Artistic Flower Arrangements

The principles of flower arranging are very helpful because they help you to pay attention to small details when arranging flowers, and help to achieve an overall effect that is  professional looking and visually appealing. One of these basic principles of flower arranging is unity. Unity helps you look at your floral arrangement both its separate elements, and as a unified whole.  In addition, the purpose of this principle is that when viewed, your floral arrangement will be a complete whole with all the parts of the arrangement, the flowers, accents, container, etc., blending together.

When following the principle of unity, the trick is to start at the very beginning and select the materials like your flowers,  container,  foliage,  stems, ribbons, etc.,  so that they match. Hence, when attempting to unify all your elements, you need to keep in mind the color, shape and size of everything. For example, if you want to have a flower arrangement with orchids as the focus, try to select the container and the other elements that will accentuate and bring focus on rich purple color of the orchids. This can be achieved by selecting a container that is also purple, or in the same color family, by choosing accents that contrast or match the flowers.

Finally, in order to achieve unity in your floral arrangement, you should ask yourself if the final arrangement  looks good to you and fits with the setting in which it is intended. Is the arrangement simple yet effective and sophisticated?  Does it look like all the elements were designed to be arranged together? If so, then you have achieved the basic principle of unity in your flower arranging goal.

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Flower arranging has become an art form in itself. The arrangements can be as simple or as complicated as you want them to be. However, most people think that putting some flowers and foliage into a container constitutes an arrangement, leaving what they think is a difficult design to a professional. The truth actually is that anyone can learn how to make some amazing floral arrangements by knowing the basic principles of the art and by practicing them as much as possible.

One the more important principles of floral arranging is Proportion. Very simply put, proportion deals with getting the scale and the overall appearance of the flower arrangement right. It is the correct selection of the elements in the arrangement in terms of size and shape. The proportion of your floral arrangement can be determined in two ways – either through the container you have, or based on the flowers you’re using. Whatever you decide on first, there are certain rules of proportion in arranging the flowers. The amount of flower material you use should be three-fifths of the final design, and the container, two-fifths. For example, if you are using long stemmed roses, it makes sense to use a  taller container instead of a  low round one to match the flowers. Round containers go well with flowers that are roundish in shape like the daisy and gerbera daisy or denser like the standard mum or carnation.

While creating a floral arrangement, to get the proportion right, make your arrangement slightly taller than you want it, since it is always easier to cut the stems if it’s too tall.

Proportion in a floral arrangement is also visible in the colors used. To have a visually appealing flower arrangement, select colors that will be proportionate to each other i.e. the amount of each color used in the floral arrangement. If you’re using three colors, use more of one color for your central point, less of the second color and only a moderate amount for the last choice of color. When determining the color proportion in any arrangement, you should also try and keep in mind the light and dark shades so that your arrangement is not completely dark or light, but a balanced effect which will suit the setting.

Along with the size and color, proportion in a floral arrangement can also be developed in the textures, such  as rough and smooth, or finishes like  shiny and dull. This provides some depth and character to the flower arrangement eliminating the monotonous appearance. By breaking the arrangement into different kinds of textures, it makes for a more attractive and eye catching work of art.

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Flowers are one of nature’s prettiest offerings. With hundreds of thousands of types of flowers out there, there is so much variety and choice available that it astounds the mind. There are flowers of every color and color combination, size, shape, density, texture, foliage etc. Every season brings different flowers to appreciate and love, be it the winter, spring, summer or autumn.

Today, flowers are used to provide color to empty spaces and bring life to inanimate areas, they are used to express feelings, to mark special occasions, i.e., birthdays, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, etc.,  and to bring joy to everyone.

The primary reason that flowers are so popular is that they are available to everyone. You don’t have to be rich to afford flowers. Even with the most easily and inexpensive flowers, you can make something beautiful. Everyone can work with flowers. You don’t have to be a professional florist to make those amazing flower arrangements you see in magazines and on TV.

So how do you learn how to make flower arrangements at home? There are two things involved – knowing the basic principles involved in arranging flowers, and using those principles to practice and experiment on your own till you are comfortable with what you’re doing.

The basic principles of flower arranging are to do with the form, line, shape, balance, texture, color, unity, proportion, harmony etc. By following the basics, your flower arrangement will be aesthetically pleasing and visually appealing.

One of the more important principles, one which ties together all the other basics of floral arrangement is Harmony.

Very simply put, harmony in a floral arranging is when all the elements used in the arrangement are in complete sync with each other and seem to belong together. When discussing harmony, you are not only talking about the flowers matching or belonging together, but also the flowers and foliage, the flowers and foliage with the container, the container with the space it has to share, the texture, shape, size, color etc. Basically a harmonious floral arrangement is striking to the eye without being over the top and without seeming very obviously contrived. It should look effortless to the viewer.

