Cocos Island... Green Bouquet Is Seen Far Into The Sea

Cocos Island... Green Bouquet Is Seen Far Into The Sea

 by: Aventuras Elegantes

Cocos Island National Park

Sank in the middle of the infinite Pacific Ocean, we find the Cocos Island. It is one of the protected areas with the greatest diversity in terms of wildlife and one of the best places for Costa Rica Scuba Diving Vacation. It is a huge natural laboratory for scientists and nature lovers. It has 2.400 Ha, with 510 species of sea mollusks, 362 species of insects, 235 species of plants, 200 species of fish, 97 species of birds, 57 species of crustaceans, 3 species of spiders and 2 species of reptiles. In this huge diversity, there are over 130 species of endemic flora and fauna. It is an ideal place for scuba diving, snorkeling, bird watching and wildlife watching.

The trip to Cocos Island is in itself a great adventure. After traveling for over 36 hours on the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, a "green bouquet is seen far into the sea".

Legends say that pirates and corsairs, like William Davies, Benito Bonito and William Thompson, found a safe place to hide their treasures in this Island. For many, Robert Stevenson was inspired on those tales of sailors to write his famous novel the Treasure Island.

Although you will not find golden medals or precious gems, you will find the most valuable treasure of all: The natural richness of flora and fauna.

As soon as you arrive, it is as if time is suddenly going back, as taking a leap to an old world, a place that remains intact through time. Cocos Island is probably one of the places with most endemic flora and fauna in the world.

In just 2.400 hectares, there have always been 139 endemic species in the national park. More than 230 species of plants, out of which 70 are endemic, including the Palo de Hierro (Sacogiottis holdridgei). More than 85 species of birds inhabit the park, but 3 of them can only be seen in Cocos Island National Park: Cuclillo from Cocos Island (Coccyzus ferrugineus); Mosquerito (Nesotriccus ridgwayi) and Pinzon from Cocos Island (Pinaroloxias inomata). Two reptiles joined the selective and exclusive list of species that are unique in the world: Lizard (Norops townsendi) and the Salamander (Sphaerodactuylus pacificus).

If you are already amazed with the natural panorama in land, come on and explore the depths...many more treasures are waiting for you. Scuba Diving at Cocos Island implies a unique experience for any diver as soon as you go down, a world full of life appears before your eyes, thousands of fish swimming around you forming a synchrony of colors, a rainbow in the plenitude of the ocean.you will be hypnotized when your eyes are set of great schools of hammer shark (Sphyna lewini)or when you see the amazing white finned sharks (Triaenodon obesus) swimming very close to you.

Today, as it was for the buccaneers, the only way to get to Cocos is by boat. Divers, who make up the vast majority of visitors, usually arrive on live-aboard dive boats (a 9- or 10-day trip from the port of Puntarenas). If they go ashore, it's usually only to dry out for a spell. But exploring the 14-square-mile, virtually uninhabited island that Jacques Cousteau once called the most beautiful in the world isn't really a hardship. There are other Cocos Islands in the world (near Guam, Australia, and Mauritius to name a few), but there is only one "Shark Island. " That's a good thing, right?

Field Notes

Scuba Diving: As dive site names go, Dirty Rock isn't the most inviting, but this rocky outcropping about a half mile off the north shore of the island has one of the largest hammerhead shark populations in the world, along with giant manta rays. Expect 120-foot-plus visibility. For even more mantas, head to Dampier Head at the southwest corner of the island, where rays with wingspans up to 10 feet seem to like to swim with divers.

Nature, Nature and Nature. A natural laboratory similar in some ways to the Galapagos (which lacks the tropical rainforest here), Cocos is home to an estimated 60 endemic animal species. Bird watchers will note that the rocky islets off the island are prime nesting areas for seabirds, including the red-footed booby, and that three of the island's 70 or so species include three found nowhere else: the Cocos Cuckoo, the Cocos Finch (shades of Darwin!), and the Cocos Flycatcher.

Hiking: For a little legwork between dives, head up 2,092-foot Mount Yglesias, the highest peak on the island. The trail to the summit, one of several on the island, leads through rainforest (and passes the wreck of a B-24 in the jungle), and the view of the Pacific at the top might even make you forget about your swim fins for a while.

For more information, visit http://www.mytraveltocostarica.com/

Aventuras Elegantes is a Costa Rica Travel Expert. Visit http://www.mytraveltocostarica.com/ info@mytraveltocostarica.com

 

Cleaning Silk Bouquets In 3 Simple Steps

A Silk bouquet can last a lot longer than a bouquet made of real flowers, but it will still droop, and get dusty, over time. Fortunately a little bit of preventive care can go a long way towards keeping your bouquet looking like new.

