'Beachy Wreaths' Creator Annie Gray

It was a day like any other for Annie Gray. The year was 2007 and she, along with her husband, had just moved from the Midwest to a Florida home on the Pinellas beaches. Gray had collected some shells and decided to put them to good use.

“When you have a house in the Midwest, you have to have something on the door,” explained Gray. “So, I made a couple of wreaths for the doors in our new home.”

In admiration of the wreath, foot traffic from the street eventually made its way to Gray’s doorstep. “I literally had people knocking on my door asking, ‘Where did you get your wreath,’” remembered Gray.

She explained that she had made it and from there, friends and strangers urged Gray to take her talent to another level. They suggested that she start making more wreaths and try selling them.

Gray didn’t think much of it at first, but eventually she gave in. “I had no intention of starting a business making wreaths,” said Gray.

There was an ad in the paper for a concert on the beach. Gray called and reserved a spot as a vendor for the event. It was a gamble, but she made about 10 wreaths and sold all but two at the show.

“It was very unexpected,” said Gray. “It became a business because people wanted them.”

Gray kept her job as the Director of Partnership for the Wyman Center in St. Louis, where she is able to maintain her role from her Florida home. Beachy Wreaths by Annie Gray came to life in 2009 when Gray decided to push her wreath-making as an official business.

Since then, Gray has been holding down both positions.

Beachy Wreaths are great as gifts or home decor. Gray has found success in sales for weddings, homes and holidays.

Annie Gray’s work is available for purchase at the Beach Wreaths' online store. Gray also sets up shop at the Saturday Morning Market in downtown St. Petersburg (seasonal).