Oasis sculpting sheet

[KABERS]

I had amazing funeral orders for this weekend. Several requests for "Cubs" themed pieces. I made this piece yesterday and left it out of the cooler. Standing up because the water kept pooling under it and I didn't want it to drain in the funeral home. This morning the delphinium, gerbs, and Iris were all drooping. I replaced what was needed and sprayed heavily with crowning glory.

Any suggestions on sealing the bottom of oasis sheet or what I should have done differently?

 

[conchandler]

Yes, the sculpting sheets when stood or hung on end will drip all the water from it. You need to hot glue the edge of the foam (especially the bottom) so that water will stay in. I think these sheets are more suited to flat pieces, placed on tables or floating on pools. Under the circumstances you mention, you would have done best to leave it flat overnight on the table, so the water could have been used by the flowers instead of draining out the bottom. Another tip, if you use the whole sheet is to score grooves in the wet foam (to the point of the glue/styrofoam) to inhibit the draining. You know, like the set foam pieces (crosses, wreaths, hearts) from Oasis.
It's a lovely tribute. Mums seem to hold up best in these types of tributes.

 

[Sarah Jane]

It's so pretty!

 

[concord]

If you stored in the cooler but still standing up it may have drained enough not to drip at the FH but still kept the flowers fresh.
The one time I used a sheet I propped it up in a long planter box and added flowers around that, too. All the dripping went into the planter.

 

[RWK]

There is another way to minimize drainage.......float soak the sculptsheet......and any other oasis form for that matter......till it is saturated ONLY to the halfway point. For example......take an oasis mache heart......only soak it till the water in your sink or tub just BARELY......and I mean BARELY.....touches the mache portion if you soak it face down. Take it out.....and let it sit face up for 30 to 45 minutes.

Instead of excess water draining......the excess water soaks the remainder of the oasis. DO the sculptsheet the same way......just let it floatsoak til the water has been absorbed HALFWAY ...... NO MORE !!!! Take it out and let it sit face up.....the excess water drains into the remaining oasis.

 

[Carrieann]

Yes, the sculpting sheets when stood or hung on end will drip all the water from it. You need to hot glue the edge of the foam (especially the bottom) so that water will stay in.

Be sure to do this before you soak the form. I agree that adding draining grooves is a good idea to the bottom, I think other wise the excesses water may just spill over the lip of the whole bottom.

Nice piece by the way.

 

[OB1]

I agree that the side and bottom edges should have been sealed with hot melt glue to stop all the water dripping out. After all, this is not the ultimate intedned use of the sculping sheets. The addition aof a drip tray is also a great idea.
Also, I think it is worth remembering to use thirsty flowers, ie, gerbera, hydrangea, roses etc, in the bottom 1/4 of the sheet, and use flowers that do not mind being on the dry side ie, orchids, callas, birds, antherium, mums, in the top 3/4 of the sheet. That way, as the water drips down through the sheet, the thirstier flowers have access to more water. As for iris, I just prefer not to use them because I cannot trust them at all, but if I must use them due to customer preference, then in a vase of fresh clean water only.
JP

 

[concord]

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/photo.php?fbid=80546120867&set=a.80545440867.89279.544485867

This is how I kept it from dripping when making an A from a sculpting sheet