Floral Arrangements by Sierra Donna Jackson
Posted on Apr 15, 2010 under silk flowers | Comments are off
Floral Arrangements, Silk Flowers
Decorating With Silk & Dried Flowers : 80 Arrangements Using Floral Materials of All Kinds
Posted on Mar 27, 2010 under dried flowers | 5 Comments
Product Description
-Demonstrates 80 arrangements using floral materials of all kinds…. More >>
Decorating With Silk & Dried Flowers : 80 Arrangements Using Floral Materials of All Kinds
Flower Arrangements: Classicalmesh
Posted on Mar 21, 2010 under dried flowers | Comments are offIkebana: Floral arrangement reloaded
Visualize the phrase: “Floral arrangement” and you can almost smell it. A glorious bouquet of fresh roses arranged festively or solemnly, depending on the occasion. These floral arrangements are undeniably beautiful, emotive and symbolic, and are a part of our culture. Our Judeo Christian never preclude the study of Lao Tzu, Confucius and the Zen, and Ikebana is indeed the Zen in the art of flower arrangements.
The materials used for Ikebana are earthy– freshly cut branches, vines, leaves, grasses, berries, fruit, seeds and flowers also the wilted and dried plants. Putting it all together is decidedly spiritual. An expression of spiritual resonance. In Ikebana floral arrangement, the material, the style of the arrangement; the size, shape, texture, volume and color of the container even the place and occasion for its display are all vitally important factors.
Ikebana originated from a simple ritual flower offering made in Buddhist temples in Japan during the sixth century. In that initial arrangement the flowers and the branches both were made to point toward heaven to show reverence. With the passage of time this art evolved into a sophisticated style of arranging flowers called “Rikka” (standing flowers) in 15th century. Rikka was created by the Buddhist monks of the Ikenobo School. The Rikka depicts the magnificence of nature plus its display. The material used in it, were pine branches represent rocks and stones, and white chrysanthemums signifying a river or small stream. This style became quite famous in seventeenth century but worn as a decoration for ceremonies and festivities. Alas it is now considered old-fashioned and is rarely practiced.
Japan too was affected by the Western Civilization after the beginning of Meiji era (1868- 1912) . The new style in Ikebana called Moribana, literally “piled-up flowers” brought a total revolution in this art. The traditional way was to gather different materials and place them in a container to emerge from a single point. Ohara the revolutionist made use of diverse types of supports to arrange the cut plants on an extended surface in wide but shallow containers called suiban meaning “water basin”. This technique introduced the usage of new imported materials which were never accommodated before in traditional styles. This allowed the conception of landscape style called “shakei” in flower arrangement. This gave way to show scenes from nature in a very naturalist rather more symbolic manner.
Another prominent innovator was Adachi Choka (1887-1969), who implemented moribana but described his work simply as decoration. The innovation in the art of flower arrangement continued. After the Meiji cult Ikebana further improved as zen’ei ikebana or zen’eibana. This new form of Ikebana was even more expressive than the old style. Women were conventionally schooled in Ikebana, tea ceremony and calligraphy in training for marriage. Flower arrangement today is established as one of the traditional arts in Japan. People practice it on many occasions as ceremonies and festivities, modern people are still opting to study the art. At this time there are 3000 schools ikebana schools in Japan and almost thousand more worldwide. The most famous Ikebana schools are Ikebono, Ohara and Sogetsu. Most of the Ikebana school sprouts from Ikebono School even today Ikebono School alone has 60,000 teachers around the world. 15 million people in Japan practice Ikebana, typically young women.
We can divide Ikebana approximately into two styles. Moribana which has a shallow vase style and second is Nageire having a tall vase style. Sogetsu School adapts array of kakei (patterns) for either style consequently even an apprentice can swiftly generate their own arrangements. All the Ikebana schools mainly emphasis on the basic rule of proportion between material and container or the other way round. It requires the existence of three main lines: Sky, man and earth. And these lines are affixed in the container in certain preset sizes and angle of inclination. The rules of Ikebana teach sensitivity for balance and proportion and also the well-balance coexistence of weak and strong material. It brings you closer to nature. Ikebana, for the one who knows the spirit of this art is more than just a way of flower arrangement it’s a complete different perspective of showing life and reverence.