A Silk bouquet can last a lot longer than a bouquet made of real flowers, but it will still droop, and get dusty, over time. Fortunately a little bit of preventive care can go a long way towards keeping your bouquet looking like new.

It doesn't take long either. 5 minutes spent caring for your bouquet every 3-6 months will keep your bouquet looking as good as it did they day you bought it.

Read on to discover the 3 simple steps to keeping your silk bouquet in pristine condition. You'll also discover the one thing you should NEVER do to clean your bouquet. Make this mistake, and you might ruin your bouquet forever!

Step 1: Rice Cleaning

Place your bouquet in a plastic shopping bag, along with half a cup of white rice. Twist the bag closed, and then shake the bag for about 60 seconds.

The rice in the plastic bag will get statically charged, and the dust will be attracted to the rice. In the past, people used salt instead of rice, but salt was found to be too hard, and would scratch the flowers. White rice is softer, so it won't damage the flowers at all.

Step 2: Fluffing

Once you have cleaned your silk flowers, hold the bouquet by the handle and then turn it upside down and give it two or three good hard shakes, dropping the rice back into the bag. This should loosen any rice caught in the flowers and also clear away any left over dust. It will also "fluff" the flowers, and give them back their original shape.

Step 3: Plumping And Teasing

After fluffing the bouquet, it is time to make sure all the flowers are in the right position. Using the back of your hand, go around the back of the bouquet and lightly push the flowers back into position, to "plump up" the bouquet. Once you are happy with the general shape, then tease the flowers into the correct position by lightly pulling and pushing on the individual flowers and petals until they are correctly placed.

That's it! Simple, wasn't it? Now, you may have read that you can lightly spray your bouquet with soapy water to get it clean. Regardless of what you may have read, don't ever do this! Never spray your bouquet with water because the wet dust will run and stain your flowers. And stained flowers do NOT look right!

If you follow these simple steps every 3-6 months, your bouquet will stay beautiful, and will be around long enough for future generations to enjoy.

Peta D'Silva 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 you can buy, as well as easy-to-understand articles about creating your own silk bouquets.

Valentine Chocolate Kiss Bouquet

Chocolate is a very popular gift for Valentines Day. Many gift boutiques and flower shops offer beautiful candy bouquets that make a wonderful surprise for any Valentine. However, these arrangements can be quit costly. The good news is that these arrangements arent that difficult to make. Try making this homemade rendition that is sure to make your Valentine feel very special.

Supplies:

~ One terra cotta pot 5 to 6 inches in diameter ~ A piece of Styrofoam or oasis (green florist foam) that fits snuggly into the pot ~ Red and Silver (metallic) acrylic paints ~ Foam paint applicator ~ Red and Silver Hershey Kisses ~ Iridescent cellophane wrapping paper ~ Long bamboo skewers ~ Green floral tape ~ Silk rose leaves (optional) ~ Long-stemmed red silk roses (optional) ~ Dried babies breath ~ Red bow ~ Red or pink tissue paper

Directions for the pot:

Paint the pot red and allow it to dry thoroughly. It may take two coats of red paint. Using the metallic silver paint, decorate the pot rim with a scroll design or small flowers. Paint the body of the pot with hearts. Allow to dry thoroughly. If desired, you can use a clear, protective coating to protect the decorative finish. The pot can be used later for holding a candle or individually wrapped candy. For additional ideas on how to decorate your pot, take a look at this web page: http://www.patriciaspots.com/valentineideas.htm.

Cut the Styrofoam or oasis and fit it snuggly in the pot. Crumple some red tissue and glue it on top to hide the Styrofoam.

Directions for making the rose buds:

1. Cut a four-inch square of cellophane. Holding a piece of cellophane in your left hand, place the tip of one of the red wrapped kisses in the center of the square. Add the other red kiss to the bottom of the first kiss (flat side to flat side) and wrap the cellophane around both pieces, gathering the corners together around the tip of the other kiss.

2. Insert the flat end of a skewer into the gathered cellophane until it meets the tip of the Hershey's Kiss. Wrap the gathered corners together as tightly as you can without breaking the cellophane.

3. Tape the "rosebud" onto the skewer with the floral tape. Continue taping down the length of the skewer, leaving about 1/4 inch up from the point uncovered.

4. Optional: Tape the silk rose leaves onto the stem.

5. Poke the sharp end of the "rosebud" into the Styrofoam filled pot and arrange your roses to look like a bouquet.

Continue making rose buds in silver and red until you have a dozen.

6. Fill in the gaps with silk red roses (optional) and babies breath.

7. Attach the red bow at the base of the arrangement. Wrap the entire arrangement in more iridescent cellophane. Don't forget a card with the following statement: "Roses are red and violets are blue. These are just a few of the 'Kisses' in store for you! Happy Valentine Day to my Best Friend."

