BEST METHODS OF FLOWER ARRANGEMENT (PART -I) .

                                                  

Flower arrangement is an art which was created and studied in Eastern countries from hundreds of years, but it is comparatively a recent development in the western world. This is not an art to be reserved only for a party or special occasions. A few flowers on the kitchen table can be as important in their own ways as a full scale party or dinner decoration. What is essential in flower arrangement is good design, right shape and colour. In a room, every piece of porcelain, each wall paper, curtain or cushion have their value and should be emphasised and harmonised with the general furnishings. In the same manner flower arrangement must be made considering each flower and leaf carefully chosen for size, shape, colour, all in relation to the surroundings

Flower arrangement is the art of organising flowers or other plant materials into compositions having harmony of form, colour and texture. Its purpose is to add colour to the clear life and beauty to the surroundings. It is known that the art of flower arrangement have existed ever since the 6th century. Japanese used to place the plant materials at first. This art is of a high degree

No one can cook without utensils or paint without a brush. It is the same way with flower arrangement. To be proficient one need tools, containers, holders &bases are the requirements.

                                 

CONTAINERS: Now a days almost any receptacle that holds water for flowers is termed as containers. Wine glasses, copper kettles, bottles, tins, baskets, converted lampstands, fruit dishes, cake stands, jugs, bowls and sliver ware etc, but not all of them are suitable for every room surroundings.

Tall upright glasses are generally accepted as being better choice for formal arrangement, while shallow dish is suitable for modern informal styles. It is most important that flowers should be suitable to the container.

                                    

HOLDERS: Holders are very important because it is impossible to make a well-designed picture with flowers, unless one uses some kind of holder to keep the flowers firmly in the place. For upright vases a piece of crumbled wire netting gives excellent support.

 A ‘’X’’ mesh is best for the general use. A pin holder underneath the wire gives best results. This method is good for wide tall containers.

Flower pin holders are essential & are available in many sizes &shapes & are used in shallow dishes. If the pin holder is topless it can be placed by half filling with sand or wet newspaper.

                                    

BASES: Bases are an important part of flower arrangement. They help in preserving the surfaces of the furniture, add colour, atmosphere and balance in many designs. Slices of wood can be used as bases.

Other tools include stiff wires for giving false stems to cones & Candle-cups. Strips of lead for adding to the back of tall containers

to give it weight. Lead wire is also used to bind several stems together.

There are four main styles of flower arrangements: Traditional or  mass, oriental or Japanese or EKABANA, modern &floating arrangement. Dry, miniature, diminutive, line, mass, line mass arrangements are some more varieties of flower arrangements.

There are certain principles to be followed while doing the flower arrangement. Line, colour, & texture are the major ones. Design, balance, scales, rhythm, transition, composition & focal points are the rest.

                                                     (to be continued.......)