The Power of Imagination and How To Make Flower Crowns
I have a bizarrely-specific memory of an experience I had while babysitting years ago. The four-year-old girl was really into “girly” things like makeup and nailpolish, while my pre-teen self was more interested in ice hockey and pop punk tapes. After her incessant wishes to paint all of my toenails, we centered on a compromise: she could apply pretend makeup to my face, as much as she wanted. With utter focus and concentration, she carefully used a variety of brushes to touch my face, gently sweeping one over my eyelids or down the sides of my cheeks. It wasn’t before long that I fell into a deeply restful state (perhaps my first time experiencing something akin to meditation or hypnosis). When she was finished with her masterpiece, I felt a little sad that such a soothing action was over. It was touching how much precision and concentration she poured into her invisible artwork. To be honest, I felt a bit transformed myself!
We are often encouraged to use our imaginations as children, to invent games and worlds and characters - often a sneaky tool by exhausted parents who hope to get their kids out of the house and doing something on their own. The summers my family spent on a remote fire lookout without any screens or distractions were a foundation for my sister’s and my imaginative growth. One day, we were pirates sailing through oceans of sagebrush. Another day, magical horses wading in the high-mountain brooks. It felt effortless to believe ourselves into a new realm of fantasy. As an adult, my imagination serves me in ways that are usually deemed more “practical”: in coming up with creative new ideas, in envisioning ceramic artwork, in planning magical gatherings. But now there are societal rules to falling too deep into dreaming. One can become someone else entirely, but only when stepping on stage as a performer. One can get sappy and talk about true love, but only after a few glasses of wine. We can create and dress in fantastical costumes, but only if they are based on a character or historical figure, and only at conventions or on Halloween. We have built boxes around our playtimes, our own personal fairytales. What a shame.
Do you remember what it felt like to be a panther, silken fur growing from your paws? Do you remember the crisp salt air rushing over the side of your cardboard pirate ship? Can you taste the hotdog-reimagined-as-carrot in your guinea pig mouth? Many of these memories to me are as visceral as (or perhaps even more than) my “real life” experiences growing up. And yet I confess to feeling a degree of skepticism when I hear an adult self-identify as a mermaid or fairy without a wink or tone of sarcasm.
Indulging in those fairytale-like fantasies is something that I think many people grieve as we grow up and become too old for such frivolity. I miss the days when embodying a different character was as simple as narrating my activities as that character and picturing the story unfolding in front of me. The play my sister and I shared was like a constant game of improv, but without any of the rules or structure. It seemed so simple then!
This is a ritual to get back in touch with that imaginative world of fantasy you may have left behind you, a metaphorical trip back to neverland. It’s designed as a solo ritual, but if you have a trusted friend who will be open enough to truly play with you, then by all means invite them along! Better yet, follow the lead of a child in your life who can lead you back into their own fairytale realm.
Encouraging Imagination Ritual:
You’ll need:
An item of clothing or adornment
A space where you can play without judgement
Directions:
To help yourself get into character, decide on one accessory or garment that represents who you want to embody. (You can also use makeup for this as well.) Remember, you don’t need a full costume, just one item that you tie to the vision of what you want to become.
Sit for a few moments and let your mind wander around who you want to be. Think about what you look like and what your features are. Imagine how your body feels as that entity. Picture your article of clothing containing all the magic you need to completely transform.
Put on your item and become that being. Step out into the world, interacting in character and narrating your actions, if only to yourself.
You may find that this exploration of child-like play works best in a secluded area like out in the woods or in the privacy of your own home. Here, you can be whoever you want to be!
After you have finished playing, take a few moments to write about your experience and if you found anything particularly interesting or insightful. Did it feel fun? Awkward? Exciting? Nostalgic? It may take several tries before you can shed your adult insecurities and let your inner child run free.
Making a Flower Crown:
Bedecking yourself with a flower crown is just one way you can embody the character you’d like to be, and it’s a wonderful accessory for gatherings of all kinds. I believe that everyone should know how to make a flower crown. There are a lot of ways to create them, but this way is my favorite because of its versatility. Your crown can be huge and dramatic like mine, or you can make one that is delightfully delicate. Want an asymmetrical design? Go for it! Using crepe paper flowers? This technique still works. I’ve used branches, feathers, wire designs, and many other things beyond flowers for my crowns before.
You’ll need:
Large gauge wire (like bailing wire or a wire clothes hanger)
Safety glasses
Wire cutter
Gloves and pliers, if the wire is very stiff
Floral tape
An assortment of flowers and greens - try to pick ones that will hold up for a while!
Scissors
Ribbon, if you’d like
Directions:
First you need to create the base for your crown. Cut about 2 ½ feet of wire, then wrap it around your head where you’d like the crown to sit. You’ll want it a little bit loose, since the floral tape and stems will make the opening a bit smaller. Twist the ends of the wire into the circular wire shape. You may need to use pliers to tuck in the sharp ends.
2. Using your floral tape, begin by wrapping the twisted section so that it is padded.
3. Next, prepare your flowers. I’ve found that the best way to get a consistent pattern or design in my crowns is to essentially make a bunch of little mini-bouquets. Grab together a flower and some kind of filler (like greens or smaller flowers.) Cut so that there is about 2” of stem below the part you want shown. Strip that section of stem of any leaves. I like to alternate two patterns, as seen in this crown; arrowleaf balsamroot paired with pink carnations and rabbit brush, and peach roses paired with flowering currant branches.
4. Carefully hold the little posy against the wire crown with your non-dominant hand and wrap the stems in place firmly using floral tape. Once you’ve wrapped down one or two inches, add in another posy and keep on going. If you run out of your first length of floral tape, don’t worry: just cut a new segment and wrap it over some of the existing taped crown a couple of times so that it’s stuck on well, then continue your process.
5. When you come to the end of the crown, you’ll need to wrap the stems as usual, but you may need to wrap some of them on the other side of the first posy bundle.
6. Once everything is tightly wrapped and secure, take a look at your crown and see if you see any empty spaces. Gently and carefully insert more flowers or foliage into the floral tape’s rolls (or use more floral tape to attach them individually.) I like to do this to the top of my crown, then flip it over and do the bottom as well.
7. Add some ribbon if you’d like, and your new flower crown is ready to wear and join you on many wonder-filled imaginary adventures!
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Join me for a little winter night magic as we bake this cake full of rich seasonal flavors and black cocoa!