Martha Matthews is the Editor of Christian-Homemaking.com, a web site with resources dedicated to Christian homemaking. In addition to her web site, she also has a popular free monthly newsletter for Christian wives called The Wives of Excellence Newsletter. To subscribe send a blank email to wivesofexcellence-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Or visit our web site at http://www.christian-homemaking.com/newsletter.html

Choosing your Wedding Bouquet

Dont know a Rose from a Rhododendron?



Every bride needs a bouquet fact. Not every bride is interested in flowers, their delicate formation, what part of the world they originate, just how much is this going to cost me?

Irrespective of your interest or lack of in your bouquet, it has to be colour co-ordinated with the bridal party. Every bridesmaid will need a bouquet, obviously smaller than the brides, bouquet or hand held posies for the flowers girls, button holes for the Dads, Grooms, Best Men and Pageboy. Stick to the following guidelines and (hopefully!) you wont go too far wrong.

What time of the year are you getting married?

This will determine what selection of flowers will be available to you If you want a specific flower that may be out of season, a reputable florist will be able to order it in for you but be ready to pay the price.

Do you have a favourite flower?

If so, incorporate it in your bouquet as the main flower with possibly only some greenery or babys breath added to pad out the bouquet.

What height are you?

You may ask what bearing this has on your bouquet!! If you are small in stature you do not want a large (wide) bouquet as it will only dwarf you. Select instead a long and narrow bouquet which will give you height. On the flip side, if you are a tall bride, you can opt for a larger bouquet but remember these bouquets can be heavy to hold.

If you see a bouquet that you like in either a magazine or on a website, keep a copy and bring it to your florist to give them an idea as what style you have in mind. It will make it easier on you both in the long run.

If you are decorating the venue of the wedding ceremony, remember less is more. An elaborate stand or two at the top is sufficient. If you wish to bring these floral arrangements to the reception, please give sufficient thought as to how (realistically) portable they are. Only give this job to someone you trust (speaking from experience here!)


Ensure that you get a quote in writing from your florist breaking down the costs so there wont be any hidden or surprise charges.


Flowers really do enhance a venue albeit church, reception room, wherever, so do put some thought into it.

Ideally, try and see your venue set up for another wedding. Take note of what they have done with the room and specifically where they placed the floral arrangements. If nothing else, it may give you some ideas of your own.


Colette O'Loughlin, Editor of Simply Weddings - Ireland's Premier Weddings Website. Truly taking the stress out of saying "I Do"


 

Wedding Bouquets for Life

One of the most beautiful of the bride's adornments at a wedding is the bouquet. Normally constructed of fresh flowers, the wedding bouquet would last for a week or two, and then have to be dried or tossed. Today that is not the case; today's modern bride has options that are more permanent.

There are various bridal books, magazines and shops to help you choose the perfect style and color. The arrangement you select should be a reflection of your personality and/or the color scheme of your wedding.

A growing popularity in wedding flowers is silk flowers. Silk flowers are non-allergenic, will never wilt and can be kept as a remembrance of your special day for years to come. Another advantage over silk flowers is their cost and durability.

Another option for the wedding bouquets is stunning handmade porcelain flowers. Porcelain and silk flowers are available in traditional styles. With a seemingly unlimited array of colors, these amazing creations last a lifetime. Many come with a display stand included in the purchase price, so your wedding bouquet now has become an exquisite family heirloom.

As you plan your special day, consider the option of a porcelain handmade bouquet. The cost is a bit higher, yet the memories of your ceremony will be with you forever. In addition, your wedding bouquet will be with you as well, a permanent reminder of your love for each other.

David Chandler For more information, visit these sites: http://www.WeddingFlowersInfo.com http://www.WeddingPlanningInfoCenter.com http://www.WeddingReceptionInfo.com

How To Select An Appropriate Funeral Floral Arrangement

Traditional arrangements are usually found in the form of flowers and presented as a comfort to a grief-stricken family during a funeral. A floral tribute could be just the right choice whether it is a traditional burial or a non traditional burial; either way these floral arrangements help you express your sympathy. Flowers express feelings that often go unsaid or unseen; there are just so many words you can say to a person who has lost a loved one expressing your feelings with a floral arrangement is just fine.

You may purchase flowers for your flower arrangement in bulk; with so many lush colors to choose from, the arrangement can be exquisite. Having real flowers or dried flowers in your floral arrangement is a big decision; a person should only choose dried flowers if they are really understand that style. Flowers express shops can be found in a lot of cities; these shops are helpful when you are trying to get flowers in a hurry. Having real flowers in your floral arrangement is very nice, however do not expect the arrangement to last for more than a week. Ask your florist for certain varieties that open nicely; flowers with large heads and a lot of petals always look good in a floral arrangement.

