Floral Arrangements - A Hobby That Can Make A Flourishing Business As Well

Arts and crafts are a hobby for millions of people. More and more are trying their hand on floral arrangements.

Floral arrangements have a way of making people feel more serene, and some arrangements say, "I love you". There is no manual what to use for a floral design, it depends on what you want and what occasion you want to give one. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

There are different materials that you can make your arrangement out of. If you are giving your arrangement to someone who has a hectic or busy schedule, or is forgetful, you may want to consider an arrangement made out of silk. They are beautiful, and can be refreshed for months of beauty. You can even scent them to give the appearance of real flowers.

There are different types of arrangements. If you want to give someone you love one of these arrangements, consider a Korean floral arrangement. It is made of delicate flowers and is arranged in a dainty pattern. Or you could also go for the ever popular Japanese style of Ikebana.

When you give a floral arrangement of carnations and roses, you are saying I love you to anyone you give it too.

Your creations are only limited by what you can envision. There are thousands of different types of flowers to use to create the perfect flower arrangement.

Another popular trend in flower arrangement is to work with artificial flowers. These flowers are often made of silk or other such material .The best thing about these arrangements is that they are long lasting hypoallergenic for those having allergies. Besides they look natural and beautiful as well.

Whether you use real flowers or artificial, any arrangement that you can make will be incredible.

Creating your arrangement must be done with the utmost care in order for it to last for a long time.

Floral foam will assist you in a lot of different ways. However, before using it in your arrangement, you will need to soak it in water. Put the foam in a bucket of water. It is not advisable to pour water over the foam because it could miss spot and take away from the life of your arrangement.

Flowers need food, even in an arrangement. There is special food for cut flowers. This type of food dissolves easily in water and can be fed to your flowers daily.

When you are making a flower arrangement for someone, take into consideration the type of person and use the appropriate flowers.

An important thing about this wonderful art is that you can convert it into a flourishing business. You can earn good money by starting your own florist shop. You can either choose to become a wholesale florist or a retailer. You will soon find that there is no business like flower business!

Summary:

Making a floral arrangement can tell someone that you really care. When you take the time to do it yourself it shows a personal touch that a professional cannot match.

Brooke Hayles
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THE FLORAL RECIPES

As a Floral Designer I am always looking at simple ways of enhancing the use of flowers. With the dull grey skies of the monsoons, it would be nice to liven up a lunch or dinner table with some bright colours.

It is really simple to use household stuff that is easily available and change the ways the flowers look in your home. Floral arranging is the only field of fine arts in which anyone can excel, since creative ability can be developed by everyone.

The medium used is inherently beautiful so one does not need a high level of technical skill like an artist or a musician who has to manipulate paint, rock, clay or instruments to derive beauty from it. Flowers and other material of nature have their own beauty we simply need to combine these to enhance our enjoyment.

Of course, floral arrangement as an art has a history, even if it has not been documented as meticulously as some other arts. We look at an arrangement in the lobby of a five-star hotel and wonder how expensive it could be, but we could make our homes look exotic without spending much.

To be honest, it does not take much to have wonderful floral arrangements at home -- just a little out-of-the-box thinking is all it takes. In any case, you would already be spending a bit on buying flowers. With some extra thought, the same bunch of flowers can be made to look so different. The beauty of it all is that, depending on the 'accessories' or 'ingredients' used no two arrangements will look the same.

Instead of just bright gerberas stuck in a no-nonsense vase, or orchids in a glass vase, why not change the look with simple techniques? Or why not simply use a fruit innovatively like a vase?

A Floral Recipe; using things from the kitchen or easily available "other" ingredients, we can make new recopies everyday.

In fact, you could work you way around and use different arrangements for each room of your home. Most of these arrangements will last anywhere between three to six days.

I have thought up 2 recopies here, and a variant on each.

Colour On Colour

Here's what you need:

1. Four clear glass tumblers. Could be different shapes, or sizes.

2. A basic wire stand or basket or Wooden Tray (could be an old pickle stand that we keep on our tables).

3. Food colours like yellow, red and green.

4. 12 brightly coloured (Red) Gerberas.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Fill the tumblers with clear water and then add food colour - green in one, orange, blue and yellow in the others.

