Mechanics for designs

[RWK]

If you remove the ti leaf's spine - then it really is easy to bend and no problem piercing the stems through it directly in the foam.

The key is to remove the spine of the leaf......the way to do this.....bend the tip of the leaf down until you find the point where the leaf starts to get a little stiff.....take your knife and make a little horizintal cut as close to the leaf as you can and then slowly pull the spine away from the leaf going down the stem.

Phil has it down to such a degree.....Sometimes in class....He'll see just how fast he can get the spine removed and how far he can make it fly in the air. Funny to see.


Also, you don't have to use springerii - any trailing, vining, flexible stem greenery will do.....from italian ruscus to aspidistra to ivy, to smilax......

 

[floraldesignson99th]

i've also used that puffy double sided tape or cling works too.

be sure to secure the stems upside with a very tight rubberband.......this secures the stems in case they shrink when drying out

 

[Palms]

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?

How about rolled aspistra leaves, either whole or strips rolled depending on the size of the arrangement. I also like sisal or skeleton leaves. Not sure what design you mean, maybe I am way off??

 

[rsef]

I LOVE this idea!! Please let us know if it works on your orchid vases!!

It worked wonderfully! The bride's aunt was in charge of flowers (i.e.-she paid) and she was just a leeeetle bit intoxicated at the ceremony. She took the vases to the reception with no problems. (Long story, and I made sure several someone elses knew what was supposed to happen with the flowers.) But the press-N-seal made it possible to have the centerpieces finished & she didn't have to do anything but transport.

 

[lisa greene]

Have you tried the Artesia clear bouquet holder from floracraft? They work great for this and come in different sizes.

 

[Chezbloom]

A little Freesia scented Febreeze sprayed over stinky wet moss takes the stinky away. Or at least masks it pretty nicely!

 

[SpringCity]

How about rolled aspistra leaves, either whole or strips rolled depending on the size of the arrangement. I also like sisal or skeleton leaves. Not sure what design you mean, maybe I am way off??

I like your idea for say, around the edge of a vase. I am thinking of a wedding I have in July w/30+ centerpieces that will be in a lomey dish, sitting on top of a pilsner vase. I just want to zip thru the greenery part if possible.

 

[Palms]

I always use ruscus for these types Robin, i find it a really good filler, have attached a pic if you want to have a look.

 

[RWK]

Gorgeous arrangement Palms

 

[vghstaffer]

Palms,
Where did you get those round mirrors , they are wonderful!

 

[Sprout]

I like your idea for say, around the edge of a vase. I am thinking of a wedding I have in July w/30+ centerpieces that will be in a lomey dish, sitting on top of a pilsner vase. I just want to zip thru the greenery part if possible.

I'm telling you, 4, maybe 5 ti leaves, and you'll be covered in no time!

Leave the ribs in for speed, let the leaves bend the way they want and it becomes part of the design, don't worry about the odd space that isn't covered - a piece of lemon or ruscus, or a flower will take care of it. Flowers with squishy stems like callas will need to have the leaf pierced w/ a knife, but the rest go right through. Have someone make the chenille hairpins in the 15 minutes before closing when no one wants to work and are watching the clock!

 

[Patty]

I learned a new trick

I learned a new calla lily trick from one of my suppliers . . .

When you cut the calla stem, make a very shallow crosshatch on the bottom with your knife. It will prevent the stems from doing that splaying open thing.

We tried it this weekend with 185 callas and it worked like a charm!

Did everybody but me already know this?

FTR, I'm probably the only designer in the world who doesn't like callas. I really don't like them. The style for this recept. was very contemporary and absolutely the bride's taste. Despite my calla phobia, it was stunning! The venue asked if they could put the pics on
their website.

 

[RWK]

Patty's post about callas and mini-callas reminded me of another trick. Take your calla and peel a narrow strip of skin from the stem of the calla going from the base to the bloom. This enables you to get some crazy bends in the stem....even tying the stem into a knot.

 

[floraldesignson99th]

This is such a great post...........let's keep it going......there's got to be a million more hints around ! I think aifd had a booklet titled 1001 hints back in the good old days...someone borrowed mine and i've never checked to see if it's still available ????

 

[SpringCity]

I love those booklets, I think there are 2. I've seen them at my wholesaler not that long ago. I had one but don't know where it is.

Hmmm.... more tips.

Well, something I learned recently for pomanders: You will probably need WAYYYY more flowers than you think.

Hand-tied arrangements can be faster than designing into a vase. I had 20 smaller vased centerpieces of daisies and roses to make last week and was getting disgusted with how long it was taking. I decided to make little hand-tieds, taking a cue from some of my British and Australian friends who pretty much said they never design into a vase. It was SO much faster and looked great!

 

[RWK]

You can still get them from J's site on uBloom.

 

[floraldesignson99th]

thanks............I just ordered them (again) they're $20 for a set of 2...unfortunately the shipping is UPS and expensive....I also ordered his new $5.00 book.....I t takes forever on his website to find the place to order books ???

 

[Tracy D'Amico]

Banker's Clasps

Cool - we always struggle with "pinning" flowers to table drapes for weddings - usually do them in small cages & loop wire thru the cage before making, to be able to pin the wire to the fabric.

Today, we used banker's clasps - money clip - & taped it into a cluster of tied flowers. They slipped right over the pleated edge of the cloth - easy peasy! And then draped tulle over them & hung her little sign too.

We've also used these for corsages - wrapping in fabric, then gluing to the fabric, for a lightweight easy corsage that needs no pins. Great for strapless dresses.

didn't think to take a pic before attaching, but the resulting pic is in the wedding photo thread.

 

[Tracy D'Amico]

banker's clasp pic & clip on corsage pic attached.

We were talking today about that table set up, and an upholstery hook would probably work very well also.

 

[CHERYL BAKIN]

Tracy:
thanks for the picture.

the drapery hook also works well for the pinnings on a table. We use these all the time. Get the longest ones available. We get them at Walmart/Kartmart or sometimes the Dollar store will have them on sale.

(please don't ask me to post a pic of one, because I am technology chanllenged, and I cannot get it figured out...sorry).

Cheryl