Camera PV 2007 » Digital Camera » DIY flowers questions
DIY flowers questions
Question:
Okay, here are my answers: 1.) Floralife works just fine, I’ve never had a problem (YMMV of course). I have really seen no difference in the after-soak performance of quick vs standard, but of course I am not always overly observant. 
Floral foam for dried flowers is not made to absorb and hold water, the stuff for fresh is. 2.) There are two things you can use… the first is waterproof tape (NOT the stuff used to wrap flower stems which is not sticky) You can buy it in green and clear. The other thing is a plastic thing with four prongs and a flat head (the name of the thing is escaping me right now) you fasten the flat part to the bottom of your container with floral clay and push the foam down on it. You can soak the foam first, or after attaching it to your bowl, it works either way. I recommend using both fastening methods for extra security. Some tips: I really recommend finding a book with step by step instructions of the type of arrangement you want. It will save you a lot of time and frustration, it’s so easy to mess these things up! Trust me! I’m definitely a vase girl Arrangements that are mainly greens with a few flowers are SO much easier for beginners than traditional arrangements with many types of flowers. If you push a stem in too far, pull it out and make a new hole. Simply pulling up the stem to the desired height will create an air bubble under the stem and your flower will wilt quickly. Do NOT use scissors to cut your flowers, use a knife. You can use a paring knife if you want, but many craft stores sell florist knives, and they are pretty inexpensive. Relax and have fun, you may discover a hidden talent! Cat Quote of the month: "The sun is shining – The sun is shining. That is the Magic. The flowers are growing – the roots are stirring. That is the Magic. Being alive is the Magic – Being strong is the Magic. The Magic is in me – the Magic is in me. It’s in every one of us." spoken by Colin Craven in _The Secret Garden_ by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Response:
> Okay, I’m starting my research into making my own centerpieces, and I have a > few questions: > 1. Is there any difference between the brands of wet floral foam? Oasis > seems to be significantly more expensive than Floralife. ($37.50 vs. $29.50 > per case of 48). And, is there a difference in performance between the > standard and quick-saturation foams? (Yes, I know one gets wet faster, I > want to know if one works better.) While we’re at it, what’s the difference > between the foam for dry flowers and the foam for fresh flowers?
The foam for fresh flowers absorbs water, whereas the other stuff does not. Don’t confuse the two! Either brand of fresh floral foam is fine…just hydrate it 24 hours before use. > 2. What do you use to attach to foam brick to the inside of your container? > I have some lovely silverplate centerpiece bowls, but I can’t see an obvious > way to keep the foam from tipping, or bouncing out in transit. There must > be a specific florist supply for this…
Actually, unless your container is HUGE, you won’t need a full brick. For most arrangements I have made, a half-brick is plenty. Cut it in half before hydrating. There is a gum-like substance used to "stick" down the foam in the container…I forget what it is called, as I hardly ever have to use it. You can buy it at craft stores and floral supply stores. > I know that lots of people here would like to do their own flowers, but it > can be a scary proposition.
It is REALLY easy…don’t be intimidated! If you want to go the super-easy route, buy small vases, and just have a small bouquet in each, or a few fresh flowers, and wrap with a ribbon. Esy and elegant. We just bought a digital camera so I plan to > make a step-by-step webpage of my experience so that others can benefit from > what I find out. The only instructional webpages I’ve been able to find > seem to be geared towards people who already know what they’re doing, and > everything comes out looking Martha-Stewart perfect, probably because they > were made by a professional florist. I’ll keep you posted. > Meg
Be sure to check out books in the library about flower arranging…lots of good "how-to" books out there. HTH, Lyn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Response:
Okay, I’m starting my research into making my own centerpieces, and I have a few questions: 1. Is there any difference between the brands of wet floral foam? Oasis seems to be significantly more expensive than Floralife. ($37.50 vs. $29.50 per case of 48). And, is there a difference in performance between the standard and quick-saturation foams? (Yes, I know one gets wet faster, I want to know if one works better.) While we’re at it, what’s the difference between the foam for dry flowers and the foam for fresh flowers? 2. What do you use to attach to foam brick to the inside of your container? I have some lovely silverplate centerpiece bowls, but I can’t see an obvious way to keep the foam from tipping, or bouncing out in transit. There must be a specific florist supply for this… I know that lots of people here would like to do their own flowers, but it can be a scary proposition. We just bought a digital camera so I plan to make a step-by-step webpage of my experience so that others can benefit from what I find out. The only instructional webpages I’ve been able to find seem to be geared towards people who already know what they’re doing, and everything comes out looking Martha-Stewart perfect, probably because they were made by a professional florist. I’ll keep you posted. Meg