Posted on Jan 31, 2010 under wreaths | Comments are off
Maine is the largest producer of balsam fir Christmas wreaths in the United States. Millions of wreaths are shipped out every year. Maine’s forests cover over 85% of the state. A lot of this forest is available for harvesting of balsam fir tips which is a sustainable harvest. Only 12 to 20 inches of the ends of the branches are cut and they grow back year to year.
A wreath is made by attaching bunches of the balsam fir tips to a metal ring. The bunches of tips are wired to the ring. The common sizes for the wreath rings are 8,10, 12, 14 and 16 inch. The outside diameter of the wreath is determined by the size of the ring. For example, at Acadia Wreath Company, our 24” Christmas wreath is built on a 12 inch ring and our 30” Christmas wreath is built on a 16” ring. The amount of balsam tips needed for a wreath depends again on the size of the ring. We make very full, double-faced wreaths except for our vehicle wreath.
Our 24” wreath weighs about 6 lbs and our 30” wreath weighs about 8 lbs. A double-faced wreath has the balsam tips attached to both sides of the wreath ring making a much fuller wreath. We have a customer who has us decorate both sides of her wreath because she hangs it on a glass door where it can be seen from each side of the door. This wouldn’t work with a single-faced wreath with the balsam tips attached to only one side.
Naturally, the single-faced wreaths are cheaper to make in materials and labor. Most of the major big box retailers sell single-faced wreaths.
The wreath industry in Maine includes tippers, wreath makers, wholesalers and retailers. Tippers (people who gather the tips) sell to a local wreath business or wreath maker. There is a large cottage industry of wreath makers who make wreaths at home and sell them, undecorated for the most part, to local wholesalers or retailers or directly to consumers.
The balsam fir tips are not only used to make Christmas wreaths. Christmas centerpieces, kissing balls, swags and garland are also made. Garland is not a huge part of the industry because wreath makers can make a lot more money making wreaths and so garland is harder to find. Demand for balsam fir Christmas products is increasing every year. It is the most fragrant of all the firs with the smell most associated with Christmas. Also, it’s natural and sustainable and artificial, plastic wreaths are viewed as tacky and they sure don’t smell like Christmas.
Dried flowers, plants and herbs are another way to enjoy cut flowers. Whether those plants are from your garden, store bought or picked wild they are a longlasting keepsake of nature. Did you know that drying flowers is a craft you can do yourself?
Introduction to the Craft
Fortunately there are many flowers that dry well; so experiment with flowers that you like. Do not harvest growing plants until they are completely dry of any rain or dew. Pick them at the base of the stem for long lengths in arranging. Place cut flowers in a warm, dry area away from direct light. The simplist method of drying is air drying where the plants are hung from a wire to dry naturally.
Drying time varies considerably depending on air temperature and humidity. Once the drying is complete you should store them in a place that won’t require you to move them around frequently as they are delicate. Never store them in plastic containers or plastic bags as they will sweat and then rot. Keep them in a cardboard box with ventilation holes. If the flowers were preserved using silica gel, apply a thin layer of the gel to the bottom of the box.
Methods of Drying
For bulk drying large quantities air drying is the best method. Strip off unwanted leaves. Bunch the flowers together using an elastic band. Don’t bunch too many together or allow the flower heads to closely touch each other. Some very large heads are best dried individually.
If you tangle leaves and blooms together in the bunch they will stay in that position when dried. Hang them suspended from secure hooks in a place with air circulation. Drying time is anywhere from a few days to several weeks. You can tell they are ready when they feel quite crisp. Easy enough!
A very different process to get dried flowers involves using silica gel. It results in the flowers retaining spectacular color and appearing almost fresh. The silica gel (resembling rock salt) must be ground to fine granules. It can be reused countless times. This method works for flower heads. Once the flower head is totally dry you can begin. Egg cartons or small plastic flower pots are ideal as the holding area for the gel and flower head.
Tins can be used for a large quantity of flowers. The egg carton or pot must be filled 1/3 full of gel. Set in the flower head and start with the outer petals and work in. Gently spoon the gel between each petal. Do this until the head is fully covered.
Cover and check on them in 2 days. Remove flower heads when dry to avoid overdrying them. Large-headed flowers sometimes take 5 days. Be extremely gentle in removing the flower. Excess gel can be removed with a fine watercolor brush. To revive the flower’s color spray a bit of wax polish on it.
A suitable method for drying large flowers like sunflowers and peonies is to dry them flat. Lay them on a wire garden sieve and rest it on raised objects to create a space. Again, drying time can be 2 to 5 days. Another method for drying in emergencies uses an oven or microwave.
