Sympathy Tribute Challenge (for me)

[conchandler]

OK, the son of director of the funeral home passed away yesterday morning. He was only 43. The FD came to the shop this afternoon with two large taxidermy pieces on stands that he wants me to work with for flanking the casket. One is a large buck head, the other a large walleye fish. He knows I like a challenge. Oh boy!
They want them to look as though each is in its elements, so the deer needs to look like he's in the woods, and the fish in the lake. On an earlier funeral pics thread, I saw an aquarium like arrangement with lycopodium, myrtle, podocarpus, (I think) and other greenery, which I think will be cool. The deer, I'm stressing on, because they want it to be high, and the deer head on stand is already at 5 feet. Mechanics are the problem. Do you think raquettes will hold tree branches that tall? Any ideas you can throw at me would be greatly appreciated, as they setting needs to start at the floor.
I'm going to sleep on this and sometimes things fall into place for me that way. Sure hope so. I feel honored that he came to me, as we don't have the regular contract for family pieces, so this is a big deal for us. Thanks for any help or ideas.

 

[lori042499]

Not sure what kind of stand the deer head is on, but I am thinking that raquettes might not do it(I am thinking how would you anchor them)...what about the oasis sheets(still an anchoring issue) or setting the tree branches in plaster of paris in a mache container or low basket/tray, then putting foam ontop of that for the fresh product...This sounds like a fun one, good luck and please please post some pictures...I am sure you will do just great with what ever you come up with.

 

[rewolf]

Like Lori, I don't think raquettes will hold 5' branches. I'd secure branches in low bucket or vessel with either plaster or foam and then cover the vessel with sheet moss.

 

[conchandler]

Not sure what kind of stand the deer head is on, but I am thinking that raquettes might not do it(I am thinking how would you anchor them)...what about the oasis sheets(still an anchoring issue) or setting the tree branches in plaster of paris in a mache container or low basket/tray, then putting foam ontop of that for the fresh product...This sounds like a fun one, good luck and please please post some pictures...I am sure you will do just great with what ever you come up with.

The deer head is on an oak tapered 4-sided piece of furniture that's wider at the bottom 14" and tapers up to the top where it's 6" (like a square tapered vase turned upside down and made of oak). The fish is on a candlestick stand.
Thanks for the feedback, Lori. I guess I'll be shopping today for some plaster paris - something I haven't worked with since flower school 10 years ago. And I just got a case of sheet moss, cool.

 

[RWK]

Ok....From the stand you describe......this is the direction I would take. Go with various sized tree branches set in plaster. Make sure the container is as SMALL as possible without it being top heavy and toppling. Make sure your branches are BARE of foliage.....because once you set them in the plaster, any foliage is just going to wither.

Add small iglus and cages to the crooks in the branches and gave the trees foliage that way. Place the trees as close as you can to the stand. Slightly shorter in front, taller in back. Make sure there is enough foliage that the stand is fairlly well hidden.

Now, Here comes your difficult part - hiding the plaster containers. I would encircle the whole affair with the Oasis plastic backed wreath rings. then inset your flowers there.....I would also insert long flexible flowers...like a stem of oncidium, into the foliage clusters.

This design is not going to be an inexpensive design.

 

[conchandler]

Ok....From the stand you describe......this is the direction I would take. Go with various sized tree branches set in plaster. Make sure the container is as SMALL as possible without it being top heavy and toppling. Make sure your branches are BARE of foliage.....because once you set them in the plaster, any foliage is just going to wither.

Add small iglus and cages to the crooks in the branches and gave the trees foliage that way. Place the trees as close as you can to the stand. Slightly shorter in front, taller in back. Make sure there is enough foliage that the stand is fairlly well hidden.

Now, Here comes your difficult part - hiding the plaster containers. I would encircle the whole affair with the Oasis plastic backed wreath rings. then inset your flowers there.....I would also insert long flexible flowers...like a stem of oncidium, into the foliage clusters.

This design is not going to be an inexpensive design.

Thanks, Ricky, I really appreciate your feedback. I know this is going to be pricey and hope the FD is ready for it, as he gave me no budget. The wholesale foliages alone, with the other items I'm building for them, are running 200+.

 

[rewolf]

Ok....

Now, Here comes your difficult part - hiding the plaster containers. I would encircle the whole affair with the Oasis plastic backed wreath rings. then inset your flowers there.....I would also insert long flexible flowers...like a stem of oncidium, into the foliage clusters.

That's a great idea!

 

[Lizi]

Would love to see pictures when you are finished. I love to see nature used in design.

 

[conchandler]

OK, couldn't get photos before the pieces were taken to the funeral home as it would have required some set-up, and they were anxious to have them. I did manage to snag a cell phone pic yesterday at the church at the funeral, but keep getting an invalid image file message here when I try to upload - HELP. They are saved as jpeg, so I don't know what the problem is. Expecting to get good photos from the family, as they photographed and documented everything for the 6 y/o daughter of the deceased. Family gave us good feedback, and the wife said we "hit a homerun". Hope to get some pics up soon.