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Floral Design ToolsFloral Design Tools

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1. To identify tools and materials used in floral design

2. To learn proper usage of floral tools

3. To understand basic mechanics of floral design

ObjectivesObjectives

3IntroductionIntroduction

• Proper tools and equipment are needed to create attractive floral arrangements

• Some are specialized tools

• Many are common tools and supplies

• Many materials are inexpensive

4MechanicsMechanics

• Devices or techniques used to secure floral materials in a design

• Generally hidden from view

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• Known as floral foam or Oasis®

• Provides a support for fresh flowers and foliage

• Wicks water to flowers

• Must be thoroughly soaked before use

Water Holding FoamWater Holding Foam

6Water Holding FoamWater Holding Foam

• Sold in a variety of shapes and sizes

• Commonly sold as bricks or rounds

• Easily cut to fit container

7Dry Floral FoamDry Floral Foam

• Dry floral foam used for silk and dried flower arrangements

• Plastic foam or Styrofoam used for heavier flower stems

• Desert foam used when finer texture is needed

8Plastic Dishes & SaucersPlastic Dishes & Saucers

• Hold floral foam for floral designs

• Sold in assorted sizes and colors

• Has rectangular base to hold cut foam blocks

9Waterproof TapeWaterproof Tape

• Used to anchor florist foam to container

• Resists moisture, once adhered to a dry surface

• Sold in colors of green, white or clear

10Waterproof TapeWaterproof Tape

• Used to fashion grids to support flowers in vases

• Used to fashion grids to protect flowers in holding areas

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• Heavy metal base covered with sharp metal pins

• Holds flowers in place in shallow containers

• Gives physical stability to the design• Closely spaced pins are

used for smaller stems• Widely spaced pins are

used for heavier stems

Pinholder or NeedleholderPinholder or Needleholder

12Waterproof Adhesive ClayWaterproof Adhesive Clay

• Adheres pinholder to container

• Formed by rolling clay between palms to form a snake

• Must form waterproof seal

13Floral WireFloral Wire

• Adds support to stems used in arrangements

• Available in green or unpainted

• Manufactured in a variety of lengths and diameters

• Identified by gauge (e.g., the larger the gauge number, the smaller the wire diameter)

14Greening PinsGreening Pins

• Wire pins with U-shaped tops

• Used as a fastening device

15Stem TapeStem Tape

• Waxed crepe paper tape sticks to itself when stretched

• Covers wire and stems

• Holds together several stems, as in corsages

• Available in many colors

16Wooden PicksWooden Picks

• Wooden stick, two to six inches in length, with a light-weight wire attached to one end

• Used to lengthen or strengthen stem

• Placed alongside stem and secured with the wire

• Used for attaching other items, e.g., pinecones, wreath materials, etc.

17Picking MachinePicking Machine

• Mechanical device for attaching metal picks to stems

• Used by professional florists

18Water PicksWater Picks

• Plastic tubes with rubber lids

• Hold water for fresh flowers, which are not anchored in water holding material

• Designed with pointed end to enable insertion into supporting material

19KnifeKnife

• Used to cut stems

• Must be a good quality, sharp knife

• Professionals use special floral knives

20Floral Shears/Pruning ShearsFloral Shears/Pruning Shears

• Used to cut stems

• Must be sharp

• Should cut on both surfaces

• Shears cutting against a flat surface can damage stems

21Wire CuttersWire Cutters

• Used to cut wire

• Do not use scissors or pruning shears to cut wire

22ScissorsScissors

• Used to cut ribbon and streamers

• Used to trim foliage

23Thorn RemoversThorn Removers

• Used to remove thorns from roses

24Wire MeshWire Mesh

• Anchors fresh or dried stems

• Fold or crumple into container to hold stems

• Holds foam in place in topiary designs

• Available as standard chicken wire or other wire mesh

25Marbles and PebblesMarbles and Pebbles

• Supports stems in vases

• Adds attractive appearance to clear containers (add carefully to glass containers)

26RibbonRibbon

• Used for bows and streamers

• Available in a variety of sizes, colors and textures

• Wire-edged ribbon has fine wire incorporated into each edge

27Corsage AccessoriesCorsage Accessories

• Corsage pins anchor corsages and boutonnieres to clothing

• Wristlets serve as a base and attachment for wrist corsages

28Glue GunGlue Gun

• Attaches various items in arrangements

• Attaches items to wreaths

• Secures dried flowers

29Floral PreservativesFloral Preservatives

• Extend vase-life of fresh cut flower arrangements

• Condition cut flowers for proper handling and storage

30Silica GelSilica Gel

• Powdered drying agent (desiccant) used to dry flowers

31BucketsBuckets

• Tall narrow buckets are used to store flowers and foliage

• Proper sanitation is essential for maintaining vase life of flowers

32ContainersContainers

• There is an endless assortment of containers

• There is a wide range of sizes, colors, shapes and materials

33SummarySummary

• Successful floral designers have knowledge of:– support materials

– wiring methods

– tools and their proper usage

– accessory materials

34QuizQuiz

Identify the following floral design tools

1

43

2

35QuizQuiz

Identify the following floral design tools

5 6

87

36QuizQuiz

Identify the following floral design tools

9 10

37AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

McDaniel, Gary L. Floral Design & Arrangement. 3rd ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1996.

Book of Floral Terminology. American Institute of Floral Designers. Baltimore, MD, 1999.

Hurst, Marcia. The Encyclopedia of Flower Arranging Techniques. Philadelphia: Running Press, 1996.

Production CoordinatorSandra Balch

Production ManagerGeoff Scott

Graphics EditorAllison Mangold

Executive ProducerG.W. Davis

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