Oasis Idea Weekly

Smithers-Oasis North America Design Director Neville MacKay, PFCI, CAFA, WFC, is a writer, designer, speaker and president of My Mother's Bloomers in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Loving decorative wire and four easy ways to add it Neville off to make deliveries early this morning with the wire that goes everywhere with him. I just love decorative wire. I can't say enough good things about it. In fact, I keep at least half a roll in my suitcase whenever I travel, even to non-floral occasions. I never know when I might want it. Decorative wire allows you to make a floral design as unique as you want to make it. It's a low-cost way to add value to a flower, arrangement or vase that's all you, which is important for all of us! Like a backup dancer Done right, a decorative accent like wire should serve like a good backup dancer or singer: draw attention to and complement the main act, our beautiful flowers, but never overwhelm! Start simple I use basic Aluminum Wire for everything. It's versatile, malleable and comes in a great range of fabulous colors (14, to be exact!). You can use it above and below water, on glass and ceramic and with fresh and permanent flowers. And it makes a wicked base for floral jewelry! If you're going to pick one wire, I recommend Aluminum Wire. As I write this, I'm wearing a boutonniere made with Aluminum Wire. As florists, it's important to show off what we do whenever we can! Try a little When people tell me they don't like using wire, together we often discover it's because they aren't comfortable designing with it or don't understand how to use it properly in their daily design work. I praise the virtues of decorative wire at every show and demonstration I do! I get so excited when I watch folks embrace the benefits of this wonderful addition to our design resources. Once you discover how to use wire, you'll use it all the time! The best way to get started is to try a little. One of my favorites is to match wire colours to the floral palette, giving the arrangement a quick (and easy and cost-effective) boost! Click the image to watch how to make cascading circles with decorative wire! Four design ideas with decorative wire For a hand-tied bouquet, use decorative wire instead of ribbon or tape for a colourful and contemporary approach. Create wire loops over a bouquet or arrangement to shelter and frame the flowers. This adds not only interest to the design, but importance to flowers below (not to mention the perceived value!). Add tight cascading loops of wire (see how Loann Burke does it in this video) to strengthen the colour and add glorious movement to an arrangement. Here's a really fast and simple one: just moosh up lots of wire, put it in or atop a clear vase, then add your flowers. The coloured wires add a lot to the design as well as acting as an armature for support. Keep on the cutting edge Wire has opened so many doors as far as decorative accents. There's strung wire, beaded wire, flat wire, snakeskin wire, diamond wire and more. I love them all, but my dependable tried and true is Aluminum Wire. Accents allow me to express my creativity and keep on the cutting edge of design. And it's fun! I advise strength when are tempted to use it on everything. Like cilantro, you don't want to use it in every dish. It should always support the main act and not compete with the center of attention! Happy creating! Neville PS If you haven't tried some of the many wonderful wire products available from Smithers Oasis, now's your chance! You'll find nine types of decorative wire on oasisfloralproducts.com with up to 14 colors each, along with four types of strung and five types of binding wire, not to mention florist, spool and paddle wire! We florists must always be leaders in design and innovation, and with all the help and support from Smithers Oasis and the wonderful talented florists I get to work with there, we'll all continue to make the world a more beautiful place! Every product, completely described Oasisfloralproducts.com has complete information, including sizes and colors, on every OASIS Floral product available. You can create a list and order where you prefer, including from the site. Just shop as you normally would, adding items to your cart. When you're ready to check out, transfer your cart to the participating distributor you select.  The distributor will process your order, ship and bill you directly.  It's that easy!   If you have questions, ideas or concerns, please contact Customer Service at 1-800-321-8286 or support@oasisfloral.us.

Unsure how to view the class schedule or how to sign up for a class.....email me at: flowerclassroom@gmail.com I will be glad to answer any question at: 913-708-2988 thanks! Christina Burton-Fox AIFD