Oasis rings

[ivygreen]

Not a total design question, but I was ondering what anyone thinks of the oasis rings. I used the ones with the center opening of 8 1/2" today for 22 centerpieces. What are your thoughts on them? I am still kicking it around and haven't decided, but feeling less than impressed. Opinions anyone?

 

[Rhonda]

When my youngest daughter got married, we used 6" amber glass containers with soy votives inside (also had metallic angel hair inside with the votives) the design rings. Gave a very nice glow to the reception area. I have pics on my laptop I think, if I can find them will try to attach. But...they gave the look of a large candleholder in the center of the wreath. You also could fill the center with something similar to the angel hair and then shelter the center with bear or lily grass if you don't want the center filled.

 

[Tracy D'Amico]

We have a wedding coming up in August, with them around the bride's apothecary jars that will be filled with candy. I haven't worked with them on a large event yet ... what was your experience that was less than thrilling? My only "concern" was making sure as we're designing to not poke thru the small oasis, and drain everything well before delivery ...

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

well, it depends on what you're using them for.

For the right job, they are great.
A bit too pricey for me just to use them for simple centerpieces

 

[CHR]

I agree with Shannon, for the right job, they're perfect.

We tend not to use them on centerpieces for a couple reasons:
1) price
2) insertions required to cover them inside & out
3) foam separation from the plastic base (meaning we have to tape the darn things together to keep them from splitting apart)
4) ability to keep them and the flowers well hydrated after they're made

When customers have their own hurricanes (or other elements they want surrounded with flowers), we generally use a low dish (lomey or similar) and then pan glue 4 - 1/8 block pieces of Oasis near the perimeter of the container. Greening is done with galax, ivy, ruscus, etc to make a wreath form, and then the flowers are strategically added. Less foam to cover and water can be added to the dish so they can be made up days in advance.

The center element can be set in place on location. This works really well for venues where hurricanes are included as part of the table decor.

HTH

 

[RWK]

Depends on which Oasis Ring you are using. If it is the DESIGN RING that has the solid base.....then those work great as you have a solid container to hold plenty of water. If you are talking about the Oasis RING HOLDER....like a small wreath ring....then those things fall apart like mad, I have to tape and glue the oasis to the ring.

 

[ivygreen]

My thoughts on the oasis ring are:

a) They are pricey, but for this event there was not a good plan B.
b) Easy to use and a good size, but it takes a lot of stems. I knew this going in.
c) Water retention was not a problem, today, but I see where it could be.
d) Narrow, so you have to watch the stem length.
e) I don't like the texture of the oasis. It's more fragile and maybe crumbly? I don't think it's as secure.
f) In delivering them and setting them up, you do not want to touch them to the table, or come in contact with the lines, messy. I am thinking that they could be mishandled depending on who sets up your weddings. This issue also came in my mind about their delicate tendency, and I don't think they will allow much rough handling.

Wanting to cut down on greening and seeing the oasis, I used plumosa and hot pink bullion(the real thin, almost wispy wire). Not an over abundance of either as I wanted to keep the insertions easy. I felt this lent my oasis some support, and helped keep the flowers in place a bit. That was not my original intent, but after the fact I liked this method well enough to use it again and the wire is decorative if you see it. I also used # 9 florasatin (yes the plastic-y waterproof stuff) and lined the inside of my ring using some straight pins to secure it. Worked like a charm, looked pretty through the hurricane too. I would do that again too, it gave a finished look, and kept in some moisture, and I didn't have to worry about smeared glass or shedding greens, this hurricane was a close fit.

Overall the product does its job, but a new improved version could be invented. I think the concept that CHR mentions is the ticket, and I have done a variation of that for other similar jobs. This one just fit the rings better, with time constraints and help. My nagging small dilike is for the texture and grip of the ring. For the cost,
I am mildly disappointed. JMO.

 

[Tracy D'Amico]

My nagging small dilike is for the texture and grip of the ring. For the cost,
I am mildly disappointed. JMO.

Thanks for the notes - I have not used them yet, and typically do the same as Cathy mentioned with a lomey .... it just would have been so nice to not have to finnagle that, and work with something meant for the job. Ah well - more $$ for flowers then!

 

[paulieflowers]

$$$

I like them for delicate work. I find ivy pinned in with greening pins on an angle works excellent for coverage. Design wise it's all about angling the stems properly.

An 8" bubble bowl nestled on top of the 8.5" ring looks kind of cool.

I really like the design ring with plastic insert. You can invert a R-5 Mache put it inside, cover with sheet moss & make a super cool pedestal. Then fill the ring foam in with complementing flowers. Huge WOW factor. Wish I took pictures.

 

[ivygreen]

Thanks for the notes - I have not used them yet, and typically do the same as Cathy mentioned with a lomey .... it just would have been so nice to not have to finnagle that, and work with something meant for the job. Ah well - more $$ for flowers then!

I did a large party with very little help. Using the oasis ring saved me the extra time I needed, which makes up for cost. I did'nt have time for the finnagling on 22 centerpieces. Because I was doing the arranging myself, I knew I could control stem length well and I don't have a heavy hand when designing. So think about using them, just keep that in mind. All the best to you!