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design NOVELTY
birds of a feather
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Nature-lovers will flock to your shop for this charming arrangement.
Bird figurines remain
popular decorative accessories among consumers, and they’re ideal
for adding a bit of “life” to permanent floral arrangements. In this
design, which combines permanent, preserved and dried botanicals, a
bundle of river cane provides an inviting perch for an adorable
quartet of metallic songbirds. Sold in sets of three, the birds can
be positioned a variety of ways, as demonstrated here, to make it
appear that each bird within the composition is unique.
This intricate creation exhibits the design principle of
reverse proportion, in which the volume of botanical materials is
subordinate to that of the container. The sleekness of the metal
container nicely contrasts the textured metal birds and their
long-lasting surroundings.
MATERIALS:
Thorwax (Bupleurum),
chestnuts and birds from Sullivans; preserved dusty miller and
Hydrangeas from Verdissimo USA; river cane and dried yarrow from
Knud Nielsen Company; permanent ivy from Vintage Floral Imports; Tin
Square from Syndicate Sales; Oasis™ Bind Wire, Sahara® Dry Foam and
Oasis® Hot-Melt Glue from Smithers-Oasis.
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HOW TO 1:
Measure the top of the container from one side to the opposite
side, and mark the length on a piece of bundled river cane.
Carefully saw notches into the river cane at these points so
that the bundle will rest evenly on the container’s edge. |
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HOW TO 2:
Wire a wood pick to the center of the river-cane bundle, dip the
wood pick into hot-melt (pan) glue, and insert the pick into the
floral foam. Position the notches in the river cane on opposite
edges of the container. |
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HOW TO 3:
Secure each bird to the bundle of river cane by attaching
paper-covered wire around the bird’s feet and hot-gluing the
wire into the river cane. |
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