One way of achieving harmony in your arrangement is by trying to select those elements which have something (at least one thing) in common with each other, so that they fit together. This could be in size, color, texture and shape. If blended well together, then harmony has been achieved. For example, you should avoid choosing to put small flowers with oversized leaves as they don’t match. Similarly, if you put giant marigolds in a small vase, it will definitely look out of place.

For someone who is a beginner, harmony in a flower arrangement can easily and best be achieved through color. Color is very often the single most important element contributing to the harmony of your arrangement. By using monochromatic or analogous color combinations, a flower arrangement can look harmonious and visually striking. The simplest way of being sure that your color combinations are going to work is to check their positions on a color wheel. Adjacent colors generally belong together. For a contrast, opposite colors on a color wheel can be used.

Finally, harmony in a floral arrangement is achieved by of choosing the right elements and experimenting with different materials, colors, textures, shapes and styles.

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How often have you struggled to find that perfect birthday gift only to end up buying something trivial and boring? It happens to the best of us and is particularly likely to occur if you are looking last minute for a gift. Flowers are the perfect way to go when you need something that is meaningful. Go to flowers for more information.

There are plenty of reasons to give flowers as a birthday gift. Here are just a few:

- Flowers are beautiful and can be chosen to fit the recipient. Even guys will enjoy receiving a more masculine potted flowering plant.
- You can always find flowers, even last minute. Or perhaps do your own flower arranging.
- There are online florists who will allow you to order online for delivery in another state or even country.
- Flowers go with everything. You can pair a bouquet of flowers with a box of chocolates for a romantic gift, tickets to a soccer game for a sports fanatic, or with a stuffed animal as a cute gift for a child.
- Most people don’t think to give flowers as a birthday gift, so chances are, your present will be quite unique.

But just picking up the nearest bunch of flowers isn’t a good way to make your gift meaningful. You want to choose the right flowers for the occasion and this can take a little bit of time and research, though it’s still possible to do it last minute.

Things to Consider When Choosing Flowers

Preferred flowers: Do you know what the favorite flower of the recipient is? Rather than buying generic roses, you’ll find your gift is far more appreciated when you bring a bunch of gerber daisies . . . the birthday girl’s favorites!

Secret messages: Did you know that in Victorian times, flowers were used to send messages? Each flower has a specific meaning and together, they can be used to form a secret, one-of-a-kind message. For example, baby’s breathe means “festivity”, gardenias mean “joy”, and orange blossoms stand for “fertility”. By combining select flowers and providing a key, you can give a very special birthday message. Refer to flowers for more information.

Long-lasting: If you really aren’t sure which flowers to choose, consider going with longer lasting flowers like daisies, mums or carnations which will stay fresh and lovely for several days to a week. That way the recipient can enjoy them for a long time.

Accessories: There’s no reason to stop with just the flowers. To make your birthday gift truly special, present them in a way that will thrill the recipient. An example would be forget-me-nots in a teacup for someone who enjoys a tea party, a handpainted vase in their favorite colors with their favorite flowers inside, or perhaps a potted plant along with a trowel for planting it in the garden.

Gender: Women aren’t the only ones who enjoy receiving flowers, but for men, you will have to be more selective. Obviously a bunch of roses won’t be the ideal birthday gift for a particularly macho man. Men might prefer something a little more masculine, like a flowering branch or a plant that has plenty of greenery. But don’t overlook flowers as a gift for a male friend . . . over 60% of men say they would like to receive flowers. Combine it with a bottle of celebratory champagne and you’ve got yourself the perfect birthday gift.

Flowers offer true value as a gift, particularly if you personalize them to fit the personality of the person you’ll be giving them to. Don’t fret about flowers not being a suitable gift, they really are one of the best. Visit flowers for further information.

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I am so excited to tell all my readers about my new website Petal Picker.  I developed it so that anyone could find the right flower for the feeling they are try to express to that favorite someone.  Petal Picker is a convenient all in one location method of doing just that.  How, many times have you wanted to know what flower to send for a particular occasion?  How many other times have you wanted to send a floral bouquet or arrangement that expressed just the feelings you wanted to express.  Well, come to my new site and see for yourself.  I think you will be delighted to use my new floral tool and come back again for more.  When you do visit, please be sure to let me know what you thought of it.  I am always open to suggestions from all my loyal readers.  Just click here to go to Petal Picker and enjoy.