The trick is to set the temperature in a conventional oven at its very lowest setting. Drying will take 30 to 60 minutes. A microwave oven should be set very low. Check the plants very frequently. Try once each couple of minutes.
Glycerin is the perfect substance for preserving plants such as mimosa and gypsophila. Boil about 2 pints of water and add a large tablespoon of salt to dissolve in the water. After the water cools a little pour into a jar. Stand this jar in a bucket as support for the plant. Stand the stems in the hot water for 24 hours. Make a mixture of 1 part glycerin to 2 parts hot water.
Replace the old water with this new mixture and stand the plant in it up to 10 days. The leaves will look darker and feel slightly sticky when ready. During recent years dried floral arrangements have become popular and much loved. You can arrange your flowers in a container of your choosing. You could press flowers with a flower press instead of using previous drying methods explained in order to display your flowers flat.
Hey guys!! This is just a quick nail tutorial using dried flowers. Hope you likey!! Don’t forget to rate comment and subscribe ladies and gents! Check out this link for dried flowers and all kinds of cool nail stuff: www.premiernailsource.com xoxoxo—- jillene
Posted on Jan 30, 2010 under dried foliage | Comments are off
A deciduous tree is most commonly found in a forest. If a deciduous tree is located in an urban area then the tree is usually planted along a walkway or a sidewalk. A deciduous tree is commonly found in conjunction with other trees, plants and flowers in both urban and rural areas. The deciduous tree does not compete with surrounding foliage for water or attention. This is the perfect tree to have as part of outdoor landscaping. There are many plants and flowers that work will with and compliment a deciduous tree. A deciduous tree comes in many different shapes and general outlines. The shape of the deciduous tree will determine the height and branch width of the tree. It is important to know the shape of the deciduous tree before planting in order to ensure that the deciduous tree is planted in a proper location and that there is adequate clearance from other obstacles. One of the more popular shapes of the deciduous tree is columnar. A columnar deciduous tree is tall in structure and not very wide. A round deciduous tree is about as broad as the tree is tall. This type of tree is most commonly found in landscaping projects or back or front yards. A weeping deciduous tree, for example the weeping willow, is when the branches of the deciduous tree tend to bend downward in a weeping motion. Other common shapes of a deciduous tree include conical, broad, elliptical and upright. A conical deciduous tree is when the tree is more cone shaped. This means that the tree is broad at the base but becomes narrower at the top. A broad deciduous tree is a wide vase like shape. An elliptical deciduous tree is a popular type of tree because the tree is not very broad or wide. The last shape that a deciduous tree can take on is upright. This is when the deciduous tree has a narrow vase shape. Each of the shapes and types of deciduous trees that are mentioned above has different types of leaves or foliage. A deciduous tree that is located in a cold climate tends to shed its leaves during the winter months whereas a deciduous tree that is in a dry climate will shed its leaves during the driest months of the year. There are other factors that can cause a deciduous tree to shed its leaves. One of the factors is a lack of water or moisture. The foliage of a deciduous tree can vary in color from a dark green to a yellow fall color. The leaves of a deciduous tree can become scorched when placed in dry conditions or when there is a negative rooting situation. A negative rooting situation can be described as a situation that prevents the roots from becoming rooted deep into the soil. As the seasons change the leaves will turn to red and then eventually brown before they are shed. A deciduous tree is one of the most popular trees. It is because of the beauty of a deciduous tree as the tree blooms and then slowly changes color during the spring, summer and fall months. This is one of the most colorful and gorgeous times of the year.
Winter is upon us so Meg is going to show us how-to make two lovely winter wreaths for any upcoming holiday festivities. Plus, a round-up of her favorite wreaths on the web. Prairie Mod www.prairiemod.com Living with Lindsay www.livingwithlindsay.com Martha’s forest floor wreath www.marthastewart.com Threadbangers round-up last year by Lee Meredith www.threadbanger.com Marta Writes Round-Up martawrites.blogspot.com My Paper Crane radish mushrooms www.mypapercrane.com Our Website www.threadbanger.com Our Blog http Submit a Video to Us! www.threadbanger.com Our Twitter twitter.com Our Facebook www.facebook.com
Posted on Jan 30, 2010 under silk flowers | Comments are off
The bottom line is this: flowers command attention. They have the power to bring a room to life, and the easiest way to keep flowers in a room is to purchase a silk flower arrangement. In most situations, with a bit of judicious arranging, they are ready-to-go, straight from the box, and their visual impact on a room is powerful and immediate.
