What's in yours?
The flower arranger's toolbox
Well, for one thing, I suppose you need a good reliable pair of scissors (or "shears" if you prefer). But do you need anything beyond the standard household scissors and, if so, why?
Edited for clarity: I'm sure you need more than a pair of scissors. What I'm wondering about is what kind of scissors are best or necessary and why?
This message was edited Jul 25, 2007 6:45 AM
1. florist knife
2. hand pruner
3. wire cutter
4. wires
5. glue gun
6. florist tape
7. u shaped florist picks
8. sheet moss
BDale, I use a pair of sharp pruners when gathering my flowers. But when I'm actually arranging, I switch to a knife. I've been told that shears/pruners cut stems in two directions causing more damage to the flowers, thus, decreasing the life of the arrangement. Don't know the validity of that, just makes sense I guess. I don't know brands or anything...I just think as long as they're sharp, they're good to go.
Hi karma,
Your comment about scissors/shears makes sense. Might be something I need to consider. I don't know that I'm too handy with a knife when it comes to cut flowers, but perhaps that is a good skill to learn.
Okay, what is a "u shaped floral pick" and how/where do you use it? (Maybe gently strumming a guitar while considering how to place the flowers...?) :)
BDale
Haha bdale, I use it to secure moss to oasis foam. Also, remember the asian arrangement with the canna leaves? I used it to secure the leaf tip to the foam after I folded it under. Does that make sense?
Hi Karma,
I'm not sure I know what this tool/device looks like ("u shaped" I guess, duh, but beyond that...).
I tried to "Google" to see a photo, but when I put in "floral u pick" I got about a hundred websites of places which have "U Pick strawberries, U Pick blueberries, etc." LOL.
BDale
Sorry bdale, I sort of made up that name. I don't even know what it is called. You can actually just make them from wires or even paper clips. I bought it for convenience. Here's a pic, but the quality isn't so great. Cheap camera.
We call them 'hairpin' hooks or 'german pins'
I use a stub wire and bend it into a hook shape !
and when you want to attatch a hook to plant material that's called a double leg mount.
From the Flower Arranging event at the 2008 Olympics...
"...and here comes Terriculture in for a..it appears to be...YES, a double leg mount...the crowd goes WILD!!!"
BDale, not being funny but, did you take your medication today? LoL!!
It is the caffeine from the coffee. Finally getting to me after all these years.
BDale
Better switch to decafe , mate! (only joking) !
This message was edited Jul 29, 2007 5:47 PM
BDale, this is my bodyguard, so watch out. LoL!!
This message was edited Jul 29, 2007 5:45 PM
This message was edited Aug 1, 2007 4:17 PM
My floristry toolbox, sorry it has taken me so long to get round to showing you!
It was a good excuse to have a tidy up!
contents list will follow but the main tools I use are,
floristry scissors
string
wire
pot tape
oasis fix
toolbox contents,
Accessories,
coloured decorative wire
pearl pins
beads
feathers
ribbons
raffia
glue gun
floral foam
pot tape
knife
plastic trays
posy pad
Have a question. Went to buy a glue gun today and found out there was a high temp gun and a low temp gun. Bought both. Which one used for what?
I don't know Karma, I bet crafty Traci will know!
lucky you got both to be on the safe side , haha!
Accessories, include fabric netting and ribbons
orange ideas...........
Gift bags, transparent coloured papers and sprayed plant material
Hand tie in gift bag
Sorry I just now saw this thread. Thanks for showing the essentials. Here comes the question of the hour. What is Oasis?
Oasis is a brand name for floral foam, usually the green stutt ,but you can get other colours!
They also supply lots of floristry products.
Here's a crazy one I did with pink floral foam.
This message was edited Oct 26, 2007 6:42 AM
This message was edited Oct 26, 2007 6:43 AM
container,frog oasis
adding flowers
layering like a yummy trifle.
almost edible!
Birds eye view, hope you like trifle!
Terri, check out the new shop and see what you think.
I think the new shop is great Traci, I will be getting all my flowery things from there!
Belle's so friendly and she really knows her stuff, someone said she used to do demos! (of the flower club type)
I got a new product! It looks like little beads at first.
Sprinkle some in a vase of water, leave to swell for 6hrs.
coloured balls appear!
When the balls are in water you cannot see the clear ones, like the vase on the right.
flowers can stand up in these balls.
The flowers just stay where you put them, I think it's great stuff!
