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Paper Twist, an essential Use it to attach stems to other stems as Ngaire has, phials to plant material, vines to each other, or plant material to stands. Make it bold or hide it with 2 colours: moss (green) and natural (light brown) Wind it into coils or corkscrews, use it to bind, decorate it with copper wire, the ideas are limitless! Phone +64 7 548 2866
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The completed design. |
Vines
in a Vase
First find a vase that has a lovely shape. Ngaire found hers in a junk shop for $2, all shiny and covered with flowers. Then assemble tissue paper, and wall paper paste. Dip the tissue in the paste and cover the vase with it, making a paper mache that covers over the vase completely. The tissue gives a finer texture than newspaper, so if you want a bigger, bolder texture, use that instead. When it is dry, paint the container in the colour of your choice. "Work quickly" says Ngaire, "don't fuss, and it's fun" Ngaire touched up her container with spray paint, "but talk to someone as you do it, "she says, "so you don't get too meticulous." |
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When you have the colour you like let it dry and then add the mechanics Find a container that will fit inside the rim of the vase snugly and extends into the vase for at least 100 mm . Ngaire saves all sorts of plastic containers from her groceries just for this purpose. Soak green floral foam if you are using fresh flowers, and then put into the container, with the foam extending slightly above the rim. Put the container into the vase. Add chicken wire over the top of the foam and rim. |
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When
it has dried a little, use paper twist wire
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Add the first set of vines vertically to give the design height. Normal dimensions to decide on the length of the Philodelphus stems are: the container is 1/3 the vertical line is 2/3 . Then add one of the curved Philodelphus sets from the base of the vase up into the vertical set. Finally add another curved set from the top of the vase to almost the top of the vertical set. Secure with paper twist if necessary. |
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Ngaire then added 3 heliconias around the design followed by big red gerberas. "If you place them full face," says Ngaire,"They will be eye catching so try to place them all on different angles to give the design dimension, with one near the top". Place the others as you find pleasing. |  |
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Now add 2 Aralia leaves, cut very short, into the floral foam , a few bracts of leucodendrum, and some hypericum berries. These will hide the floral foam at the base and complete the design. |  |
The Art of Floral Design by Norah T. Hunter It is a textbook style book, so it is technical. If you are interested in retail floristry then you will find it to be a great book. If you are a hobbyist or are looking for a book to give you ideas for arrangements to place around the house this book maybe more technical than you want. The practical knowledge she teaches about flower names, running a floral business, care and handling, etc. are invaluable to anyone working in the floral industry. The book also contains an excellent appendix of flower and foliage names with illustrations .More... |
Flowers:
The Book of Floral Design
This book is full of
beautiful photos of fabulous arrangements. The author begins the book with
a history of flower arranging, and goes on to discuss color, glassware
choices, and necessary materials. Has excellent information on conditioning,and an A-Z guide to plant materials. An excellent reference.
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