There are several steps you may take to combat the rising cost of floral arrangements, but the first one is to compare before you buy. Flowers express shops do have florist who know what they are doing, therefore it is okay to stop at one of these quick shops to buy your quick floral arrangements. Dried flowers in glass domes that are designed very nicely help bring out the beauty in the dried floral arrangement. Traditional arrangements may occasionally feature roses, carnations, irises, and daisies, but there is a whole world of exotic flowers used in floral arrangements as well.

There are many places you can go to have a floral arrangement made for you besides the traditional grocery store flower shop. The various styles of japanese floral art can be found in several eastern floral arrangements available from ordering online. To make a profit from making floral arrangements is not a simple task; you must have skills that will bring your customers back for more. Having real flowers as opposed to having silk flowers in your floral arrangement is not always a good choice to make; silk flowers will out last real flowers. Flowers express shops will not have a big selection of flowers to choose from, therefore you will have to choose from what they have if you are in a hurry.

Still looking for funeral floral arrangement information? Try visiting http://www.type-of-flower-arrangement.info, a website that specalizes in providing floral arrangement advice, tips,resources and information on how to buy flower arrangements!

Floral Design Schools

Flower arrangement is an art and if backed by creativity, it appeals to all. Floral decorations are used for every occasion. It could be a wedding, party, birthday, of funeral. The art of floral designing is unique since not everyone is equipped to make different flowers look presentable in combinations. The combination of flowers and other decorations needs planning and concentration. The art of arranging flowers is very old and has its roots in the ancient Egyptian period.

The most popular floral designs are referred to as Ikebana, the Oriental style. There are many floral designers who create these designs by combining dried herbs and flowers. Floral designing is an art that also includes the making of wreaths, flower bows and garlands.

There are various schools that encourage floral designing as a career option. The school prospectus, details on the duration of the course, the location of the schools, the fee structure and the admission procedure, is made available online.

The educational qualification required to get admission in a floral design school is a high school certification. A formal training is given to the students to excel in the art. The floral design training schools teach the candidates how to trim flowers and arrange bouquets, wreaths, gardens and hand- sprays. The students also learn how to arrange and cut dried, fresh and artificial flowers and shape them, according to the customer's order.

The customers choose the time, place, day, price and the flowers. Floral design schools train the aspiring designers to take orders from customers and deliver the order to the specified place. The duties carried out by the floral designers are numerous. The floral design schools are like finishing schools that provide detailed information involved in the option and train the candidates in a way that they are benefited.

Design Schools provides detailed information on Design Schools, Fashion Design Schools, Interior Design Schools, Graphic Design Schools and more. Design Schools is affiliated with Top Photography Schools.

Funeral Flowers-A Guide to Sending Sympathy Floral Arrangements

The death of my father was probably the most painful experiences I ever had. Despite death being a natural part of life, most people, like me, still have difficulties getting thru this experience.

So how exactly do we alleviate the sorrow that the bereaved is experiencing?

It is traditional to have flowers sent to the church or funeral parlor by relatives and friends. But giving the florist a call, ordering some flowers, and getting them delivered is not quite enough. Some decorum needs to be followed regarding this tradition.

Sending the Flowers to the Proper Places

The recovery process of the mourning family is made faster because of the different ceremonies organized during the grieving process. Visitations and viewings are held to welcome everyone who wants to pay their respects to the family. Funeral flowers may be delivered to the home, parlor, or place of worship where such ceremonies are held. If no such services are held, flowers may be delivered directly to the residence of the deceased.

Prior to the initial visit to the parlor or church, funeral flower planning should be organized by a close family member. Funeral directors often allow flowers to be delivered a day before the wake. But most people choose to send them on the morning of the ceremony. However, if the delivery can not be made in time, the florals can be sent to the home of the deceased.

What Kind of Sympathy Flower Arrangement to Send

The spouse of the departed usually chooses a Bleeding Heart, while other types of floral sympathy sprays may be delivered by relatives and associates.

The immediate family of the deceased can order the sympathy casket wreaths or casket covers.

But different floral arrangements like crosses, wreaths, and sprays may be requested by anybody who would like to extend their condolences to the family of the deceased.

Numerous arrangements of funeral flowers that are even more personalized are now offered for these occasions.

• Normally comprised of roses or sometimes calla lilies, casket arrangements are top choices of friends and relatives.
• For a beautiful display at the wake, funeral flower baskets are the ones usually ordered.
• Sympathy sprays are popular with groups where the deceased is a member of.
• An organization of the family of the deceased can send floral wreaths.
• One may also choose to send vase arrangements to the family or close friends of the deceased.