2. Place these tumblers in the wire stand or on the edges of a small wooden tray.

3. Fill each of them with the bright, contrasting gerberas.

4. Three gerberas each are enough to ensure that the rims of the tumblers are covered.

Decide where to display the stand but make sure that the contrasting coloured water and the gerberas are visible clearly.

Voila! You have a stunning colourful display that is so easily made and so different from the typical 'flowers-in-a-vase' look.

VARIANT:

Use the same display differently in a bedroom, for instance, using the backdrop of the mirror to double the colour effect and do away with the stand or tray, simply place them on the dresser.

The Melon Dip

Here's what you need:

1. Three musk melons. Not very large.

2. Six long purple orchid stalks.

3. A sharp carver knife.

4. Small 2 inch bits of firm aluminum wire, or wrapping thread (not ribbon)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Slice off the top a bit so that the soft peach flesh is exposed.

2. Cut the 6 stalks of orchids diagonally so that each has a sharp edge.

3. Wrap thin, flat cotton soaked with water around the stem edge.

4. Wrap a piece of transparent plastic around the cotton and then wrap firm wire around the plastic to hold. Or use the thread to tighten the plastic around the cotton.

5. Now your stalk of orchid is strong and firm enough to push into the soft flesh of the exposed melon. Push the orchid stalks in on a slant; this will give a wind swept look to the display.

The contrasting texture of the skin of the melon and the peachy pink flesh used as a natural container, against the contrast with bright purple orchid stalks and you have a masterpiece.

VARIANT:

Some candles could be added too. Use the wire to wrap 3 toothpicks onto the candle base and you have a candle stand! This can then be inserted into the melon.

Use two orchids to a melon if the melons are small or more stalks to make a delightfully simple floral display.

For more ideas write in to info@spring-blossoms.com

Laxmi will help you with any personal queries.

Biography: Laxmi Lobo

Proprietor Spring Blossoms

Started sourcing fresh flowers for The Oberoi, Mumbai, Various florists and Corporates.

Retailing of arrangements/deliveries for Corporates.

Shifted into designing and placements of arrangements for Corporate buildings like: HDFC -Ramon House, Times of India building, ICICI Tower, Sterlite office, Reliance Guest houses, Reliance-Jamnagar

Florist Faq: Answers To Basic Florist Questions

* What is an FTD florist?

In the floral business, FTD means Fresh Trusted Delivered. Many florists associated with FTD deliver fresh flower arrangements from the FTD catalog worldwide.


* Can I have flowers sent anywhere in the world?

Yes, you can. There are many flower shops that have a delivery service anywhere in the world. All you have to do is contact a shop or order online to make your loved ones overseas realize that you care.


* What kinds of gifts can I send from a florist?

Florists offer several different kinds of gifts. Most of these are excellent as gifts for any occasion. Some of them are:

- Flowers

- Balloons

- Gift Baskets

- Baby Gifts

- Wedding Gifts

- Collectibles

- Party Supplies


* Do florists have delivery limitations?

Yes, they do. These limitations are listed in their delivery information or policy. Examples of these limitations are:

- If there are orders made after the free delivery period, especially after business hours, the customer will have to pay the standard delivery charges of the florist.

- If the customer requests a rush order or a special delivery, there will be an additional charge.

- There is no cancellation of an order after delivery. However, if cancellation occurs before the delivery date, a fee of 10 percent of cost of the order will still be charged to the customer.

- Delivery on Sundays and holidays depends on the availability of the delivery area. Orders to be delivered to businesses would usually not be feasible on those days.


* What kinds of flowers should you give for an anniversary, Valentines Day, or Mothers Day?

There are lots of flowers for an anniversary that are popular today. Examples of these are roses, daisies, iris, sweet peas, violets and nasturtiums.

The flowers that are great gifts for Mother's Day include pastel roses, tulips, Gerbera daisies, lavender roses, lilies, and "the charm of your magic."

The top flowers given during Valentine's Day are: roses, carnations, tulips, lilies and orchids.


* What is the proper way to pin a corsage?

