People have been recreating flowers with a myriad of materials for centuries. The earliest artificial flowers were crafted in ancient China. First using cloth, “silk” flowers began to catch on in the United States in the 1800s, but early efforts produced silk flower arrangements and silk florals that bore little resemblance to their living counterparts. Yet today dust resistant, realistic, low maintenance silk floral arrangements can be found if a consumer is willing to look. Artificial flower arranging took a giant leap forward in the early 1970s with the use of plastics and high-quality synthetic fibers. As technology and manufacturing techniques improved, these materials enabled manufacturers to create silk flower arrangements with greater botanical accuracy than ever before. Though the commonly accepted term is “silk flowers”, it is something of a misnomer, as modern flowers are rarely made of silk.

Today’s silk flower arrangements have continued to get better and more realistic. From the delicate veins running through the leaves, to the way the stem seamlessly meets blossom, today’s silk flowers are often so realistic, they have to be touched to be believed. It’s not uncommon to find that even the leaves feel like they have “fuzz” growing on them, adding that realistic finishing touch. The creation of artificial flowers and artificial foliage is an exacting process and one that requires creativity, keen senses and a commitment to the production of quality silk floral arrangements. Today’s consumers are demanding in their desire for realistic artificial flower arrangements. Dust resistance, realism, and easy to clean are just some of the required characteristics that go into creating the finest items possible.

The fun & enjoyment of working with dried flowers awaits you. 1st. off we will begin by creating gorgeous floral arrangements using natural products to bring vibrant color to home accessories. Imagine this if you will, the combination of colored exotics like the mango Ting Ting flowers mixed with the longer twisted Ting Ting in mango, keeping the twisted Ting as the highest point in the arrangement. Use Brown, Bordeaux or Mango Flax grass as filler. Add several (5) 24” long stem natural Pro Tea flowers. Place these in a fairly tall marble looking vase, or a terra cotta pot. Bring one of the Pro Tea flowers & a few of the Ting Ting’s down in front of the vase or pot. Play with the arrangement till you get just the look you want & for a job well done.

After all that work we need to relax. To help bring a restful, refreshing feel to our habitat, bring on the domestically grown English lavender mixed with the white Larkspur & the preserved dark green Lasiantha, arranged in a metal Americana pitcher, for an aromatic potpourri treat. Sit near an open window or air vent. While we’re on this smell good potpourri kick, gather-up the flavorful cinnamon sticks & lavender buds. We can crush them up or make a bundle of the sticks, tied with a ribbon on a bed of lavender buds in a wicker basket, adding a few lavender blooms for a complete smell good temptation. If lavender is not your choice, select several stems of polished preserved Eucalyptus in array of vibrant color of blue, camel, green, olive, orange, purple or red. Tie with ribbon & place on a shelf or windowsill.

Attach at random by gluing or tying, natural dried fruits such as apple slices, grapefruit slices, & orange slices, including cinnamon sticks tied on with small raffia bows at each one of the fruit slices. Brew –up a cup of tea or apple cider, pop-in a cinnamon stick, stir gently, wake –up the taste buds, as well as the sinuses. Another simpler option would be to gather-up the yummy fruit slices, including the whole split orange, place in a crystal bowl. Stir often & enjoy. With the use of the honeysuckle garland shaped into an arched bundle as the base, attach preserved foliage of burgundy Peppermint & burgundy Cedar with raffia ties. Add a few natural sun Palms @ random along with burgundy parchment Hydrangeas, pinching off a few blooms to place at strategic points on the sun Palms.