Note, however, that often after the funeral service the grieving family needs the most comforting. Sending flowers, a gift basket, or a simple note of "Know that I will be here if you need me" even weeks after the death is a beautiful act of compassion.

Sending flowers for the loss of a friend or relative's loved one is never easy. Often times, people are confused by which funeral flowers would be appropriate to send. In order to alleviate some of the stress of this decision for you, here are some traditional sympathy flowers, plants, and messages for sympathy cards to help you out.

Aurelia Fleur is an aspiring writer who recently experienced the death of her father and had a wonderful buying experience with http://www.Order-Flowers-Delivery.com

The Beauty Of Floral Design

Floral design is one of the best jobs or hobbies in the world because you can really pour yourself into it. Every piece can be a bit different than the last and can be inspired by the way you are feeling, a memory, a person in your life, or the client you are arranging for. Flowers allow people to pour all of their emotions into them and create beautiful things. If you are so inclined, you can make flowers your hobby or you can even make flowers your career. There is a lot of money as well as a lot of joy to be found in such a career, but to continue to do well you have to dig deep for continued creativity, originality, and inspiration.

Many who get into the floral design field believe that their current design trends will see them though decades of business, but this may not be true. If you get into the business you need to continue to be open to new things. The reason for this is that if you want to attract new clients as well as younger clients and you need to change up your designs from time to time and offer new things. If you always offer the same thing, you will find that some of your clients get tired of the same old design or you may have trouble attracting new clients. It is important to stay abreast of what is new and popular in the floral world, even if you do not incorporate all of the contemporary designs into your own.

Florists can continue to learn by buying new books, attending classes and seminars, receiving newsletters, and subscribing to magazines. All of these mediums will offer even the most experienced florists some new tips and techniques that will allow them to modernize their designs, make difficult designs easier to create, or simply inspire new techniques. There are always new and exciting things that can be done with flowers, but if you are never introduced to the information, you cannot incorporate the information into your designs.

If you want to continue to offer cutting edge designs to your clients you can, no matter how long you have been in the business. Just because you got into floral design 50 years ago doesn?t mean your arrangements need to look like they are 50 years old. If you have an eye for beauty, you can create some very contemporary yet beautiful pieces. You may also be surprised to see that what was once popular is becoming popular again, so you can call on old skills as well as mix in some new skills for some really interesting pieces. The more you learn, the more artistic your arrangements can be, and your clients will appreciate that.

Floral design is a very artistic and rewarding career and florists can choose to be as contemporary as they want to be. If you want not only to understand contemporary design, but other designs as well, you may want to check out the http://www.floraldesignmagazine.com website. You can subscribe to the magazine and have creativity and inspiration delivered to you monthly, and it is all great and useful information. Any florist who is looking for fun, creative, new ideas should check out this opportunity.

Floral Design Magazine is an online publication specializing in floral design for florists, flower arrangers and floral designers.

Floral Art Tapestries In The Modern Home

If you are interested in adding an elegant touch to your home d?cor without losing your contemporary edge, you might want to consider decorating your walls with floral tapestries. These classic works of art use various plants and flower arrangements to convey a timeless serenity, while at the same time allowing one the flexibility of incorporating modern accents into a design theme.

The right still life tapestry can blend seamlessly with a room?s furniture and accessories (such as lamps and other lighting fixtures), while at the same time providing the perfect visual enhancement to offset contemporary surroundings. Floral tapestries have a way of establishing a sense of balance in a room, perhaps because they remind us of an inherent need to be grounded in the natural and organic.

Why Are Flowers Contemporary?

At first glance, it?s easy to understand why some floral tapestries may almost seem unsuitable for the modern home. After all, many elaborate original tapestries were woven in centuries past and now reside in historical European museums. Cultures all over the world have embraced floral still life art for centuries in different ways, for different reasons.

But one could also argue that it is precisely this diversity of appreciation that has lent itself well to contemporary applications. Keep in mind that modern interior design tends to focus on creating space and light. If you choose a floral tapestry with bright and natural colors, the openness of the contemporary theme is highlighted.

Another way to understand the appeal of floral still life in contemporary culture is to understand the complex philosophical and sociological issues the modern world faces. For many, a floral tapestry can offer a metaphorical glimpse into the human condition. Flowers are often viewed as representing an inescapable frailty, while simultaneously providing a sense of hope and optimism.

A Wide Assortment of Choices

Incorporating floral still life tapestries into your contemporary design theme does not mean that you have to sacrifice individuality when developing a modern feel. In fact, quite the opposite is true.

