Contact Form

Name

Email *

Message *

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Oasis Idea Weekly


April 30, 2019
The Mechanics for Trendy Vertical Floral Designs
We’re fascinated with height. There are skyscrapers, sky diving and even the stiletto heel.

Floral designs are no exception to this fascination. This year vertical arrangements are surging in popularity. Height in floral designs commands attention with the practical benefit of using less surface space.

Explore the possibilities of Vertical Designs like these beautiful examples from Hitomi Gilliam AIFD as Smithers-Oasis Design Director Sharon McGukin AIFD, AAF, PFCI, shares tips and techniques for vertical designs in this week's IDEA Weekly blog. 
To view the blog, click the image above or green button below. 
Get Ready for Mother's Day with Handy Picks
Easily elevate your Mother’s Day arrangements with Handy Floral picks from Smithers-Oasis. Mother’s Day choices include garden, rose, butterfly and # 1 Mom designs in a variety of colors. They’re the perfect length for foam and vase arrangements. To view, click the image above or button below. 
Your Guide to Choosing Floral Foam Types
Do you know? OASIS floral foam comes in different densities for different stem types. Download this PDF guide to worry-free selection of the right foam for your designs. Click the image above or button below.
Every OASIS Floral Products product in detail—and more!
Oasisfloralproducts.com has the complete information you need on every available OASIS Floral Products product including sizes and colors. You'll all find floral recipes, how-to videos, design ideas and inspiration. If you have questions, ideas or concerns and for order support, contact customer service at 1-800-321-8286 or support@oasisfloral.us.



Christina Burton-Fox AIFD floral artist & instructor

Thursday, April 18, 2019

What are the students Thinking??

As Students finish the 12 day  Explore Floral Design Class I ask them to evaluate the classroom and myself to make improvements on my teaching and the classroom itself.

Here are a few comments:

Please tell me about your experience

The class was a challenge for me. I learned a lot of elements about design that I was unaware of.  I will never be able to look at a flower arrangement the same way again.  The class pushed me to try new things and improve my techniques.  I think my skill level was improved so my flower arrangements look better.

I enjoyed the Flower Classroom course very much.  I was not sure what to expect, but was challenged to learn new skills and to once again start using skills I learned in the past.  The course was very well organized, our classroom was always prepared and was a pleasant place to be, and we were given excellent tools and flowers to work with.  I was pleased that this wasn't just a workshop, but a true class where we were critiqued, but were also encouraged to do better, learn more and keep trying.  It wasn't always easy and was at times frustrating, but I felt good about the designs I made each day knowing that we were being taught not only to make attractive designs, but designs that would actually sell in a flower shop.  It was a great idea to have us take photographs of each of our designs.  I have already referred to them and the design " recipes" we wrote several times since the class.  The many resources shared with me are very valuable as well.

 Did the class hit the mark for you?

It hit the mark.   I learned a lot.  I want to learn more!

I truly enjoyed the class.  I looked forward to the class each day and was sad when it was over.

Did the cost of class = the value?

The class was worth every penny!  In fact we received so many items from Christina that we were amazed by what was offered to us as part of the class.

I was not sure about this at first, and even questioned it, but after seeing the tools and flowers we were provided with, and after quickly learning that Christina is very skilled in her profession, I know that the money spent was a great value to me in exchange for all that I learned and all the resources made available to me.

What was the best day of class for you?  Tell me more.....

I especially enjoyed the day we visited the wholesaler store, and doing this at the end of class was a very good choice.  By then I had learned about tools, supplies and flowers enough to see all the options available to me and see the whole process at work.  After reviewing the photographs I took I would say the best design day was day 4 when we made arrangements after learning the basic types and forms and could apply a lot of what we'd learned.  I was a confidence building day!  I also really liked making the corsages, boutonnieres and jewelry.

I really enjoyed learning how to make a European hand tied bouquet.

What was the most challenging day of class?  Tell me more....

I struggled with the asymmetrical arrangements, but by day tow it got a little easier for me.

Day eight when we made the bridal bouquets with the"egg".  The procedure was difficult, time consuming, and I wasn't pleased with my end results.  I was also disappointed we didn't have time to make a design using the round pillow form.  I would have rather made one design with the egg and one with the round pillow than two (frustrating!) Bouquets using the "egg".


These comments from Students help me to learn to be a better teacher and make improvements to the daily design schedule as we move into and thru design forms.

Thank you for all this information!  I truly enjoyed meeting you both and sharing my floral passion and knowledge with you both!!

See you in another class soon....




Christina Burton-Fox AIFD floral artist & instructor

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Oasis Idea Weekly


April 2019
How and Why to Use Floral Foam
What’s possibly the most important thing to know about using floral foam?

That it was invented in 1954? That choosing the right density for stems makes designing easier and more secure? That nearly 400 different Smithers-Oasis foam products are available? That today’s OASIS foam biodegrades 100 percent?


Yes, these are important. As are the tips on choosing, prepping and using floral foam efficiently you’ll find in this week's blog.

But the most important thing—or one of the most important things—to know about using floral foam?

The correct way to wet it. Smithers-Oasis Design Director Sharon McGukinAIFD, AAF, PFCI, explains hydration plus all things floral foam in this week's IDEA Weekly blog. 
To view the blog, click the image above or green button below. 
Your Guide to Choosing Floral Foam Types
Did you know OASIS floral foam comes in different densities for different stem types? This guide, along with today's IDEA Weekly blog, will guide you to worry-free selection of the right foam for your designs. Click the image above or button below for the PDF. 
Prom 2019 Floral Design Ideas
Discover three dozen new prom design ideas in styles from fun and casual to formal elegance. Among the necklaces, corsages, boutonnieres and crowns are designs featuring new products like Bind Wire Bright and just-added wristlet styles along with creative applications of long-time favorites like decorative wire. Click or tap on the image above or green button below to view the two interactive image galleries. 
Every OASIS Floral Products product in detail—and more!
Oasisfloralproducts.com has the complete information you need on every available OASIS Floral Products product including sizes and colors. You'll all find floral recipes, how-to videos, design ideas and inspiration. If you have questions, ideas or concerns and for order support, contact customer service at 1-800-321-8286 or support@oasisfloral.us.

Christina Burton-Fox AIFD floral artist & instructor