Design Challenge - Hurricanes

[Tracy D'Amico]

I find in our stock room that we have an ABUNDANCE of class hurricanes - the oldie reverse hourglass style that can hold a pillar or taper - 5"-6"wide x 12"tall.

I'm a little stuck in thinking of something creative and sellable for my traditionial customers, besides the usual one candle c/p for Xmas.

Any creative ideas out there?

 

[inferno63]

I have been on a mission to see things in a different creative way and use flowers and products in non-conventional ways. I am trying to train myself in this way so I am going to take a shot at this challenge.

Two things come to mind, first why not fill the hurricane with something other than a candle? Maybe fill with ornaments or candy, etc. ?

The second thing is to use it on it's side and work something through it since both ends are open?

I love design challenge threads. It gets my creative juices pumping.

 

[Flowers& magazine]

This is a cute hurricane chimney (on the right) with a little wreath of hypericum berries inside it, wrapped with lily grass and copper bullion and suspended from a cinnamon stick on top (the garland is made of hypericum berries strung on spool wire). No candles!


Design by Lynn Moss AIFD, AAF, PFCI
Photography by Ron Derhacopian
from the November 2009 issue of Flowers& magazine

 

[Palms]

Fill the hurricant with gel balls and coloured water and then site a dish on top and design out of that with flowing materials down the side and grasses with pearls. Ameranthus would look fab. Choice of flowers could be your own.

You could put lights in the water too.

I would do a couple of designs and then hire them out for weddings. They will more than earn for you.

 

[HeatherTuckey]

I know this is boring, but it is sellable... and very pretty I think. We sell quite a few of these in Xmas theme. I think they look great with upscale flowers like orchids, kale, freesia, gerbs, lilies, etc. At Xmas you can do mostly various evergreens and foliages with cool xmas decorations, berries, ribbons, etc. They really look impressive and huge. Easily sell for $100+. I really think TF did a great job with their Fall and Xmas hurricane and pillar candle arr's these past two years. They are really very pretty. A high retail value, but the hurricanes and pillars are pricey, so they add up quick.


http://www.teleflora.com/flowers/bouquet/harvest-hurricane-225282p.asp

 

[Tracy D'Amico]

Fill the hurricant with gel balls and coloured water and then site a dish on top and design out of that with flowing materials down the side and grasses with pearls. Ameranthus would look fab. Choice of flowers could be your own.

These hurricanes don't have bottoms - open at both ends, otherwise I'd just use them up as vases and call it a day.

I'm thinking of trying some wire acents on them, or using another vase inside as a sleeve to a candle, and using angel vine between them .... these were acquired from another shop super cheap, but I'd like to use them up and make some $$.

thanks for your ideas - I have something to build on now!

 

[RWK]

I have done this before and I love the look. Instead of putting a candle in your hurricane as you normally do for a centerpeice......fill the hurricane with fresh or faux cranberries and then set a small dish with a candle on top.

 

[CHERYL BAKIN]

Tracy:
#1. Turn your hurricane on its side. Use an Oasis igloo inside (may need to we large or medium -- depending upon the hurricane size.

Flow your arrangement out both ends. You can lay the hurricane in a 6" clear lomey, with foam around it, so it does not rock & roll, or place it in a wooden hurricane cradle.

We usually place pitto, or other moss or greens over the igloo before we place inside the hurricane, then only a few insertions are needed into each end.

#2. Glue the hurricane to the bottom of a glass flat cake plate & fill with pretty mm balls or oraments in different sizes. Momchromatice makes a stunning statement. You can use your decorative wire, beades, etc on the outside, and complete the look.
Depending on the size of the cake plate, you could finish the bottom with christmas pines, oranaments, etc. , and possibly some votive candles.
cheryl

 

[HeatherTuckey]

I have done this before and I love the look. Instead of putting a candle in your hurricane as you normally do for a centerpeice......fill the hurricane with fresh or faux cranberries and then set a small dish with a candle on top.

Good idea ricky - any idea how long the cranberries last at room temp?

Could also fill with millimeter balls and insert a candle at the top.

B/c pillars are pricey - the cost might be less or the same - with more WOW factor.

UPDATE - sorry I just read Cheryl's suggestion.

 

[RWK]

Heather,

Believe it or not, fresh cranberries last a good while...I've had them last a couple of days at room temp......The trick with cranberries..... put them in your container BEFORE you add water.