The open, airy nature of many modern and post-modern themes means that the tapestry you choose can reflect whatever you want it to reflect. There are so many combinations and choices available on the market that you should have no problem finding a piece that not only encompasses your personality and individual style, but also retains the spacious, open characteristics of contemporary design.

The Ivy Column

Consider a portrait such as the Ivy Column tapestry, which combines all the significant elements of contemporary design into a vivid display of ambient surrealism. Sunlight shines on a country house with a stunning array of colorful foliage surrounding it.

The inclusion of the pond in this portrait only further solidifies the sense that all forms of nature are represented in the piece. In essence, this piece has it all ? that is, something for everyone.

Complexity in Openness

A range of complex personalities can be accurately represented in pieces such as the Ivory Mural tapestry, the Floral Decadence tapestry, and the classic Directoire tapestries. These remarkable works of art manage to capture the bright, cheerful colors associated with many contemporary designs, yet the intricate floral patterns and organic settings are likely to inspire and challenge the thinking person?s awareness for years to come.

Beauty in Simplicity

On the other hand, some people believe less is more ? an equally valid assertion in modern design preferences. The Prestige (Dawn) tapestry and the Prestige (Midday) tapestry are both perfect examples of how the focus on a simple tree can speak volumes.

These tapestry portraits allow the imagination to run wild in the fantasy world depicted by the artists who developed them. The natural landscapes depicted in these pieces exist nowhere in the actual world, yet it is not at all difficult to image that they could. The viewer is drawn in to the simplicity of a single tree, yet the artist manages to capture other faint still life images of birds and plant life in the background. The approach is both subtle and effective.

Combining the Simple and the Complex

Perhaps among the most effective representations in floral tapestries are those which draw upon all of the elements we have discussed. For example, the Classical Rose tapestry is conceptually straightforward ? in essence, a vase of roses. Upon deeper examination, however, it becomes clear that the artist?s use of light and choice of background provide a depth and clarity to the piece that touches the soul on a much more substantive level.

Modern D?cor and Floral Tapestries

The elegant yet uncomplicated concept of a flower arrangement has been the motif of many still life artists throughout time. These works have been faithfully reproduced in the tapestry world, and they represent an incredible assortment of selections one can employ when developing a contemporary design theme. Floral still life tapestries can contribute to the bright and spacious nature of modern design, while at the same time providing viewers with an intriguing experience that requires an intensity of concentration to fully comprehend and appreciate.

David Burr writes on a number of subjects for the Tapestry House including floral art

Beautiful Blooms - A Bride's Guide to Floral Planning

One of the major aspects of planning for your wedding stems from your floral considerations. For a bride, there are many various things to think about when plotting your bridal blooms.

Most brides first think of their wedding bouquet. This is a treasured design that can either be made with fresh flowers or false ones. Bridal bouquets can range from simple and elegant to extravagant and amazing.

As a bride, you may want to choose a theme for your nuptials. Many have more than one type of flower - others pick between romantic roses, calla lilies, gerbera daisies, forget-me-nots, and lily of the valleys.

A bride's bouquet can either be made from a single type of flower of from a variation of many flowers. In ancient times, brides carried herbs and spices to ward off evil spirits and give them a start in their married life based on good fortune and happiness.

Romans and other cultures used flowers during the wedding ceremony for fertility symbolism. In modern times, people send flowers as a way of saying "I love you," "Thank you," or some other form of happy wishes.

Aside from the bridal bouquet, a groom will need a boutonni?re - which is a small flower worn on his tuxedo. This custom originated from medieval days when men wore the colors of their women as a sign of love and admiration.

Some brides choose their bridal blooms, not based on color or personal tastes, but on the meaning behind the flowers.

Regardless of how you choose your flowers, you'll want to plan for them based around the season your blooms are available. Does it coincide with your coming nuptials, or will you be paying twice as much just to get out of season flowers?

Here are some of the most popular floral choices, along with their meaning and seasonal availability:

* Red roses mean love and are available year-round. * White roses represent unity and are also available all year. * Calla Lilies equate beauty and are easily found March-September. * Lily of the Valley means happiness and is also found March-September. * Orchids stand for love and beauty and are yearly blooms.

Before you choose a flower, find a nearby floral vendor and visit their shop to see what kinds of blooms they've arranged. Good flower vendors should have a book for you to peruse to see previous arrangements they've created.

When you finally settle on a type of flower for your bouquet, you'll also need to choose flowers for the other members of your bridal list - including the bridesmaids and groomsmen, ushers, ring bearer, male and female family members in attendance, and petals for the flower girl to distribute.

You'll also have to choose floral arrangements for the d?cor of the location for your ceremony and reception, including the aisles, altars, tables, and traditions such as the tossing of the bouquet (you'll want a mini-bouquet so that you can keep your real one as a keepsake).