Silk flowers are very versatile for making beautiful flower arrangements. They come in different sizes and different flower types. Some common ones are, Tulips, Roses, Daisies, and Hydrangeas. You can pick and choose from all the many varieties and sizes to create many different looks. You can vary the look of the arrangement even more by using a variety of vases, such as synthetic ones or clear ones with fake water.
With silk flower arrangements, color is the key. The flowers will attract so much attention that finding an attractive color palette that complements your room’s decor is a necessity. For everyday arrangements, the most common hues are widely available–red, green, cream, and more. Or change the look by adding seasonal blooms, such as flowers in the warm colors of autumn, or try a holiday theme for festive flair. Clear or neutral colored vases allow the flowers themselves to take center stage.
Now that you have the perfect color, the next most important consideration is height. For instance, a short, compact arrangement seems to work best for a space such as the dinner table. This allows your guests to see each other when seated. A taller arrangement would work best with a larger, less intimate space, such as a foyer, or perhaps the mantle above a hearth.
Workplaces need the beauty and color of silk flowers, too, so don’t neglect your office, where you spend so much of your time. A bouquet of silk flowers that’s not too large, not too small, will be both attractive and appropriate for most offices.
The simple beauty of silk flower arrangements makes them an essential element of your decorating designs, but it’s their relatively cheap price that makes them indispensable. Silk bouquets cost roughly the same as comparable arrangements of fresh flowers, with the smaller arrangements priced from $20 to $50, and larger ones from $150 to $250. But unlike fresh blooms, the cost-effective silk variety will be beautiful for years, and need only an occasional gentle dusting to stay looking fresh. And creating a new look is amazingly simple; I can change the look of my table to reflect the changing seasons by simply removing one arrangement and replacing it with another, straight from its box to the dining room, in just minutes.
Posted on Jan 30, 2010 under wreaths | Comments are off
When we think of wreaths, most of us typically envision a traditional wreath made of greenery. This is usually accompanied by a bow of some sort and possibly pinecones. While these traditional Christmas wreath will always be steadfast favorites, there are many other ways to decorate and use wreaths. By taking a fresh approach to an old decoration, you can create something really unique and special that will be a centerpiece in your home for years to come. Here are a few things to consider when you rethink your idea of wreaths:
LocationThis will likely have the biggest impact on the structure and material of your wreath. Obviously if the location is outdoors, it must be made of weatherproof materials. Indoor wreaths are primarily impacted by their location in the home, as their construction and decorations will likely reflect their surroundings.
How Will It Be Displayed?Traditionally, wreaths have been hung above fireplaces and on front doors. However, the sky really is the limit on where your wreath might go. Here are a few different ideas to consider:
Window: Facing outside, inside or both by using a double-sided wreath hanger, such as ribbon, chain, or rope.On a mirror: The size of your mirror will dictate the size of your wreath.From a lighted wall sconce: Anywhere in the home, even the bathroom!Dining room chair: Small wreaths can really dress up the back of a dining chair when tied with bright ribbon.Easel: Prop a large, lighted wreath on an easel in one corner of a room. This works great when you have limited wall space, and can replace a tree in a small area.Table: Lay it on a table and put candles or a bowl of fruit in the center.Lighted hutch: A wreath propped up in a lighted hutch or curio cabinet is an unexpected surprise any time of year!Tree: Wreaths of different materials can be used to decorate a Christmas tree for an added touch of elegance or whimsy.Packages: Use a small wreath tied to a ribbon to dress up a special gift.
SizeThe location of your wreath will usually determine its size. Wreath sizes can vary greatly; however, most indoor wreaths range in size from 6 to 48 inches. An outdoor wreath used as a focal point on a home’s exterior might be as large as 72 inches in diameter.
MaterialThe material of your wreath will greatly impact its overall design and appearance. While the options are endless, below are some ideas to start with:Greenery: Fresh or artificialNatural materials such as pinecones, nuts, wheat, straw, grapevines, fresh or dried herbs, fresh or dried flowers, shells, leaves.Manmade materials such as Christmas balls, fabric, ribbon, paper or metal.
DecorationsFinally the fun stuff! Your imagination is the limit when it comes to a wreath’s decorations. When decorating your wreath, it’s important to consider the location (for example, an outdoor wreath should have weatherproof decorations), and who will be enjoying it. Below are some ideas to help get you started.
Living Room: Same color and possibly same decorations as your tree.Kitchen: Try decorating with cookie cutters, kitchen utensils, herbs, cinnamon sticks, etc.Children’s Room: Hand made ornaments, toys, candy canes, etc.Hobby related wreaths: Sports team colors or paraphernalia, sewing or needlecraft implements, antique cars or tractors, gardening tools, etc.
