Please - as I found very good advice on the vegetative arr etc - could you give me some samples/photos/tips/advice to make a shoulder corsage in the technique of a wired waterfall....many thanks!
Shoulder Corsage in the Shape of Wired Waterfall
- Thread starter Bluebellinata
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First of all - A waterfall style design is in and of itself a very voluminous design.....And to do a shoulder corsage with all the components wired to a waterfall style and shape. That is going to make the corsage too heavy to be worn comfortable. With any corsage - the emphasis must be on weight and balance - both visual weight and visual balance as well as physical weight and physical balance.
One of the best resources for different style of corsages is a book authored by Debra De La Flor AIFD entitled "Florsages"
If you want to maintain the feel of a waterfall style in a corsage.......use as little wire as possible.....glue the materials using Oasis tube glue and choose very lightweight materials then topdress with tiny blades of beargrass, snippets of plumosa, etc....again, glued in. Remember to keep the corsage as light as possible.
If you have any doubts of how heavy a corsage may be......slip on a silk, rayon, or very thin nylon shirt/top and pin the corsage where you want it to go......if it does not pull the lightweight fabric and be all floppy....then you have a good weight for the corsage to be easy to wear.
One of the best resources for different style of corsages is a book authored by Debra De La Flor AIFD entitled "Florsages"
If you want to maintain the feel of a waterfall style in a corsage.......use as little wire as possible.....glue the materials using Oasis tube glue and choose very lightweight materials then topdress with tiny blades of beargrass, snippets of plumosa, etc....again, glued in. Remember to keep the corsage as light as possible.
If you have any doubts of how heavy a corsage may be......slip on a silk, rayon, or very thin nylon shirt/top and pin the corsage where you want it to go......if it does not pull the lightweight fabric and be all floppy....then you have a good weight for the corsage to be easy to wear.
I once attended a corsage class many years ago that I was really impressed with but my present employer's wife was set against using any of the techniques. It was comprised of using glue on anything that was attached which allowed a great deal of creativity.
Bear's grass was previously mentioned and that's what they used, the grass went over the shoulder and attached to it were rolled petals, leaves or smaller blooms such as orchids, etc. Made for a very lite corsage and a unique look as well. That was all attached to a focal base that was pinned to the top of the shoulder or further to the front with all cascading to the back. They sometimes even made another smaller piece on the end so the bear grass looped from larger piece to the smaller piece attached either at the back or further up the shoulder.
Bear's grass was previously mentioned and that's what they used, the grass went over the shoulder and attached to it were rolled petals, leaves or smaller blooms such as orchids, etc. Made for a very lite corsage and a unique look as well. That was all attached to a focal base that was pinned to the top of the shoulder or further to the front with all cascading to the back. They sometimes even made another smaller piece on the end so the bear grass looped from larger piece to the smaller piece attached either at the back or further up the shoulder.
I have taught quite a few corsage classes to someof the florists associations and in most all cases, I advocate the use of glue over wire.
Now....If I am doing a corsage as part of a design competition.....then I will use wire and tape techniques as it presents the neatest and most finished look. I can also use the wire in some creative applications as well.
Now....If I am doing a corsage as part of a design competition.....then I will use wire and tape techniques as it presents the neatest and most finished look. I can also use the wire in some creative applications as well.
Excellent reply ~ thanks
...will take your advice to heart and adapt accordingly
...will take your advice to heart and adapt accordingly
...will take your advice to heart and adapt accordingly
John Henry came out with a book about a year or so ago as well.....just on Prom/Party/other styles of corsages and body flowers.
That would be a great resource as well.
Now, to see body flowers and corsages taken to the ultimate limits of what can be done......attend an AIFD National symposium and in particular attend the final night President's ball. One of the most inspiring designs that I saw worn was a creation of decorative wire and flowers made to adorn a pair of crutches. I myself, do a variation of the woven bird embellished with all manner of decorative wire and beading and wear that.
I might find the book by John Henry....
......but as I am here in the UK just doing my NVQ3 as a rather mature student ( I am a late comer to floristry), I doubt I will have the opportunity to witness the president's ball of the AIFD - would be a great event - I bet!
I lived in San Jose, Ca. from 1984 - 1990 and for 8 months in Florida in 1980 but have never been back since. So I am trying to see what you are doing on the other side of the Atlantic...and -as I am German - I do watch the continental style a lot...and then of course UK styles - as I have lived in the UK now for 10 years.....
You must have a very profound knowledge of floristry design ...please keep me updated with whatever you think I should know!
Thanks!:dearbob:
......but as I am here in the UK just doing my NVQ3 as a rather mature student ( I am a late comer to floristry), I doubt I will have the opportunity to witness the president's ball of the AIFD - would be a great event - I bet!
I lived in San Jose, Ca. from 1984 - 1990 and for 8 months in Florida in 1980 but have never been back since. So I am trying to see what you are doing on the other side of the Atlantic...and -as I am German - I do watch the continental style a lot...and then of course UK styles - as I have lived in the UK now for 10 years.....
You must have a very profound knowledge of floristry design ...please keep me updated with whatever you think I should know!