As you'll find when searching for flowers to decorate your special day, some options will be affordable while others may be out of your budget. Be sure to ask your florist about alternate flowers that are equally as beautiful, but less expensive if you have your heart set on something outside of your financial realm.

Sharon Vaz is offering A Bride's Guide to Stress Free Wedding Planning, a Free wedding planning course at http://www.mystylewedding.com.my/signup.php

The Internet And The Local Florist

Here we are in the doldrums of summer. June has passed, Bridezilla is on her honeymoon, and all the hard work we put into the weddings of that month are but a memory. Wouldn't it be nice if the flow of business wouldn?t slow down quite so much when the electric bill is at its highest? I am here to proclaim that I have found a solution and it came from the most unlikely source.

My name is Jill Frost, and I am the owner of the Pink Pelican - Sebastian Florist in Sebastian Florida. Having begun my experience as a designer over 25 years ago, and having owned my business for the past 19 years I have experienced the ups and downs of any small-town local florist. Let me start by saying I am currently a member of the Teleflora wire service, and use a number of their products as the backbone of my business. I have a point-of sale system, an accountant, and I actually balance my statement almost every month. Those of you laughing at this are either not florists, or you are florists, but know exactly what I?m referring to (you know who you are).

The point of this article is to attest to the fact that the real turnaround in my business began when I built my website two years ago. Presently, my website is generating over forty percent of my volume and has become an invaluable asset to every part of my business.

The first thing a florist must do when getting a website is to see it as an integral part of their business. Usually, florists are completely creative creatures and understand little of technology, the internet, and (sadly) most basic business practices. The typical florist that does go so far as actually getting a website then often sits on them as though they were simply a piece of furniture in the shop that someone might come along and be interested in, but that would never see the slightest bit of advertisement. This is mistake number one.

To begin you road to online success, the first thing you must do is to actually subscribe to an Internet Service Provider (an ?ISP") so you can see your site. Since you are reading this online, I assume you have done that. Next, you must visit your website at times beyond just when it causes you a problem. I know of florists who have had a website for months and even years without once checking to see that the prices are correct. Of course, they are the ones bemoaning the success others are having on the internet and wondering why they never see an order from it.

The next step is to get involved in the website itself. I use a combination of Teleflora products and my own custom designs. This meant getting images taken of my custom products and requesting images of my drop-ship items from my fulfillment companies. You then have to get them added to the site. If you are lucky enough to be in Teleflora like me, the amazing Webmasters at Teleflora Web Services will do all the hard work for you. All you have to do is get the photos to them. If you would like to see examples of this, just go to www.sebastianflorist.com and peruse my website.

For a website in this industry to be successful, one must promote the site like promoting a new business line, or even a new shop. It must be included in all signage including delivery vans and street signs, must be included in all advertising and phone-book ads, and must be advertised every time the telephone is answered. You must then purchase ads in all available online directories. I am in Find-a Florist, Locate-a-Flowershop, and a few others. These typically run between $100.00 to $300.00 dollars per year. It is my advice to avoid pay-per-click search engine advertising at this point as there is a very serious learning curve involved with this, and is not for the inexperienced or those with a limited advertising budget. More can be done through the use of directories and local promotion that you can imagine.

If you will follow my advice on this, with just a little luck and that dogged persistence that I know you have, you too can be successful when the rest are just praying to make it to the fall. I will continue this in my next article titled Floral Internet Success 201 advanced website success. Until then, if you have questions, you can email me at justjill73099@hotmail.com
TaTaaaa!!!

Jill

The Pink Pelican and Sebastian Florist is a family owned business serving Indian River and South Brevard counties for over 16 years. We give our customers the highest quality in customer service and designs.

Jill Frost, Owner of the Pink Pelican Florist has over 25 years of floral design experience, making her one of the most qualified and consistently creative florists on the Florida Treasure Coast. She is also the proud mother of two grown children, and previously spent nearly 10 years volunteering with the Sebastian Panthers football organization, eventually being voted President of Football Operations, and later nominated Sebastian Florida-Woman of the
Year.

We specialize in custom one-of-a-kind floral arrangements. With over 30 years of combined experience, we have achieved many honors in the floral industry such as winning the Ft Lauderdale Florida-Designer of the Year award; working with M.T.V. on two Super Bowl VIP parties; and providing flowers for the Royal Prince Charles.

Online Florist Versus Florist Shop

A florist is a person designing flower arrangements and selling them. The florist takes care of flower arrangements, which is an art of making bouquets, composition of ornamental grass, herbs, foliages and flowers resulting in a beautiful design.

Nowadays there are numerous online florists in the internet. There are disadvantages and advantages in going directly to a local florist than to the online florist.

