Download Arranging Permanent Flowers

Arranging
Permanent
Flowers
Variety
• quality and variety of
permanent flowers is
continually improving
• requested frequently by
customers
Permanent
Flowers
• silk
• paper
• dried and or preserved
Design principles
• that guide fresh flower
arrangement also apply
to permanent flowers
• mechanics involved in
arranging permanents
are different
Permanent
flowers
• easier to arrange
• are not perishable
• may be manipulated and
mechanically secured
without concern for
wilting
Silk
• applies to a wide variety
of fabric flowers which
are sold to florists
• silk, nylon, cotton, rayon
and blends are
commonly used
Silk
• great variability in the
grades of fabric used
• resulting in a variety of
quality and prices levels
Silk
• available in two basic
types
• molded, plastic stemmed
• hand-wrapped
Molded
• usually made of polyester
• heat molded in a die form
to create the petals
• placed on a stem made of
wire covered with plastic
Molded
• usually less expensive
than hand-wrapped silks
Hand-wrapped
• usually produced with
multiple flowers on a
single stem
• bushes and bouquets
are frequently made with
this type of silk flowers
Hand-wrapped
• petals are usually cut
with a stamp
• then attached to wire and
positioned to create the
flower
Hand-wrapped
• then secured to a wire
stem which is hand
wrapped with floral tape
• flowers may be hand
painted or dyed
Hand-wrapped
• process makes the
flowers look real
• more expensive because
of the labor required
• usually sold individually
Paper
• created from rice paper,
parchment, and bark fiber
paper
• formed in the flower shape
and most are available with
wired petals and leaves
Paper
• flowers and leaves are
attached to a main stem
• wrapped with paper or
floral tape
Paper
• may be pre-dyed before
being formed into flowers
or air brushed after the
flower has been formed
Paper
• more expensive that
molded, plastic-stemmed
flowers because of the
amount of labor required
to produce them.
Dried and
Preserved
• in great demand for
arrangements in the
home
• frequently used for wall
hangings and for
decorating wreaths
Dried and
Preserved
• can also be combined
with silk to create
attractive arrangements
Freeze Drying
• have all the moisture
mechanically removed
from their cells
• flowers retain some
suppleness to their
texture
Freeze Drying
• equipment is expensive
• cost is higher than
flowers dried by other
methods
Mechanics
• similar to those for fresh
flowers
• precautions against
wilting are not necessary
Mechanics
• dry foam made
especially for dried
materials is used to
support the stems
• two types of foam
available
Mechanics
• one for delicate materials
• other for larger, sturdy
stems
• styrofoam may also be
used
Mechanics
• delicate stemmed
flowers are placed on a
wooden or steel pick
before being inserted
into styrofoam
Mechanics
• dry foam is easily
wedged into containers
without additional
support
• may also be attached
with hot glue
Mechanics
• foam is hidden by
covering it with sheet
moss or Spanish moss
• prevents foam from
being visible in the
arrangement
Mechanics
• moss is held in place with
pins, similar to hairpins
• flowers may be glued in
place, prevents flowers
from turning or slipping out
of the foam
Mechanics
• dipping stems in pan
glue before inserting is
the easiest method