Seeing the need for more structure in my floral arrangements, I began experimenting with floral oasis.
This is Part II of Amateur Pursuits in Floral Design (here is Part I).
I discovered the difference between wet and dry oasis after a very aggravating attempt to make the dry absorb water. (Well, it doesn't.) I was gradually being schooled in the fundamentals of floral design.
After reading Marie-Jacqueline's great post on Altar Flowers I was inspired to upgrade my vases. The glass vases often looked tacky and unworthy on the altar- much like a glass goblet being used for a chalice (yes, I have seen this horror).
Father directed me to a few brass-dipped vases in the sacristy that I attempted, in vain, to restore to their former lustre.
Flop #1: Brass Behavior
After Brasso-ing the old sacristy vases, I made these arrangements using blue hydrangeas and crocosmia.
Problems: the flowers were too dark, causing them to disappear from the back pew, and the vases were too brassy. As a result the only thing visible was the vase.
I also learned why sword fern is not used in professional floral arrangements- it leaves a stubborn orange dust behind where'er it goes! Beware.
Flop #2: Laughing Stock
After watching a Michael Gaffney video featuring the SF flower market and feeling very inspired, I decided to use stock in the arrangements for the Feast of the Assumption.
First problem: don't set your heart on flowers unless you are certain they will be available and fresh. The stock was tired and squashed.
Second problem: the vases again. These two smaller vases were originally dipped in brass but are now irreparable and ready for retirement. After making these four arrangements, I determined that it was time to shop for vases specifically for the traditional altar.
Flop #3: Gladiolus Gone-Wrong
After and exhaustive and unsuccessful online search for affordable altar vases, I came across a website that had similar looking vases that were very inexpensive. For a set of trial vases I felt this was a good choice. I purchased four: two for lesser feasts and four for greater.
As my garden flower selection wanes in the fall, I began purchasing flowers at the store.
The Costco baby's-breath was so fresh and the Safeway gladiolus so perfect that I impulsively bought both, without any thought about the quantity of stems.
Problem: Five stems of gladiolus make two awkward "V" arrangements with one lonely stem to spare. While at the same time, the irresistible Costco-size baby's-breath was an excessive amount for two vases.
A case of too little and too much. However, I will try again with the gladiolus this summer and I do like the purchased vases!
I'm sitting here grinning. I know a lot about flops! Your first one with the blue hydrangeas and too-bright brass is a great illustration about what doesn't work even though the blooms are lovely. When I've tried to get readers to post their pictures to my blog in the past, no one actually offered any until you came along. I figured they were afraid their arrangements weren't good enough. I like that you are sharing both your masterpieces and your flops. It might help some volunteer arrangers to overcome their timidity. Keep up the good work!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you approve and thanks for grinning along! It is a learning process!
DeleteDid you do a site map for your blog with Google yet? Again I can't remember the details but you can Google it. It will help bring up your blog on search engines.
ReplyDeleteI have not, this is very helpful information! Will look into it. Thanks so much.
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