Spending a few dollars less getting a flower arrangement comparable to the internet florist is possible. A local florist will give a more personalized service. Whereas an Internet florist having an international or national network will provide a service that is more reliable, and placing the order is faster and easier.

A local florist will have a real inventory, which will be shown physically to the customer along with their real prices. Since each affiliated florist is owned and operated independently, the Internet sites can only make a guess of available designs and their exact cost.

The Internet online florists charge a fee to process each order and subsequently pass the order to a real florist to execute it.

The actual florist supplying and delivering the flowers gets only a percentage of what is actually paid by the customer and the real value of the order gets decreased in each stage of the processing. While a customer pays USD 60 for the order, the value of the flowers delivered will be worth somewhere around USD 45 only.

Of late, call centers are handling the order placed through an online florist network. They lack real knowledge about flowers and their arrangements. Their information is confined to few pictures and scant details. A call direct to the real florist eliminates the usual occurrences of misunderstandings and mistakes. Every detail of the requirement can be discussed to the utmost satisfaction. For more info visit http://www.florista.info

Florists are persons working with flowers, at a retail level generally. The flower-only shops include online stores, telephone orders, sales, and a florist shop. Garden supply stores and supermarkets are also functioning as a retail florist. Among their large product range, flowers are also included now.

Since 1998, there is a decline of more than twenty percent in independently owned traditional flower shops or florists in North America due to the advent of the World Wide Web and Internet marketing. Floral wire services and online flower delivery ordering are replacing the mortar and brick retail arrangements of a florist.

A large collection of flowers is stocked in a florist shop. They usually spill out in to street or a display will be made using large plate glass windows. To keep the flowers fresh, they will be kept in water using plastic bulbs, containers and sleeves.

Knowledge in complicated arrangements of flowers along with know-how on forming bouquets and wreaths is very important for a florist. Besides stocking the different flowers available in the season locally, florists also import blossoms from various cities and towns of the globe. The most common varieties stocked by florist include lilies, irises, tulips and roses.

Lucy Bartlett is a proud contributing author. For more info visit Florist or Online Florists.

Choosing a Wedding Florist: A Difficult but Important Decision

As wedding season is fast approaching, many soon-to-be brides are scurrying to make last minute decisions regarding cakes, location, guest lists, and most importantly flowers. Deciding what wedding florist to use often is the most difficult floral decision a bride has to make. Many brides choose to design their own wedding flowers, but this can cause undo stress as the day approaches. A good florist will be able to provide remarkable arrangements that set the mood for the ceremony and reception.

Why choose anyone but the best for your special event? Flowers are a central piece of any wedding. They can provide beautiful focal points and add fragrant aromas in the air. Many times florists will design bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, reception décor, centerpieces, and fresh flower cake decorations. With the abundant use of flowers throughout the ceremony and reception it is crucial to exercise caution to choose a competent, creative, and customer oriented florist.

Before beginning the interview process, brides and grooms need to decide the following:

 

1. The date and time of your wedding
2. Ceremony and reception locations
3. Wedding colors
4. Will your wedding be formal or casual?
5. How many bridesmaids/groomsmen will be involved?
6. What is the overall theme of the wedding?

After these questions have been addressed, interview at least three florists before making any decisions. The process can seem overwhelming and many brides aren’t sure what questions to ask. Listed below are a few simple questions that you can ask each florist to make sure that you choose the perfect person for your special day.

1. Ask for references from family and friends. If they don’t have any, ask florists to provide names and phone numbers of a few references. If they refuse, keep shopping
2. Look at pictures of previous work to see if their style matches yours. Ask to make sure it is recent work.
3. How long have they been in business and do they work full or part-time.
4. How many weddings would they provide service for on the same day or weekend as your event?
5. Will the florist deliver and set-up all floral arrangements at the ceremony and reception site? What time will they arrive to set-up?
6. After the event, do you also provide service to break down all arrangements?
7. Does the florist offer other rental equipment including candelabras, vases, plants, urns, archways, etc?
8. Can the florist preserve your bouquet after the wedding? If not, do they have any referrals for that service?
9. Is there a deposit required? If so, how much and when is the balance due?
10. What is your refund/cancellation policy?
11. Before you leave make sure the florist has addressed all concerns and questions you have.

Remember this is YOUR special day and you should not feel rushed or pressured to make a decision. Choosing the right florist is very important. Carefully review all your options before making your final decision. By taking this extra time, you will receive the most beautiful flowers and décor for your wedding day.

Camber Clenney is a technical writer with expertise in several fields. Her topics of interest include weddings, website design and development, fishing, camping, and investment. For more information visit http://www.tiptonhurst.com