Sogetsu School that is just dedicated for Ikebana was formed by the founder Tofu Teshigahara in 1927. He adopted modernity of art and fused it with historical traditions of Ikebana. After his death in 1979, the school was monitored by his daughter Kasumi Teshigahara. Unfortunately due to her untimely death in 1980 school was followed by her brother in 1980 Hiroshi Teshigahara. Hiroshi Teshigahara being already the famous movie director and ceramicist introduced advanced impulses into the teaching of school. It’s the result of his devotion for the art of Ikebana that today ikebana has gained more and more acknowledgement even in the western world. After his death in 2001 his daughter is supervising the school. Ikebana has always considered as an asset in Japan and learned with respect and devotion.
For more information about Flowers Arrangement Please visit http://www.classicalmesh.com/flowers-arrangements.php
Silk Floral & Artificial Flower Arrangements
Posted on Mar 14, 2010 under silk flowers | Comments are offThe beauty and charm of flowers is immense and unrivaled! No one can remain untouched by their elegance. Since time immemorial, humans have been using these flower meanings for communicating their emotions and heartfelt feelings for each other. Flower Arrangements are all about creating eternal beauty, nice fragrance, mesmerizing colors and a perfect ambiance.
Fresh flowers are not easy to maintain as they have to be watered and changed daily. Contrarily, Artificial Flowers are much easier to manage. Presently Artificial Flower Arrangements are used the world over. Their popularity is attributed to their durable quality and life-like appearance. Advancement in technology has lead to the production of artificial blossoms which feel like real flowers and have bright, natural colors.
Silk Flowers are Artificial Flowers made of polyester that completely replicate the real ones with their look, smell and even feel. These are preferred as they are available all year long, are hypoallergenic, do not undergo withering or shedding, and are easy to clean. Silk Flower Arrangements decorate and enhance the beauty of any room or venue. They can be matched to rooms of any color and occasions of varied themes. Artificial leaves, flora and foliage are an intrinsic part of these Flower Arrangements. Beautifully crafted ribbons, lace, sequins and other embellishments are essential accessories for these stunning Flower Bouquets.
Good quality silk flowers are usually very expensive. Discount Silk Flowers are offered at discounted rates during clearance sales and are often very good.
Modern Flower Arrangements do not follow the traditional outline of arranging flowers, but instead use ornamental geometric motifs and clean-lined containers to carry the geometric theme through into everyday life. Modern flower arrangements work well as corporate gifts. Christmas symbolizes the holiday season of cheer, merriment, celebration, togetherness, gifts and God. Christmas Flower Arrangements involve the ‘Christmas flower’, ‘Poinsettia’ which comes in various colors and beautifies a house and a Christmas party.
Centerpiece Flower Arrangement is an important part of the table Floral Arrangement and plays a significant role in establishing the theme of different occasions. The cutlery, table napkins, plates and even the table cloth must match these floral Centerpieces.
Silk Floral Arrangements add splendor, love and warmth, serving as the most awesome gifts. It is said that Flowers make people better, happier and more helpful, as they are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul.
If you are interested to know more about Silk Floral & Artificial Flower Arrangements, please search our site (http://www.lovelysilkflowers.com/) for more in-depth information and resources.
hawaii silk floral arrangements
Posted on Mar 03, 2010 under silk flowers | Comments are offHawaii silk floral arrangements are used all over the world for their beauty and stunning arrangement. These flowers are seasonal and are not available at all times. To be able to get hawaii silk floral arrangements all year round, we have to settle for the artificial variety. Asianlanterns, boylesilkfloralsupply, kinkadestudios and outbackboutique are great sources for artificial Hawaii silk floral arrangements .
How to prepare a Hawaii silk floral arrangement called a lei: The flowers are sorted by size, color, and quality prior to stringing. A special lei needle and twine are used to fashion the blossoms into a strand about 40 inches in length. The strand is then tied with ribbon to form the typical lei. The metal lei needle is 12 to 18 inches long with a sharp point at one end and a small hook on the other end to hold the twine.
To make an orchid lei: hold a blossom flat in one hand and insert the needle carefully through the bottom of the flower, then through the center, and finally through the other end. Push the blossom down onto the lei needle and repeat the process until you have five or six blossoms on the needle. Wrap your free hand around the flowers and pull the needle and then the lei twine gently through the flowers. Repeat this process until the lei is the length you want.
Hawaii silk floral arrangements can be used for many occasions. According to the occasion the arrangement and the flowers included will vary. The occasions can be everyday decoration, anniversary, baby, get well soon gift and sympathy gift. From the arrangement of flowers the celebration or the occasions will be identified.
Silk flowers and plants are great for use in home decor or commercial business decor and are available from retailers such as designers, gift shops and promotional companies.
