I need Your Input!!

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Peppi

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Jan 22, 2006
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Jamacia
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NY
Hey guys! long time no type...(on my end that is). And why (of course) would I type unless I needed to use and abuse you for your input! (I know, reality hurts). I really do love this site and think it is a priceless source for those of us in this crazy industry.
On to my question:
1) Do any of you ever do any of those custom "form" arrangements (outside of hearts and crosses)...you know, those barney's and giutars made of of flowers?
2) If you do, are they cost effective? (...do you make anything off of them after all that labor involved)
3) If you had a source of premade foam or oasis forms that made it as easy as doing Hearts and crosses, would you sell more of them?
4) how often do you do them and do you see a need for them if they could be done as nice/efficiently as hearts and crosses?

Obviously, I know someone looking into this market to see if there even is one before investing too much time and money.

Really would love as much feed back as possible.
Thanks for your wisdom Oh great Flower Chaters of the Web waves :)!
Pep
 
Hi Peppi... I wish you would post more, even if just for the fun you give me. I love reading your posts. :)

I've only been asked to create a hockey stick (small) in an arrangement. It was New Years Eve and I would've given my eye teeth to have had a form, just to simplify the project. If there is such an item and it is required, then the cost is factored into the end result. However, I can't say if there is a need generally... not my area anymore. :)

V
 
We've done a number of custom sprays and things over the years.

We frequently do different types of fish as members of local fishing clubs die off. We've done golf clubs and bags, too. Dump truck, pickup truck, and tractor trailer, too. But I think the most notable one we did was a spray done in the center of a giant Milk Bone dog treat that we had carved and painted out of styrofoam. It was done for a bachelor's service whose best friend was his surviving dog which accompanied him everywhere he went. It looked just like the real thing. And the funeral home took pictures of it and sent it into some trade magazine and they published it. If you can describe it or get us a picture, we can probably do it.

We custom make all of our oddities. And I doubt we'd be interested in a source for them because they're almost all different.
 
Occasionally we get requests to make specialty forms. Lighthouse, Tractor, Baseball, a number specific to a Nascar guy ( I forget which ), Playing Card.

These pieces tend to be pretty pricey, not just because of making a custom from, but because of the sheer amount of flowers they typically use. Customers often call with a request, but once the price comes up, we mutually find a way to incorporate the request into an accent for the piece. The only way I could see selling more of these specialty items would be if the cost could be improved.

I don't know how worthwhile a pre-form would be, because there isn't a lot of repeat in this type of request. Unless you could make components that could be built into a from, but that's what we already do!

tracy
 
Yo Pep,
Don't you have enough to keep you occupied? Looking for another business to develop? I just adore ya! We get very few requests for special set pieces these days. The cost usually makes customers rethink these ideas. I wouldn't have the need for specialty forms too often.
 
Every Week...

I have really started doing more and more specialized pieces, we average one a week. I have done Fish, Dogs, Trucks, Artist Palette, Rainbow, Guitar, Baseballs, NY Yankees Emblem, Florida Gator, and have a GA Bulldog for tomorrow, so it seems everyweek I am cutting out something else, it would be nice to have a template, especially for sports emblems, just my 2 cents....
 
WE don't get a lot of request for shapes and as someone stated previously once you start talking price a lot of folks change their mind and just want something in the arrangement to symbolize the item (toy truck, baseball etc.). Having said that we have done a riding lawn more, pepsi truck, soft ball, lottery ticket, and the topper an anatomically correct black angus bull. The customer said Dad wouldn't want some cow standing on his grave he would want one of his bulls". He bred black angus bulls for breeding stock. WE could probably sell more if we had a good affordable source for the shapes and pushed them but they are such a pain in the butt to cut out and do that we don't really encourage a bull when a heart will do.

have a day,
Bob
 
Would love to see a form for the Rotary emblem and such also Harley. Don't do alot because of cost but if we could use a form instead of cutting we could sell them alot easier.
 
We have specialized in these things for about 7 years now. Originally did forms with oasis-like foam. A really good idea, the problem was cutting and making them and then packaging and shipping them in the short time between your customer's request and you getting them in time to assemble flowers in time for the wake. We now do finished pieces in silk flowers only and they are doing very well. [ they have kept us in the business during these terrible days] We have been thinking of doing the figures in flock and silk petals for florists to assemble on their own background. We have been providing finished pieces for virginia florists for a few years now. Our very basic and simple website is SYMBOLIC-TRIBUTES.COM. Give a look, maybe we can work something out.

Pete
 
YES - we would do more if we could offer more !! I have ordered foam shapes from G- Goodin which is the only place in the states I have been able to find.

I would love custom made shapes like the University of Michigan logo, or MSU even the nascar numbers. I have quite a few requests for them.
 
Thanks!

You guys continue to remain awesome! What a response! I will keep you posted on the project as it (or if it) developes. Sounds like other folk might be doing it already.
Priceless! Priceless! Website you have here!
I'm helping a friend out with info. gathering and you just made my job a two minuite one! The Brat knows my schedule...no time and always on the go.
Pete in VA- Great website...everyone should give it a look to see the RIGHT way it's done! I've seen some chachkie looking ones in my day from folks that should stick to sprays. You guys seem to have it down to a science Pete..they look great!
Peppi
 
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