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PINETOWN —  Penny Askew of Pinetown lives on a farm where she enjoys gardening, bee keeping and housing chickens, but since last Christmas, she has been making and selling wreaths, after her daughter suggested she take her talent and go into business for herself.

“I have always loved making things. Last year, I made a few Christmas gifts and a wreath for our front door,” Askew said. “My daughter said that I should really try to make them to sell, and I enjoyed making them. So, after the Christmas holiday, that’s what I did.”

She remodeled her garage into a crafting area where she enjoys painting, making wreaths, jewelry, decorative arrangements and personalized gifts such as monogrammed clothing, coasters, care decals, wood burnings and more, according to Askew. She said wreaths are more versatile than just a round evergreen Christmas decoration, laced with red berries and mistletoe. They can be designed and decorated to fit the mood of any season as a perfect greeting to houseguest, and a stylish front door or house ornaments—some welcome visitors, others portray colorful flowers or more whimsical designs.

Askew uses ribbon, burlap or other types of mesh, plaques and silk flowers on grape vine and wire wreaths. After getting the right color of mesh, she cuts it and builds different shapes, gluing each layer on top of another.

It can take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple hours in order to complete a wreath, including the time it takes for glue to dry.

“I started making wreaths first when I got into crafting, because they sell so well,” Askew said. “My husband and I both work full time, but our goal is to homestead.”

Askew can be reached through her Facebook page for crafting requests.