Tropical Flower Arrangements For Grandeur
Posted on Mar 02, 2010 under silk flowers | Comments are offFlowers have always mesmerized the humankind. A glance at the mythology will reveal the importance of flowers, such as anemone, carnation, hyacinth, lily, lotus, narcissus, poppy, rose, sunflower, and violet. While natural flowers can be a thing of beauty only for short period, silk flowers are a joy for ever. This is why many prefer silk wedding flowers to keep the sweet memories alive forever. Although making of the silk flowers dates back many centuries, the trade has gained great momentum recently. Today the modern floral designs and tropical flower arrangements have become the center of attraction, when it comes to interiors. If you like to decorate your home or office with great looking modern floral designs, you can find a wide range of floral designs in the internet. The world of internet has made it easy for you to explore the variety, compare prices, and check the quality of silk flowers. A simple search on the internet can give you much information about the latest trends and designs in the contemporary market. Websites have divided the floral arrangements according to the tastes of customers. The beauty of online dealing is that you get them at highly competitive prices and some websites even offer money-back guarantee. One other advantage of buying silk flowers online is that you get a clear picture of the quality through customer reviews. There are few things to be noted while choosing floral designs. And these include color, accent, form, balance, size, and dimension. Professionals dealing with silk flowers can provide you with the perfect combination that could add value to your environment. There are many advantages in using silk flowers to decorate your interiors or bridal wear. For example, silk flowers are durable and long lasting. They do not contain allergens like the pollen or germs in natural flowers. They can be easily shipped from any corner of the world. Maintaining them is very easy as most floral designs are washable. With so many positive aspects, it’s no wonder that many today opt for silk flowers.
Storing Silk Flower Stems for your Silk Flower Arrangements and other Crafts
Posted on Feb 22, 2010 under silk flowers | Comments are off For your crafters that like to work with silk flowers for all your many hobbies, if you are like me, it is hard to find a method of storage for all your silk flower supplies. I like making silk flower arrangements, artificial floral candle rings and wreaths, you usually like to keep supplies around since you find great deals when you’re shopping. You probably have found that storing them by laying them down does nothing but ruin its posture. Or storing them in vases takes up a lot of floor or shelf space, and you also have to compensate for the size of each container. Today I wanted provide a quick how to article stepping you through the process of creating a platform that allows you to store your many different silk flower supplies with a small foot print. The premise for the design is to take advantage of height and shape of silk flower stems to “stack” your silk flowers in an organized and easily maintainable way. You can picture a pole to hang coats, but instead of hooks were going to use rings to hold the flowers at an angle. Items you will need: 1) 6’ long / 4” diameter PVC pipe 1) 6’ long / 5” diameter PVC pipe 2) 1” woods screws 3) 2’ sq. piece of ¾” particle board 4) 3 x L shaped bracket (should have at least a drilled whole in each in, two in each end would be even better. Make sure the holes are not larger than the head on the 1” wood screws.) Equipment you will need: 1) Phillips Screwdriver (the neck of the screw driver –the metal part- will need to be most likely 5-6” long. 2) (power screwdriver if you have it) 3) Power drill 4) Approx 3/8 drill bit (must drill holes bigger than the head of your wood screws) 5) Some type of power saw or hand saw to cut the PVC pipe. You can change the dimensions of this design to fit your needs easily. I am making this at 6’ high, but could be at any height, but I probably wouldn’t go below 3’. Once you get the hang of what you are accomplishing it will be a breeze to complete. The hardest part will be figuring out the layout of what you want. All the items I mentioned above can be obtained from your local hardware store. You are also not required to have exactly those dimensions. If your retailer carries 3” diameter PVC only, you can use that, it just won’t hold as many silk flower stems as a 4” or 5” diameter pipe. The “L” shaped brackets are used for securing items like two boards perpendicular to each other. In our case, were going to use it to fasten the pole Let’s start by picturing your standard pole for hanging coats on. We’re going to recreate this concept by fastening one of the poles to the 2’ sq particle board we have. 1) With the 2’ particle board flat on the ground we will stand the 6’ long, 4” diameter PVC pipe on end on top of, and in the middle of the board we have flat on the ground. (This is the only part an extra pair of hands would come in handy). 2) If you are lucky to have someone hold the pipe the following will not be a problem. We are going to take the 3 “L” shaped brackets and place them equally around the pipe, with one end flush against the side of the pipe, while the other end of the bracket is flush with board. 