Whatever your choices, remember to have fun and use your imagination!
Your finished wreath will be one-of-a-kind, and you will want to protect it so that you can use it in the future. Be sure to consider this when you are storing it away by using products that are durable and convenient. There are many wreath storage bags and boxes on the market today that will keep your wreaths protected while in storage. By choosing an appropriate storage container, you’ll ensure that your wreath can be enjoyed for years to come.
Posted on Jan 30, 2010 under silk flowers | Comments are off
Flowers and plants are wonderful ways to add ambience throughout your home or office. Live flowers and plants can be a burden for a busy homeowner or office manager however, as they must receive the proper care in order to make the surroundings beautiful. A plant can die for any number of reasons, and a wilting plant or set of flowers will look tacky to visitors. Additionally, plants that are cared for will grow, and you will find yourself pruning and repotting your decorations a couple of times a year. Add to that the potential mess of fallen leaves and scattered dirt, and you will see why houseplants can be quite a chore even if you are gifted with a green thumb.
Fortunately, there are alternatives to real plants if you want to add that extra splash of color to your home. Artificial plants and silk flowers are a perfect low maintenance addition to the home or office in terms of decor.
Artificial plants can be purchased almost anywhere, as they do not require special care or storage from the retailer. Artificial plants can sit on shelves for long periods of time in stores, just as they can in your home. Artificial plants and artificial trees are manufactured in all the varieties found in real plants, and can be tailored to fit your space needs. You choose the artificial plant variety, the pot, and then walk your new décor item out the door. The only maintenance you will need to do is dusting!
Silk flowers are an even more abundant option than artificial plants. Silk flowers can be bought in arrangements or separately, in a variety of species replicas and sizes. There is no need to keep silk flowers in a vase- if you want to have tiny individual daisies along the edges of your bathroom, you can accomplish the task with silk flowers!
In addition to their low maintenance appeal, artificial plants and silk flowers do not produce any pollen or sap, so they are not a risk for any person who might be afflicted with allergies. Artificial plants and silk flowers are a perfect housewarming or office decoration.
It is best to cut your flowers in the morning hours after the dew has evaporated from the plants. Once cut, group stems into bunches using rubber bands (pure rubber rubber bands work best) and remove them from the sunlight as soon as possible.There are definite developmental times which are best for cutting flowers for drying. This can be very specific for different plants or even different cultivators of the same plant. In general, it is best to pick immature flowers (ones that are not completely open) since flowers continue to open during the drying process. If you pick a flower at the time that it looks perfect, it will continue to open while drying, leaving you with a flower past that ‘perfect stage’. Most people pick flowers too late. For example, have you ever seen a pretty dried rose? If you really look at it, the flower is still fairly closed. Avoid harvesting flowers too mature in development. Such flowers will generally shed upon drying and will not hold up well in arrangements.We offer specific picking and growing recommendations for each flower we grow. Just click on any dried flower name on any of our lists to obtain a wealth of specific information including pictures!
Second: Preserving Flowers
With only a few exceptions, we air dry all our flowers. We simple hang flower bunches upside down on wire (over two miles of it is stretched in our circa 1860 barns). The barns offer ideal conditions: 1) darkness; 2) very good airflow; 3) cool updrafts; 4) perfect (usually) humidity levels. Once you have cut your flowers, it is important to remove them from the sunlight as soon as possible. This, along with drying in the dark, is the most important factor in maintaining good color.Note:
1)How to Hang Flower Bunches
Suspend a 1/2-inch-diameter horizontal pole or pipe from the ceiling. If fastening hooks into your ceiling or walls is not an option, use tripods or two high-backed chairs to support the pole. A bent paper clip makes a perfect hanger for your bunches. Put newspaper or a drop cloth on the floor under the hanging bunches to catch fallen leaves, seeds, and petals. Hang bunches far enough apart to allow good air circulation.
2)How Long to Hang Flowers to Dry
The drying process takes from 10 to 20 days, depending on the plant. When dried, the stems should snap. You must test the flowers for dryness. Dissect one or two, and make sure the flowers” insides are thoroughly dry.
Some flowers, such as delphiniums, keep their color better if dried quickly near sources of warm air such as a heater. Large, many-flowered blooms such as dill, fluffy grasses, and Queen Anne”s lace, should be dried upright, not hanging upside down.
3) How to Dry Flowers with Silica?