A corsage is the flower worn by women to a prom or special event. The proper place to pin on a corsage is just above the collar bone, usually on the left side, by gently curving it around the pin. The corsage should not be pinned in the area near the breast. Girls also sometimes choose to wear corsages on their wrists to avoid crushing them while dancing.

A man's corsage worn at a wedding or other formal occasion is often called a boutonniere, which means "buttonhole." It should be placed in the buttonhole on the lapel of a suit jacket or pinned near the place where such a buttonhole would be, usually on the left side.

Eric Famulary is editor of ez-Florist, the online Florist guide. He also writes Florist FAQ's for PrettyGreatAnswers.com.

Melbourne Florist Advises On Care Of Fresh Flowers

Melbourne Florists chief florist Francine Rizza says that it is important to purchase your fresh flowers from a florist who stores their flowers within their store and not on the street. Fresh flowers will last a lot longer when not exposed to the elements, as flowers are sensitive to ethylene gases produced by passing traffic.

Most good florists purchase only premium quality flowers. You will not find this quality by purchasing cheap flowers from service stations, supermarkets or fruit shops. It is false economy to purchase flowers from such suppliers. At Melbourne Florist our flowers are purchased on demand from our high quality supplier, "Tesselaar Flowers", specialist wholesale florist Melbourne. You can be assured of our flower quality.

With proper care fresh flowers should attain a vase life of 10-14 days, depending upon the cultivar. Lillium, chrysanthemum, gerbera and Australian native flowers are among the longest lasting flowers and can last in excess of three weeks. Firstly choose your flowers skillfully. Avoid buying flowers with yellowing or transparent leave. Examine stems looking for small brown blotches. These are signs that the flowers may be affected by botrytis. Botrytis blight or gray mold is a fungus disease that can affect a wide variety of flowers and plants.

Care and Handling. Remove all packaging materials such as cellophane. Trim stems under water. Strip leaves from lower stems, taking care no foliage will clutter the vase water. Place flowers in a clean container containing a properly prepared solution of fresh flower food. Melbourne Florist advises that you clean your vases using hydrogen peroxide. Domestic cleaner, "white King" is a good choice. Do not overcrowd your vase as flowers need breathing space to survive just as you do! Avoid using water with high fluoride levels, if possible, flowers such as alstroemeria which are susceptible to fluoride damage. By repeating this process of flower care every 2-3 days you can greatly extend the life of your cut flower arrangement. Flowers arranged by the florist in florists foam known as oasis floral foam should by kept topped with fresh water containing a good quality flower food such as "CHRYSAL" Which is supplied by reputable florists. Do not place your fresh flowers in "hot spots" such as near windows or on top of heaters as the life of your flowers will be severely effected.

It is important you do not use flower food for any bulb flowers such as daffodils, hyacinths and tulips as the flower food will cause the stems to grow too much and become weak. Bulb flowers are unique as their food is stored in their bulb

The Melbourne flower shop offers a diverse range of stunning fresh flowers to the Melbourne area including interflora

Choosing a Florist for Your Wedding

Have you ever wondered if what you know about wedding flowers is accurate? Consider the following paragraphs and compare what you know to the latest info on wedding flowers.

The florist that you choose for your wedding may play a significant role in your wedding so it is important to choose your florist wisely. Just a few areas where the florist plays a role in the wedding include the bouquets that are carried by the bride and her bridesmaids, the flowers carried by the flower gift the flowers the groom and his ushers wear in their lapels and the flowers that decorate the ceremony locations. In addition to all of that the florist may also design center pieces for the tables at the reception and decorate the cake with fresh flowers. The use of flowers throughout the ceremony and reception makes it critical that the couple exercise caution and choose a competent and creative florist.

One of the most effective ways to choose a florist for your wedding is to find a florist who is recommended by a trusted friend or family member. Wedding planners and others in the wedding planning industry may have a vested interest in recommending a particular florist for your wedding but a friend or family member makes their recommendations simply because they were happy with a previous performance by the florist. If you have been to a number of weddings in your area and were pleased by the floral arrangements you may want to consider contacting the host of that wedding to find out who they used as their florist. When it comes to choosing a florist, previous performance is the best indication of how the florist will perform in the future.