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Mother’s Day is a special time for mom. She works hard to make sure that you and everyone else is happy throughout the year. But what about her? Doesn’t she deserve a day devoted all to her, so she can feel extra special? After all, she is your mother. Since Mother’s Day comes year after year, it often seems to get harder and harder to figure out what to get her with each passing year. You definitely do not want to get her the same thing as you got her last year, and you also do not want to get her the same exact thing as someone else might be getting for her. You want to make sure that your gift is unique and very individual, something from the heart. Go to flowers for more information.

Here are some Mother’s Day gift ideas to help you along your way:

1.  Create your own handmade flower arrangement.  What better way than to say I Love You Mom than with a floral arrangement you made. This can be done for very little cost.  You can even use containers from around the house.  An old bucket, a watering can even an old shoe (just be sure to use a waterproof insert), a few of many items that you can use for a container.  Now fill it up with Mom’s favorite flower or flowers. You now have an inexpensive Mother’s Day gift. Use your homemade card from item 3 below and you are all set.

2. Have a portrait made together. She will absolutely love this. There is nothing more dear to a mother than her children. You can also buy her a nice outfit for the family photo together. Tell her that she can keep the outfit and wear it anytime that she wants. After getting your picture made together, get a nice frame to put it in, and give it to your mom for Mother’s Day.

3. Make her a card. This does not mean getting a regular piece of construction paper and some crayons and writing: “I love you mom, happy Mother’s Day” on the card. Unless you are four years old, you need to take some time and really make an unforgettable masterpiece out of your homemade card. Get some old pictures of you two together and glue them to the card. Try going out to a craft store and getting some special glue-on designs and artsy stickers. You could also try to add some pizazz to your card by gluing things like buttons, flowers, and cute, cut out pieces of fabric to the card. Once you have made your card, your mom will never forget the beauty and thought that has been invested into it.

4. Mother’s Day only comes one time a year, so you should make it one that she will never forget by buying her a couple of gift cards to her favorite shops. A girl has got to shop! Everyone knows this. What better way to treat your mother to one of her favorite activities! Refer to flowers for more information.

5. Go all out with the classic box of chocolates and bouquet of flowers. You cannot go wrong with this gift idea – never. Unless you got the same thing last year, this is an idea that is a winner every time. Even if you did get this for her last year, you can always spice it up by adding an extra gift that is not like anything else that you have gotten for her in the past.

6. Get her a custom made gift basket. You can locate gift basket retailers virtually everywhere online. They usually carry things like specialty chocolates, coffees, soaps, lotions, perfumes, gardening supplies, spices, recipe books. Basically all of the nifty little treats that moms love. You cannot go wrong with a gift basket, be sure to throw in a card and you will have the perfect Mother’s Day gift.

No matter what you choose to get for your mother, just make sure it is something as special as she is, and from the heart. This Mother’s Day needs to be the best one yet, and we should all strive to show our moms how important and appreciated they really are. We only have one mother, let’s let her know that we care by presenting her with the perfect gift this Mother’s Day. Visit flowers for further information.

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As promised, here is the first of six articles about the Principles of Flower Arrangement. I hope you enjoy this and the coming segments.———-Judy

For centuries flowers have been cultivated for their beauty, fragrance and color. Due to the amazing variety of flowers available and the natural beauty they lend to any place, flowers have long been used for decorative purposes. They have been used to beautify the barest of dwellings and used for special occasions and festivals.

One of the most popular ways of using flowers is to place them in artistic and creative arrangements. However, floral arrangements, though commonly used today, have developed over centuries and across cultures around the world. Some of the earliest records of flower arrangements have been traced to China. Here Buddhist beliefs led to meanings being assigned to flowers and thus determined their use in arrangements. China was also amongst the earliest cultures to place flowers in containers of water to prolong their life. Closely following China was Japan, which developed its own distinctive style of flower arrangement, relying more on shape and form. It was in Egypt, Rome and Greece that flowers were used for making garlands and wreaths, both to wear and to use for decoration.

Today, at an individual level and at the level of hotels or bigger gatherings, people love having flower arrangements around. And while most people will randomly arrange flowers and branches in a vase, there is in fact an art to flower arranging. Of course this doesn’t mean that only professionals can employ this art to make stunning pieces of work. Anyone sitting at home can also learn the basics of floral arrangements and with a little creativity make some fun and beautiful flower settings.

A floral arrangement is simply a combination of different elements which, when put together well, produces a visually striking and appealing display. Technically, there are 3 basic styles of arranging flowers. Any other style is generally a take on one of these.

The Oriental style of floral arrangement emphasises lines. The Traditional or Western style is based on the use of many flowers together in the arrangement, and the third Modern style has no rules really, but does pay more attention to line and form.

