I realize that this forum is primarily for fresh flower info--I also love fresh flowers, but as a retiree, I am limited to the silk kind. I need help, though with hiding your mechanics and using floral foam. Just can't get the hang of it. HELP, PLEASE!!!!
Silk Floral arrangerbeginner!!!!
Hello Butterfan,
Welcome! Although we do use fresh cut flowers for flower arrangements mostly, I should imagine covering the mechanics using silk flowers and foliage would be the same.
I would recommend you use large leaves and foliage that is quite bushy.You always need more foliage than you think!
I hope this is of some help.
I missed this. When you can't cover the entire foam with foliage, you can use sheet moss to cover the foam. Either using a hairpin or you can hot glue it on.
karmaplace, that's exactly how we did it at the flower shop, just cover foam with sheet moss or Spanish moss, and we used greening pins, but hair pins would work just the same. Is the pic of an arrangement you made? It's really lovely!
Buffertan, do you have an idea what you'd like your finished arrangement to look like, or know where it will set? That would be a good starting point, and then the container. Different containers offer different challenges as far as how to hide the mechanics and secure the foam. Are you using a glue gun and florist's dry foam?
Gemini, yep, that's what they taught me at the flowershop too. And thanks, I made it for my sister. Are/Were you a designer? Would love to see your work.
Oh, you're a designer too? Excellent work, thanks for the bigger pic :) Yes, I worked as a designer for 20 years, but have managed to get away from the florist industry for the last couple of years (yayyyy!...my holidays are mine now, LOL). I don't have any pics now, but should have some soon of a friends wedding I did recently. If the flower shots turn out good I'll post some.
Gemini, I wouldn't call myself a designer. I was an apprentice for about a year and a half. Then went back to school to pursue another career. I do it for fun now. . .and actually have a friend of friend's wedding in december to play with. I know what you mean about the holidays. Valentines has got to be the worst.
Please post your pics even if the shots aren't great! I love wedding flowers. What color theme did you use? I would love some advice with the one I'm doing. She's into burgundy. . .which I don't mind if I can incoporate fall colors, but she wants pink flowers for the bridesmaids! (The dresses are burgundy and she wants the flowers to stand out.)
This message was edited Nov 20, 2007 7:26 AM
Well, you are certainly much better at it than many who call themselves designers, LOL. You have a natural eye for it. Valentines was awful! Thank goodness thats over!
The wedding I did in November was in copper, bronze, and champagne tones, and was perfect for the season. I usually advise brides to choose colors in keeping with the season. Burgundy is good for December, but I see what you mean about the pink- seems too springy to me. Do you think the bride would be open to using burgundy and white/cream flowers, with silvery or variegated foliages to contrast against the dresses? Or burgundy tinged foliages with softer colored blooms. If she still prefers pink, perhaps a dusty rose shade would be more suitable for winter. Another angle would be to use jewel tones, working with burgundy, red, berry shades and possibly some plums, purples, through cobalt blue, using a few brighter colors to stand out against the dresses. Sounds like fun, do be sure to take pics!
Neal
Thank you all for your helpful information; please forgive me for not responding until now--am dealing with many medical issues.
Blessings for the New Year
Jane
Jane, I hope you are recovering well. Any questions you have, please don't hesitate to ask.
Lana
Hi Jane,
Sorry to hear you haven't been well. Wishing you a healthy and Happy new year.
Terri
All of you are wonderful. Thank you for your encouragement. I am a cancer survivor--a type of cancer not detected by self examination--here we go--get ready--Multifocal Ductal Carcinoma In Situ. Luckily, Stage I--partial mastectomy with 8 weeks of radiation and now cancer medicine--lots of side effects, though.
So, as you can see, I need an outlet that will engulf my mind.
Isn't it wonderful that each of us is unique--I suppose that is why there are the millions of ideas for flower arranging.
Jane
So sorry to hear that Jane, but at least it was caught at an early stage. I hope floral arranging will provide you with the outlet that you need to get past your difficulties. I'm here if you ever need anything. . .happy arranging Jane.
Hi Jane,
Hope you are recovering well and feeling better? keep warm.
Jane,
I certainly hope this post finds you doing better and am looking forward to seeing your works of flower art when you can share them with us.
Candee