Thanks!:dearbob:
John Henry ~ gallery
Just checked on the web for the book ~ found the following gallery:
http://www.bloomery.com/promgallery.htm
Fantastic! Thanks!:dearbob:
Just checked on the web for the book ~ found the following gallery:
http://www.bloomery.com/promgallery.htm
Fantastic! Thanks!:dearbob:
Not just the corsages......
.....but the actual website ( from the IT perspective) in itself is done so well!:~}
.....but the actual website ( from the IT perspective) in itself is done so well!:~}
Florsages
Just tried to pull up Florsages (book) on amazon - not available at the moment...unfortunately no great gallery on the web as for John Henry!:dearbob:
Just tried to pull up Florsages (book) on amazon - not available at the moment...unfortunately no great gallery on the web as for John Henry!:dearbob:
Go to the Florists Review website.....they have an extensive library of books. I am almost for sure that Debra's book can be found there. If it can't be found there then contact Debra directly through her contact information on the aifd website and I am sure she can send you one directly.
Shoulder Corsage....Advent Wreath
Hello King, thanks for all your good advice...please see what came from it ....I posted the image of my first waterfall shoulder corsage ( Vanda Orchids in silk plus..) on the gallery...2/3 wired and the "add-on" glued! I must admit I had some help from my tutor! Really enjoyed making it...all in silks...can't imagine it in fresh flowers.
Thanks again......I am putting a query out on ADVENT WREATHS in the US...here in the UK it is not a tradition but in Germany...how about the US? I did not notice much of it while living in California 1984- 1990.
Any good images/and or comment... I know you know a lot - will be welcomed.
:dearbob:
Hello King, thanks for all your good advice...please see what came from it ....I posted the image of my first waterfall shoulder corsage ( Vanda Orchids in silk plus..) on the gallery...2/3 wired and the "add-on" glued! I must admit I had some help from my tutor! Really enjoyed making it...all in silks...can't imagine it in fresh flowers.
Thanks again......I am putting a query out on ADVENT WREATHS in the US...here in the UK it is not a tradition but in Germany...how about the US? I did not notice much of it while living in California 1984- 1990.
Any good images/and or comment... I know you know a lot - will be welcomed.
:dearbob:
I looked at the design already - judging by the picture - very well done, good balance,
Advent wreaths - depends a lot on the liturgical aspect.
Most advent wreaths are lain flat with 4 candles - 3 purple and 1 pink - sometimes there is a center white candle. An advent wreath is composed of foliages - no flowers are used.
I am not sure which denomination uses this version of the advent wreath, but I have also done them using all blue candles
I have not done more than maybe five or six in my floral history - At least in my area, they have almost fallen into total dis-use. THe last one I did was about two years ago for one of our local catholic churches
Advent wreaths - depends a lot on the liturgical aspect.
Most advent wreaths are lain flat with 4 candles - 3 purple and 1 pink - sometimes there is a center white candle. An advent wreath is composed of foliages - no flowers are used.
I am not sure which denomination uses this version of the advent wreath, but I have also done them using all blue candles
I have not done more than maybe five or six in my floral history - At least in my area, they have almost fallen into total dis-use. THe last one I did was about two years ago for one of our local catholic churches
Very different...
Thanks.....interesting what you say about the AW ...I myself never paid any attention to the ones in churches although I did notice them being there when I went but for instance the details on candle colour...3 purple one pink...never heard/seen....
I know most Advent wreaths with red candles and red/gold ribbon....
In Germany it is very much tradition to have an AW in your home as a table display or even hanging from the ceiling...size approx 40cm in diameter.
They come in all sorts of colours and foliages ...with candles in gold, silver, green, pink etc....and decorations of mostly spruce with cinnamon sticks, orange slices, rosehips, gold sprayed cones, all kinds of beautiful ribbons....
endless variations!
Very often it is a tradition to MAKE the wreath together with your family and children (small children) - from scratch..sort of Kindergarten age you learn how to bind a wreath with wires etc.
And then the important bit is the actual observation of Advent...even non religious people sit down on each Advent Sunday, light the candle(s), play advent (Xmas) music, drink mulled wine and eat ginger bread and Xmas cookies...
And advent wreaths are sold by almost everybody...florists, supermarkets, DIY stores..fresh and artificial....so much about that....
:dearbob:
Thanks.....interesting what you say about the AW ...I myself never paid any attention to the ones in churches although I did notice them being there when I went but for instance the details on candle colour...3 purple one pink...never heard/seen....
I know most Advent wreaths with red candles and red/gold ribbon....
In Germany it is very much tradition to have an AW in your home as a table display or even hanging from the ceiling...size approx 40cm in diameter.
They come in all sorts of colours and foliages ...with candles in gold, silver, green, pink etc....and decorations of mostly spruce with cinnamon sticks, orange slices, rosehips, gold sprayed cones, all kinds of beautiful ribbons....
endless variations!
Very often it is a tradition to MAKE the wreath together with your family and children (small children) - from scratch..sort of Kindergarten age you learn how to bind a wreath with wires etc.
And then the important bit is the actual observation of Advent...even non religious people sit down on each Advent Sunday, light the candle(s), play advent (Xmas) music, drink mulled wine and eat ginger bread and Xmas cookies...
And advent wreaths are sold by almost everybody...florists, supermarkets, DIY stores..fresh and artificial....so much about that....
:dearbob:
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