Whatever the style of floral arrangement, there are certain principles that should be followed for a beautiful and complete looking display. One of the more important principles to follow is Balance.

Balance is the one aspect that gives a floral arrangement its visual appeal and determines whether it can be classified as a formal or an informal arrangement. Balance in a floral arrangement is to be maintained in two areas – physical, the actual balance of the arrangement so it stands up straight, and the other is the visual balance so that it looks balanced to the eye.

Visual balance in a floral arrangement can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. In a symmetrically balanced arrangement, the two sides of the display are identical. Such arrangements are generally meant for formal use and give a slightly serious and rigid appearance. On the other hand, asymmetrical floral arrangements are different on either side of an imaginary central axis. These are more fun, active, informal and dynamic.

Balance in the appearance of the floral arrangement is related to the correct use of color and weight of flowers (the visual weight and not its actual weight). Generally dark and dense flowers appear heavy. As a rule, for a balanced appearance, heavy flowers are placed at the bottom of the arrangement and lighter ones towards the outer edges and upper portions.

Putting a pleasing floral arrangement together is a matter of practice and creativity. All it requires is a willingness to experiment and have some fun with flowers.

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Flowers, whether silk flower or fresh flowers are one of the favorite gifts to give and receive, as they convey a warm feeling to the recipient. They always give off a positive impact on a person’s emotions; they give delight due to their fragile beauty, and spell out a powerful symbol of enduring affection and optimism towards life. The flowers are an expression of the heart of the giver that transcends words; they express the exact sentiment that one might find difficult to convey in words.

There are many occasions when Flowers are sent to your friends, relatives and loved ones such as wedding ceremony, birthday, Valentines Day, Mother’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day and some other occasions. You can also send flowers to remember special dates, to celebrate new homes and to wish people well with a new job or business.

Flower arrangements are the perfect way to wish happy birthday to a friend or a dear one. You can give your mother a gift of beautiful flowers on Mother’s day for all that she does throughout the year for you. A flower is a symbol of love and you can give a flower bouquet to your girlfriend or spouse on Valentines Day or wedding anniversary. Funeral flowers are also a way to express empathy and condolence. Use wedding flowers to createa wedding flower bouquet and floral arrangement to decorate the church for the service and the reception too. Whatever kind of flowers you get, make certain to put some thought into it. It is best if you do your research, know which flowers are in season and which kinds of flowers go together well in an arrangement, and especially find out what people’s favorite flowers are before you get them flowers as a present.

Aside from being a great present and decoration, a recent study conducted at Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, offers scientific proof that flowers do improve our emotional health. First, flowers do provide happiness, surely a necessity for our emotional well-being. Second, the impact of flowers is positive and long-term. Lastly, flowers help to enable connections between people.

Flowers were only available in the flower shop and supermarkets traditionally. These flower shops are loaded with a vast selection of different flowers. You will find exotic flowers such as Anthuriums, soft waxy orchids and breath taking Ostrich Plume Ginger flowers and there will also be Peruvian lilies in a mix of colors arranged next to trays of delphiniums and larkspur flowers. However, the increasing demand for flowers as well as the popularity of the Internet resulted to the existence of online flower shops and websites selling flowers.

These Internet Flower stores generally have interesting selection of flower arrangements and floral bouquet that we can look at before we order. You can see if you would like to purchase tropical flowers like Ostrich Plume Ginger flowers, Lobster claws, or Peruvian Lilies and you can also choose assorted roses, many different orchids, tulips, daisies, asters and many others. You can choose to buy seasonal floral arrangements, special holiday gifts, occasional gifts and even get well flower arrangements. The best way that you can buy flowers online is to see the many flower delivery services online and look for the ones who can provide you with the flowers of your choice. Another alternative is to do your own flower arranging.

It is a good idea to work with a florist when choosing flowers because they are able to show different displays and arrangement that can stimulate ideas, which can turn out to be very unique and in a lot of situations fit into the budget you are working with. A great way to choose a florist is by simple ‘word of mouth’; a florist that creates an impressive floral design usually makes a habit of repeating good work. You can ask family members, friends or co-workers for florist recommendations. You should also ask about affiliations with other florist organizations. Affiliations often mean that certain minimum standards must be met; a florist may have affiliations with organizations such as the Society of American Florists and national wire services such as FTD florists or Teleflora. The umbrella company will then forward your order on to a member florist in your locale.

Floral arrangements are truly a gift to all of us, they are not only beautiful but they are fascinating proofs of how powerful the effect nature has to humans. Send flowers to make your loved ones feel special, send flowers on any occasions or simply send them without any special reason and let the flowers create their magic in the lives of those who are really close to your heart.

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