Читать книгу Modern Faux Flower Projects - Stevie Storck - Страница 8

CHAPTER 1: FAUX FLORALS 101

Before we get into how to design and craft with artificial flowers and greenery, let’s first talk a little bit about what they are and how they are made. You might be surprised to learn that permanent botanicals have been around for centuries! As far back as Ancient Egypt, people have been imitating natural flowers with a wide variety of materials, including linen, shavings from animal horn, seashells, wax, gold, and silver. It was in Italy in the twelfth century that flowers began to be made from silk. Although artificial florals are still commonly referred to as “silk,” these days most are made from polyester and plastic: polyester fabric for the flower petals and leaves, and plastic for the stems, berries, and smaller plant parts such as pistils and stamens. Flower petals are made by cutting thin layers of polyester fabric and then pressing them in heated molds, which add shape and texture. They are assembled and colored using a variety of methods. Sometimes stacks of polyester flower petals are painted by hand with watercolors; sometimes they are silk-screened to create specific patterns; and sometimes they are dipped in clear or pigmented polymer that makes petals and leaves feel more realistic to the touch.

There are three main types of faux floral products you can buy: stems, sprays, and bushes. Stems are single flowers on a longer stem. Often a stem will also have leaves, and sometimes it will have a small bud as well. Sprays will have multiple flower heads, leaves, or buds on a longer stem. Bushes usually have many shorter stems of flowers or leaves that are joined at the base. Bushes can be used as-is or cut down into pieces to use in arrangements. A hanging bush will have a long cascade of flowers or leaves that are joined at the base with a thicker stem. These can be used in taller flower arrangements or on their own in a hanging planter for a pretty trailing look. Flowering branches can be used as another faux floral component to an arrangement. Craft stores will also typically sell artificial flowers in premade bundles or bouquets, swags, and garlands.

Types of faux floral products, from left to right: stem, spray, and bush.

Although modern faux flowers are still sometimes referred to as “silk,” they’re mostly made from plastic and polyester.

“Quality is important. You should choose high- quality materials, from the flowers to the foam to the cutting tools. Cutting corners typically leads to frustration and will take the enjoyment out of it for you!”

—Stephanie Kirby of The Blue Daisy Floral Designs, Pittsburgh, PA

How to Choose Flowers

With all the options available, it can be hard to find a place to start when shopping for faux flowers and greenery. Here are a few methods I use that I hope will be helpful in planning your next faux floral craft project.

Quality/Realism

Faux florals and greenery come in a wide variety of types and quality levels. My advice is to choose the best-quality flowers you can afford. If you invest in better-made florals and supplies, not only will your finished project look more realistic, but it will also last longer. Although there is a plethora of artificial flowers out there in every color you can imagine, I recommend sticking to options that mimic nature as much as possible. You can find a bush of cobalt blue daisies at the craft store, but maybe go for the simple white and yellow option instead.

Craft stores will often have several styles and colorways of the same flower type available. Even slight differences can make a flower look truer to life. For example, in the spring tabletop arrangement (see here), I chose cream tulips instead of white because the cream had more dimension and color variation. That made them look more like a real tulip to me, whereas the stark white felt a little more faux.

Season

Choose flowers that are in bloom in the same season for a great way to keep your faux arrangement feeling natural and cohesive. In spring, you could make an arrangement of tulips, daffodils, and dogwood branches. In summer, you could use poppies, cosmos, and daisies. In fall, think about goldenrod, chrysanthemum, and rust-colored leaves. Finally, in winter, mixing evergreen branches and berries into your arrangement gives a seasonal feel. That said, the benefit to faux is that you can bend the rules a bit! Peonies generally bloom in the late spring, but who’s to say you can’t feature a beautiful burgundy peony in a fall arrangement? Use this method as a means of inspiration, but don’t limit yourself.

Color

Having a color scheme in mind is a great way to shop for faux flowers. Are you looking for a minimal, monochromatic color palette for your arrangement? Maybe you want something bold and high contrast with purples and yellows? Many craft stores arrange their floral department by color, which makes it easy to build your arrangement as you shop. See here for more on choosing a color scheme for your arrangement, along with some example color schemes that I love.

Choosing faux flowers that match the real flowers that are currently blooming will ensure that your décor keeps up with the seasons.

Buying faux florals will be easier if you have a color scheme in mind before shopping.

TIP

Pare down the color scheme if you want a wide variety of flowers. If you want a lot of color, keep it simple with just a few kinds of blooms.

Focal Flower First

If you’re having trouble deciding where to begin, start by selecting your statement flower and go from there. This might be your favorite flower or just something that jumped out at you while you were perusing the aisles. Choosing one larger bloom first and then building the rest of your arrangement around it is a great way to shop for faux florals. Go for a variety of textures, bloom shapes/sizes, and colors to complement your main flower choice. This is often the way I shop for my arrangements!