Archive for May, 2010
From the moment they’re plucked from the stem, flowers start to decay, but you can keep them looking fresh longer with a few steps. Fresh flowers will start to decay at a fast pace if they’re cut from the stem and then just plopped into a vase or bucket of water. To prevent this, it’s important to have a bit of plant food and fertilizer to sprinkle in the water (there are products designed to achieve just this). In addition to the plant food, it’s important to cut the bottom of the stems on the flowers at an angle right before they go into the water. Cutting the bottom of the flowers as they go into the water will allow them to soak up more water before the bottom becomes hard and unable to absorb the nutrients in the water that will keep the plant fresh.
When working with fresh flowers in arrangements, it’s best to use floral foam, and to ensure that the foam is watered on a regular basis while the arrangement is still healthy. The floral foam will lock in the water and ensure it is distributed to the stems when needed. If all of this maintenance doesn’t seem worth it, wood flowers are a viable alternative anytime of the year.
Much like clothing fashions, design elements go in and out of style in a cyclical fashion. Blown art glass was a lost art in America until a resurgence that occurred in the 1960s. Ever since then, these unique decorative pieces have been charming hosts and houseguests across the country. Evidence suggests that the first hand blown glass vases were made in Syria before the birth of Christ. Venetian artisans revitalized the technique in the 12th century when their island became a trading empire.
Today, collectors as well as average homeowners appreciate such vases. When you purchase a hand blown vase, you’re not just paying for a mass-produced placeholder but rather a genuine work of art. The creativity and craftsmanship that go into every piece simply cannot be overstated.