proven to be healthy.

DB: So if people can’t afford it, to come and buy a beautiful wreath, what would you suggest that they collect in their own garden right now?

MB: We have an abundance of beautiful spruce trees that were planted. I mean the city planted a number of conifers that I call it the city juniper. It has great little berries on it [Buffalo Juniper]. I love using juniper in the creations that I make. And those little berries make Gin so that’s a fun great educational trivia you can learn about. People might have a beautiful juniper hedge and don’t even know that that’s what those berries can be turned into.

We have an abundance of blue spruce in Calgary as well and I just love that beautiful colour and texture. Bringing that in. The pine cones, even that we get. You might even have some cedar trees that are thriving in your yard.

DB: And it doesn’t hurt the trees to take these branches off?

MB: No, and that’s another reason why It’s part of my business. It’s all very sustainable. It’s actually really healthy for my business to prune trees. Go out in your yard, cut off some tips of your trees. It rejuvenates it. It will grow back stronger and healthier for next year. It’s sort of a win-win. I always joke that no trees are hurt in the making of my wreaths.  We collect everything in the healthiest, most sustainable way that we can.

DB: So people can just go our and clip off some branches themselves and bring them indoors or they can attend a workshop. Do you have workshops going?

MB: Absolutely. That has become one of the biggest and most popular parts of my business. I did start off just doing wreaths as the name says but I started offering a bunch of workshops so I provide all the materials. I gather the boughs. I teach you how to prepare a winter pot. Our climate is very specific here in Calgary so I use a specific method for putting the branches into the pot. I also really love integratingthe natural twigs and branches that we have here.

So its not just about the evergreens that are available. We’ve got the red osier dogwood in Southern Alberta that is just so gorgeous. It’s got that rich red bark that is just so perfect at Christmas time. We also have a lot of birch boughs. We have alder species. Anything really that you have around in your yard can be clipped off and brought indoors. We always integrate beautiful twigs into our planters and pinecones and then I’ve got a great variety of decorative bows. Just little hits of bling to add to nature. I don’t want to take too much away from the beauty of the natural product.

So people come in in groups. It’s a lovely night out. I provide some warm  cider. And you go home with a gorgeous planter for your doorstep.

DB: That sounds really fun. So how do people get a hold of you to register?

MB: So you can visit [our web site or shop.] I operate out of Wolfwillow Studio and that is in the SprucecliffPlaza. And you can google www.wolfwillowstudio.ca or reach me at 403-690-4877.

DB: Excellent.