While the aesthetic appeal of the flowers is important, price will also likely factor into your decision to choose a particular florist. It is important to establish a budget for flowers before you meet with potential florists for your wedding. When you do meet with them get a detailed estimate and discuss what is included in the estimate that they have provided. It is also important to find out if there are any additional fees that have not been included in the estimate such a delivery charges and set-up fees. If possible try to negotiate having these fees incorporated into the estimate to avoid any unexpected charges.

Sometimes the most important aspects of a subject are not immediately obvious. Keep reading to get the complete picture.

It is also important to consider whether or not the florist specializes in weddings. A florist who regularly completes arrangements specifically for weddings is much more likely than another florist to be aware of everything that is involved with being a wedding florist. They will not only know all that is required of them but they will also likely have established relationships with local venues.

Another important consideration in choosing a wedding florist is how much support they are willing to offer. Some florists may simply deliver the flowers to the destination and will not take care of setting up the flowers. You will want to find a florist that is willing to send a representative along with the delivery to ensure that the flowers are set up correctly and that they look fresh and attractive. It is ideal to have your florist remain onsite throughout the wedding and reception to ensure that there are no issues with the flowers but if this is not possible you should have a florist onsite at the very beginning of the party as minimum.

The delivery system employed by the florist is also important in determining whether or not to choose a particular florist for your wedding. Many florists employ independent contractors to take care of their delivery needs. The delivery person drives their own vehicle and operates independently from the florist. While this situation may work out very well for the florist, it could be the recipe for disaster at your wedding. It is important to remember that if the delivery personnel are driving their own vehicles then it is likely that the florist does not have a backup vehicle in case something happens to the delivery truck. However, if the florist employs their own delivery personnel who drive company supplied vehicles then the florist most likely has a contingency plan for when a vehicle breaks down.

Choosing a florist for your wedding is very important. Seeking opinions of friends and family members is one of the most effective ways to choose a qualified florist. Careful review of recommendations is another important step in choosing a florist as is understanding their payment structure.

Knowing enough about wedding flowers to make solid, informed choices cuts down on the fear factor. If you apply what you've just learned about wedding flowers, you should have nothing to worry about.

James Mahony is the founder of The Wedding Handbook - A site dedicated to Weddings

The Wedding Handbook :: Articles for Website Content

The Tossing Of The Bridal Bouquet: A Tradition That Still Lives Today

Even though it is a well-liked tradition recognized at lots of weddings, tossing the cascading bridal bouquet is a tradition that you, the bride can choose to either have or leave out of your ceremony. Its representative custom says that the single woman who catches the cascading bridal bouquet will be the next to get married. Even if there are no guarantees, tossing the cascading bridal bouquet is an amusing way for one lucky guest to take home a one-of-a-kind cascading bridal bouquet memento.

The tradition of tossing the cascading bridal bouquet began with the early belief that good luck herbs were inside the cascading bridal bouquet. In an effort to pass her good fortune on to her wedding guests, the bride would throw her bouquet to one lucky female guest at the end of the wedding. Nowadays, that belief remains intact and so it is recommended that brides who plan to toss the bouquet should have a small, matching cascading bridal bouquet created especially for this tradition so that they can keep the original. I did it at my wedding.

There are more than a few options to consider when tossing the cascading bridal bouquet. If there is a special person that you wish to present the cascading bridal bouquet to, you can get her in private with you and offer her the cascading bridal bouquet memento. Another fun alternative to tossing the cascading bridal bouquet is the fake-out. You, the bride, would select a woman who you wish to catch the cascading bridal bouquet and aim your cascading bridal bouquet directly to her. Of course, the other choice is the fair toss.

Tossing the cascading bridal bouquet is a tradition that can be included in your wedding, but never feel as though you have to follow any rules. The loveliness of your wedding is that it is your special day and you can decide which customs to use and which others you would prefer to leave out. If you are planning to have a cascading bridal bouquet designed in particular for tossing, you may want to think about using silk flowers so that the woman who catches it will be able to preserve this precious memento. Of course, fresh flowers are beautiful, but they will not last. Superior silk flowers, however, will last forever if taken care of accurately. Also, silk cascading bridal bouquets can be arranged to look just as gorgeous as the real thing.

