Mechanics for designs

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inferno63

inferno63

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Jul 16, 2007
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I am always looking for easier ways to design with good mechanics. I have found tricks along the way and would love to hear others tricks. For example, when I have to place a heavy object in a casket spray, I use the wire steel saddles like the ones for cemetery monument sprays over the foam. The wire grid allows inserts all around the object and supports a lot of weight too.

For example, I am interested in how others attach flower sprays to gazebos, trees, doors, etc. Any tricks I haven't heard?
 
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The most secure method I have found for securing sprays to items like posts, poles, trees, etc. are the cable/zip ties. Found in most any lengths from a local hardware store.
 
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I'm looking for a tip on a centerpiece, I have a bride who wants a high centerpiece in round tight ball shape. the vase is a tall square glass vase about 24" high I don't want to use aclear plate because she is looking for a round look, what would work that won't leak and wont show a stem? any suggestions.:ghug:
 
ronni said:
I'm looking for a tip on a centerpiece, I have a bride who wants a high centerpiece in round tight ball shape. the vase is a tall square glass vase about 24" high I don't want to use aclear plate because she is looking for a round look, what would work that won't leak and wont show a stem? any suggestions.:ghug:
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The best idea that comes to mind is to find a square plastic shallow clear liner that fits the rim of the vase.....then place a decorated large oasis sphere on top. The liner would prevent water from dripping into the vase.

Although.....You could get a neat effect if you used crumpled clear cellophane and rose petals in the vase, then fill the vase with water and place the orb on top. Let the water in the vase help to keep the sphere soaked.
 
Great idea for a thread! I'm always looking for mechanics.

My contribution: In my floristry college course we had one course on the history of floral design. I remembered the bit about chicken wire and got some into the shop. Only the oldest designer had ever used it "back in the day", and the general consensus was that it might be handy for set pieces, but little else. Since having it we've used it for all kinds of things: to support stems in an opaque vase or container, to wrap around casket saddles for heavy flowers, covered with sheet moss to create freeform bulb planters, etc. Very versatile and cheap!

I a fan of cable ties, too. When making garlands and swags, they're indispensible, and fast.
 
Curly willow or colored wire make good decorative grids for clear vases.

I worked for a florist years ago who used chicken wire; it's not used much by many people anymore. May have to pick up a roll!

I like gluing oasis into containers rather than using tape.

Does anyone have a good way to QUICKLY cover foam? I've seen sheet moss used, but I don't like the smell of wet moss. Any other ideas?
 
Robin - one quick way I learned back in floral school was to take springeri, insert the end of the stem into the foam so it had a water source, and then wrap the springeri around your piece of foam, securing it where necessary with little hairpins made of wire. Not necessary great for the final finishing look, but it makes a great base, and requires much less of your featured green or flower to cover the foam area.
 
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I LOVE using an Xacto knife for cutting slits and fun shapes into foliage. For example: I can cut shapes or patterns in ruscus leaves for an extra fun look when creating bouts. Tougher, thicker foliage works best and it's really fun to experiment. Sometimes I take the part that I cut out and then glue it back on the leaf but at an angle for an artsy look. It adds more dimension and looks really cool.
 
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RJ - You beat me to it.....I was about to suggest the same thing.
 
Press-N-Seal saran wrap over vases filled with waterbeads for transport. You have to design on-site, but it keeps those d--m balls from bouncing everywhere!

I'm going to try it on submerged orchids this weekend. Hopefully, I can pre-fill the vases, cover for transport & unwrap at the reception. Beats hunting down a water source to fill vases.
 
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Another trick I use......especially for basket designs......after I line the basket, put in the foam.....because grid tape does not always adhere well to a basket.....I now take the 18 inch hyacinth stakes by cowee and I push them through the top edge of the basket completely through the oasis and out the other side. I then do the same cross-ways. Clip off the excess.

Holds the foam secure.
 
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rsef said:
Press-N-Seal saran wrap over vases filled with waterbeads for transport. You have to design on-site, but it keeps those d--m balls from bouncing everywhere!

I'm going to try it on submerged orchids this weekend. Hopefully, I can pre-fill the vases, cover for transport & unwrap at the reception. Beats hunting down a water source to fill vases.
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I LOVE this idea!! Please let us know if it works on your orchid vases!!
 
For wedding bouquets made in a straight handle. Cover the handle with several pieces of foam sheets (like the ones used for packaging) secure with davee tape. Take your davee tape and go up and down the handle backwards, so the sticky part is facing out. You can now put on stems for a faux hand tied or wrap with ribbon.

The foam sheets help give the handle a little bulk so they are not so thin also makes wrapping with ribbon and attaching stems much easier.
 
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Carrieann said:
For wedding bouquets made in a straight handle. Cover the handle with several pieces of foam sheets (like the ones used for packaging) secure with davee tape. Take your davee tape and go up and down the handle backwards, so the sticky part is facing out. You can now put on stems for a faux hand tied or wrap with ribbon.

The foam sheets help give the handle a little bulk so they are not so thin also makes wrapping with ribbon and attaching stems much easier.
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I've also used that puffy double sided tape or cling works too.
 
Here's another old-timers trick.......Back when bouquet holders had the flat handles......We used to wrap tissue paper (bathroom tissue, not wax tissue ) around the handle to bulk it up....then wrapped it with 1/2 inch davee tape sticky side out.....then wrap the sticky handle with ribbon.
 
SpringCity said:
Does anyone have a good way to QUICKLY cover foam? I've seen sheet moss used, but I don't like the smell of wet moss. Any other ideas?
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I use ti leaves. Stick the stem end in the foam and pin the other end down with a hairpin made of green chenille. You can pin it down really close to the foam or let it bend and curve for more interest. I hate the moss smell too plus it wicks the water out!
 
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Sprout said:
I use ti leaves. Stick the stem end in the foam and pin the other end down with a hairpin made of green chenille. You can pin it down really close to the foam or let it bend and curve for more interest. I hate the moss smell too plus it wicks the water out!
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Ok, dumb question, but do you have to then make slices in the leaf to get your flower insertions?

I'm not loving the springeri idea just because it's such a shedding green. I heard someone say smilax too... may have to try that.
 
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