3) You will then use the 1” wooden screws to fasten one end of the bracket to the board, and the other end to the pole. As I mentioned above, if you can find brackets that have 2 holes on each end, if will be even more secure. 4) (TIP) if don’t have someone that can support the pole, you can opt to set the brackets around the pipe the way they will end up, mark the holes on the board (only), then remove the pipe. You can then proceed to fasten the brackets to the 2’ sq particle board first. Then proceed to put the pipe back in-between all three brackets and finish off securing the top part of each bracket to the pipe – make sure the pipe is plumb (straight up and down). 5) We will now proceed to take the second 6’ long PVC pipe and cut it in segments of 4” long pieces. This should give you approximately 18 pieces. This might or might not be enough depending on how big you are making this or how much you want to cram in on this pole. If you need more, you’ll need another pole PVC pipe to cut more 4” long pieces. 6) We are now going to use our drill to drill “a” hole on one side of each of the 4” long pieces of PVC pipe we cut. Make sure to drill the hole in the dead middle of the ring. To be clearer, I mean the middle as in between the top and bottom of the ring. We are going to use this hole, to put our long neck Phillips screwdriver through in order to turn the screw that will fasten the opposite side to the pole (more on that in a minute). 7) Once you are done drilling the hole through all the pieces, we are going to start at the bottom of the pole and work our way up. You must stop and understand that the intentions are not to set the holder so it is holding the group of silk flower stems perpendicular to the ground. Rather at a 90 degree angle. This is important as you will want to start high enough off the ground on the pole so that at 90 degrees the bottom of the stems is not touching the ground. You will probably have to put your stems through the ring (holder) and place against the pole to find the right starting point. This is where you would hold them at a 90 degree angle to get the right height. i) Holding the 4” pipe piece against the pipe, we are going to line up the side that is the very opposite side from the side you drilled the hole. It would be idea to have someone hold this piece so you can concentrate on fastening. Place the wooden screw inside the ring, using your other hand feed the screwdriver through the hole. And commence with fastening the screw through the ring into the pole. 
With a tight fit, you should find that you can swivel the ring around. We will want to put it at 90 degree angle to figure out where the next one will go. 9) Now that we have one on, we can figure out how we are going to position the rest. You can definitely experiment with this depending on the length of your silk flower stems, but in most cases I found two idea methods: a) Staggering the rings around the pole as you work your way up or b) Picture a candy cane strip as it works its way up the pole. 10) Once you have proceeded to fasten each of your 4” rings to the pole, you should find that you can easily adjust their angle to accommodate the different lengths of stems and what is beneath and below each ring. Once completed, you can then fill each ring with your silk flower stems. You should now find that you have assembled a 6’ pole, aligned with holders for silk flower stems. You can group them by project, or by type. What I have found is setting them into the holder, then taking the stems and giving them a very slight tub to snug them in place helps. There are a ton of other bells and whistles that am a not exploring in this article that you can add or change about your setup. I have included a few of those ideas in the below additional tip section. Enjoy. Below are a couple additional tips: 2) When placing the bunches of stems in each ring, be careful not to overcrowd 3) Other great ideas is taking small 2”-3” pipe and cutting into 5” lengths a. In open areas where you can’t place the large 4” pipe pieces, you can then place these small pieces perpendicular with the ground against the pole to hold additional small silk flower supplies (close against the pole) out of the way of the larger holders. 4) You could leave an area for hanging silk flower wreaths or silk flower candle rings. Based on the diameter of your wreaths or candle rings, you would leave this much room on the pole before your holders start. Then taking a 1” PVC pipe (length is up to you) and by drilling a slightly bigger hole through the middle of the main pole, slide your 1” pipe through and create a place to ‘hang’ your wreaths and candle rings.
Sensational Dried Flowers: Make Arrangements So Beautiful They Look Fresh
Posted on Feb 21, 2010 under dried flowers | 5 Comments
Product Description
From an expert floral artist comes the first comprehensive book on drying flowers with silica gel. This lavish volume offers detailed techniques for cutting flowers, setting up a workspace, accumulating tools, and dealing with problem insects. Complete materials lists and step-by-step instructions guide readers through sensational design projects, including:
-Essence of Spring Wall Hanging
-Garden-Variety Ginger Jar
-Magnolia Leaf Wreath
-Chris… More >>
Sensational Dried Flowers: Make Arrangements So Beautiful They Look Fresh
How to Dry Flowers the Easy Way and Make Year Round Arrangements from Garden Blossoms
Posted on Feb 13, 2010 under how to dry flowers | Comments are offHow to Dry Flowers the Easy Way and Make Year Round Arrangements from Garden Blossoms
