Connie Heasley made her first Johns Hopkins wreath 10 years ago, when she came here to join Human Resources, and she hasn't missed a workshop since. Armed with clippers and decked out in holiday clothing--this year, a poinsietta-banded sweater and a holly-patterned apron--she joins other employees who gather on the Homewood campus each year to twist and tie balsam and magnolia branches clipped from the trees of Evergreen House and Homewood.

Judith Proffitt of Homewood House Museum, which sponsors the event, says that the planners try to provide a special element each year to serve as a focus. Last year, it was patriotically painted stars; this year, colorful cockscomb. Also at the ready were pinecones collected by friends of the museum; oyster shells prepared by Beth Nowell of Historic Houses; and bows made by volunteer Angie Dobbin, a retired florist.

Four hands are better than two: Anne Pliska and Julia Nordi team up to make holiday decorations at the wreath workshop, which is held each year on the Homewood campus.

A pinecone here, a bit of cockscomb there: Connie Heasley works on her holiday wreath.