Silica-gel drying is done in shallow, airtight, plastic (or glass) containers or trays. I dry many flowers at once using a 10- by 18-inch airtight plastic container. Yours need not be that big, but make sure that the flowers aren’t crowded. Spread the flowers out, face up, on a 1-inch (minimum depth) bed of crystals. Carefully spoon or sprinkle more silica on top until you’ve completely covered the flowers with at least another inch of crystals. Drying flowers with single-petal structures, such as daisies, facedown is another technique, but my results have been identical using both approaches. To dry flowers facedown, create a small mound for the flower head, place the flower head facedown on it, and add silica over the flower until it is covered. Flowers can be almost touching, and because similar kinds of flowers dry at the same rate, you may wish to group similar blooms in the same container. Seal the container, and don’t disturb it for three to four days.
Remove delicate blossoms very carefully. Shake or brush off the crystals lightly with a soft artist’s paintbrush. Leaving flowers in desiccant too long makes them very fragile, so remove flowers right away once you’ve determined that they’re dry enough.
4) How to Use Sand to Dry your Flowers?
Sand must be very fine, clean, dry, and preferably salt free. Sifting is recommended to remove coarse grains and foreign particles. Rinsing the sand in water several times to remove any soil is also recommended. Damp sand can be dried in an oven by placing in shallow pans and baking at 250 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes. Be sure to use only flowers in their prime and process them quickly to prevent wilting.
To dry with sand, place an inch or two of sand in a container; scoop away a small amount of sand to form a depression on the surface; place the flower head upright in this depression and press the sand in and around the outside of the flower to support it. Next, scoop a little sand into your hand and allow it to trickle in a fine stream around each petal. Start with the outer petals and work inward row by row, allowing the sand to build up equally on all sides of each petal so its position and shape are not altered. Flowers dried with sand are fragile so be very careful when removing them from the sand. Notice that flowers must be stored in a strong carton to protect the petals from breaking.
5) Using a Microwave Oven to Dry Flowers
The latest and fastest method to dry flowers is to use a combination of silica gel and a microwave oven.
With the use of a microwave, you can now dry your flowers very quickly. Flowers should be gathered at their peak or else they will turn brown. Use any of the drying agents (silica gel, sand, borax) in a container deep enough to cover the bloom. Leave a 1/2 inch stem on the flower, and place it face up on a 1/2 inch layer of drying agent. Carefully sprinkle enough agent to cover the flower, and place it in the microwave along with a small bowl of water. Do not remove the flowers from the agent immediately, but set them aside for several hours. Listed below are some times for drying flowers in a microwave.
By using air drying and other methods also, many flowers can be preserved for year-round enjoyment. Plan now to include some flowers in your garden for drying, and check nearby fields and road sides throughout the summer and fall for more dried plant materials.
Third: Care of Dried Flowers
Routine dusting can be accomplished using a real feather duster or hair blow dryer on it’s lowest setting.
Last: Storing and Enjoying Dried Flowers
We recommend wrapping the flowers in newspaper and placing them in a cardboard box. Do not store the box containing the dried flowers where it is unusually damp (some basements) or very dry (some attics). Also, a lot of people think you should never store dried flowers outside (it would be way to cold). This is simply not true. Temperatures are not important. In fact, a garage can be an ideal place for storing dried flowers. Actually, if your home is heated by forced air, the preferred place to store dried flowers would be in a outside building away from the dry heat.
In general, dried flowers should remain out of direct sunlight while you enjoy them in their final state. This will minimize fading over time. We also suggest not to place dried flowers in the path of forced air heat registers. This extremely dry air is very hard on dried flower structure (causes shattering). Suggestion for use of dried flowers would include wreaths, swags, sheaths, bouquets, and sprays. Simply hanging dried flowers in a room can be very appealing. Also, placing clusters of bunches in a basket, as though you just came in from a garden, is most attractive.
Caution: if you do store your dried flowers outside, make sure you protect them from small rodents and insects (a few mothballs will work).
Finally, I should to say that drying flowers can be addictive! Before long, wreaths will adorn all your doors, and swags will hang from every wall. And they’ll all have come from your own garden. Talk about an extended season! You’ll soon see why dried flowers are often called “everlastings”.
I love orange blossom tea but can never find a blend that I am truly happy with. I have been trying to find just loose orange blossoms/flowers/petals but nobody seems to sell them. There are hundreds of different teas with blossoms already mixed in, but I would like to buy a jar of them and blend it myself. Somebody has to sell them….. Please help me
Eh, I bet you’ve already tried organic or health food stores. If so, you might want to talk to the store owner, or manager, and ask them if they could do a special order for you. You’d be surprised how many stores do that!
I love orange blossom too… haven’t had since I was a kid… I guess I’m going to have to hop on a store and buy them Grrr
Grrr