Bonnie Ray is an experienced wedding floral designer with more than seventeen years experience in the wedding industry. To learn more about the traditional cascading wedding bouquet visit her site at http://www.mysilkweddingflowers.com/cascading-bridal-bouquets.htm

Displaying Your Wedding Bouquet

The great day has come and gone, and you are now happily married. You now want to showcase your silk bouquet as a memory of the wonderful occasion. A good display will help to really show off your wedding, and will also help to make sure the bouquet stays in tip-top condition.

There are a few things you should think about when displaying your bouquet. In particular, you must be very careful about displaying your bouquet next to a window. But I'll tell you more about that later...

Anyway, there are 3 ways you can display your bouquet: in a display cabinet; on a shelf; or on a table.

Displaying In A Glass Display Cabinet

The ideal way to display your silk bouquet is in a glass display cabinet. This works really well with a picture of your wedding behind the bouquet, so that your flowers have a backdrop for other people to admire them in their full extent.

Displaying On A Shelf

Another place to display your bouquet is on a shelf. Try and use a high shelf, so that the bouquet is out of the way - you don't want people knocking it over! A couple of small wedding photo's either side of the bouquet will look great, and will really draw the eye to the display.

Displaying On A Table

If you have a posy, then you can display it in a vase, on top of a table. Try and use a table out of the way (A corner table, or dining table maybe), so that the posy doesn't get in the way of your everyday routine. If you place blue and white stones at the bottom of the vase, it will give the impression that the flowers are sitting in water. It looks spectacular, and is definitely worth a try.

Whichever way you to decide to display your bouquet, there are 4 simple rules you should pay attention to:

1) Put the silk bouquet in a place where it will draw attention. A well displayed bouquet makes a great talking point, and will remind you of the happy day every time you see it.

2) Make sure the bouquet is out of the way. You don't want to be knocking it over, or pushing it aside all the time. Perhaps you'll be careful, but what about your children, or your pets?

3) KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid. Many people get carried away when setting up their bouquet display, and add too many photographs and other wedding items. This makes the display look cluttered, and the bouquet stops being a focal point. You want the display to be VERY simple, so that eye is drawn to the the bouquet.

4) Be sure to avoid direct sunlight hitting the bouquet. Direct sunlight is very bad for silk bouquets, and will make them fade and lose their color. Ideally you want natural room light. If you have your bouquet anywhere near a window, make sure the sunlight doesn't directly hit it!

Peta Fletcher has been making silk bouquets for over 14 years. She is the webmaster of http://www.visionsofsilk.com, a website featuring a catalog of bouquets that can be bought, as well as easy-to-understand articles about creating your own silk bouquet.

A Florist for All Seasons

If you are planning a wedding or a party for any other occasion, then you will probably need a florist to do the flowers you need. Like every other aspect, when buying flowers you have to make sure it's the best you can get for your money. You should put as much effort into finding just the right nursery for you as you would with any other purchase you make There are a few things to keep in mind when you are doing this.

There are some things required that you have to provide for the person doing your flowers, such as what type of flowers you prefer for the occasion. You have to get informed yourself and be specific as to what your needs are and what you expect. There are several ways you can do this by visiting your local flower shop. Look around at the selection available or visit any number of them until you have decided what it is your looking for. Go online and do some research on flowers that may help in your selection.

You have to know what kind of budget you are working with when you do discuss the price with the person you've chosen. Be firm in your bottom line amount. If he/she gives you a quote that is beyond what your budget is, then shop somewhere else. If you have chosen the right person, they should be able to get creative no matter what your budget is.

When dealing with a flower store, it is best to be quite clear on what your needs are and what you expect for the money you will spend. They must know your likes and dislikes to be able to serve you better, and if they suggest something you are not comfortable with then speak up and let them know up front. Give your ideas to the person, but also give him/her room to improve on the ideas without them going to far so that you end up with something you absolutely don't want.

Style is crucial when it comes to choosing someone to arrange the flowers. Each one has their own distinctive style that they usually stick with. This is where you ask for previous pictures of events that they have catered with flowers. This will help give you an idea if this person can meet your needs. It is very important that the person you pick has lots of experience.

For lots of information on finding a florist online and other related topics, visit The Flowers Guide at www.theflowersguide.com