xmas tree cover

Christmas Tree Decorating that Breaks the Internet

If you, like me, like a good ‘theme’ to things, then Christmas is probably no different. I must confess though, in my current stage of life (3 kids under 5) over the last few years I have stuck with the same theme out of a combination of laziness and practicality. Despite the burning desire to change the colours, I have resisted, telling myself that this year is probably the last year that I will have to decorate a non traditional tree.

Over the last five years I have done what most families do; that is, either choose to have a non traditional Christmas tree decoration, OR, for the traditionalists, erect a fence-like structure around the parameter of your Christmas tree.

I have created a hanging wooden tree, made from various lengths of wooden slats, hung together to create a triangular Christmas tree silhouette and this has appeased me both practically as well as aesthetically. This  hangs in an alcove at the entrance of our home, away from little hands that seem absolutely determined to pull everything out and down, only to throw it all on the floor….for me to stand on.

WP_20151117_14_40_36_Pro

Like many other cash savvy mums out there I keep my eye on decorator ideas from many of the big retailers. And I have to say, non rival what Kmart have on offer.

Mums from all over the country post pictures of their trees sourcing wisdom from the crowd for their decorating dilemmas. Others post pictures for others to take inspiration from, and of course to garner the envy and appreciation that only social media ‘likes’ and comments can give you.

The one that really seemed to impress  this year was Tammy Sims’ black Christmas tree dressed head to toe in a slowly changing rainbow. Using a combination of store bought decorations as well as D.I.Y baubles that she glued and glittered herself, she was able to create a truly eye catching, creative tree.

Tammy Sims' Rainbow Christmas Tree

xmas tree 2

xmas tree 3

xmas tree 4
Images via Kmart Mums of Australia Facebook Page

The South Australia mum of three has scored over 6.1K ‘likes’ on the Kmart Mums of Australia’s Facebook page with her creation inspired by the ‘Yes’ vote.

“It seemed appropriate in celebration of the yes vote,” she explained.

Not everyone puts as much thought and consideration into the theme they will use to decorate their Christmas tree. Depending on your family, perhaps you have a box of precious baubles that have special memories attached to them, and they are lovingly hung each and every year.

Or perhaps you prefer less of the clutter that tends to comes with Christmas? If that sounds like you, then Kmart has another option that might fit the bill.

It’s not a fresh Christmas tree. It’s not even green. But Kmart’s stacking Christmas tree is both space saving and chic.

Part of the appeal of the Stacking tree is it’s neutral colour palette and simple Scandi style, however many creative people out there have used the shelf style tree pieces to create colourful compositions to suit their themes for the year.

Jacqueline Bertucci's metallic tree hack
Jacqueline Bertucci’s metallic tree hack
Sam Dawson decided to steer clear of glitzy baubles and instead created a neutral colour palette with light and texture
Sam Dawson decided to steer clear of glitzy baubles and instead created a neutral colour palette with light and texture
Louise Martin's take- with and without the lights illuminated.
Louise Martin’s take- with and without the lights illuminated.

So whether you choose to decorate a fresh or artificial tree, fill a vase with dried branches, or can decorate your home with festive fresh flowers you have endless opportunities to extend yourself creatively….and, if all else fails, know that we do it for you! Check out our Christmas range for inspiration!

Fwf x

Featured image; by Sofia Katariina 

Read More

Image of a Frozen Rose flower - The Floral Fantasy by Azuma Makoto

FROZEN- The Floral Fantasy

There are a handful of people on this planet who literally have the power to blow my mind. Don’t get me wrong, I am surrounded by inspiring and talented colleagues and friends and have a spirited, loving family- I am lucky. But every now and then you see something that seems so simple, yet is so sublime simultaneously.

I introduce you to two Japanese artists that are pushing the artisitc boundaries in every piece they create. They are masters.

Azuma Makoto (@azumamakota) is a floral artist who, in his latest exhibition chose to present flowers, as single stems or as bouquets suspended in giant ice blocks. Some blooms were distorted by being frozen, but interestingly they were snap frozen so their natural beauty and the intensity of the colours were preserved. As the blocks of ice melt, the blooms wither, and you are left with spent flowers and puddles on the floor. Its almost a metaphor for life; a moment in time, realising that life itself cannot be paused, or stopped, life will go on.

Makoto teamed up with Botanical Photographer Shunsuke Shiinoki to open a “haute couture” flower shop in Tokyo in 2002. In 2005 he began exploring the expressive potential of flowers by inventing a new genre of “botannical scultpture”, receiving orders from outside of Japan. After a solo exhibition in New York his unique, experimental works have been exhibited throughout Paris and Dusseldorf repeatedly, and also art museums, galleries and public spaces in Milan, Belgium, Shanghai and Mexico.

Now whilst the concept of freezing flowers probably doesn’t sound all that awe inspiring to anyone out there who has taken edible herbs and flowers and frozen them in ice cubes to add to drinks for a special soiree, I’m sure once you set your eyes on them, you’ll appreciate the difference.

This set my passion alight again, and my heart a-flutter ?

Watch how it all came together before you see the final result

Image of flower bouquets frozen in blocks by Azuma Makoto

 

Image of a Frozen yellow flower

Zoomed Image of a flower frozen in a block

Image of a beautiful flower frozen in a block

Image of Frozen Blocks of flower bouquets

Image of a Frozen Flower at the Florist With Flowers blog

Image of a Frozen Flower at the Florist With Flowers blog

Image of a Frozen Flower at the Florist With Flowers blog

Image of a Frozen Flower at the Florist With Flowers blog

Image of Frozen Flowers at the Florist With Flowers blog

Image of blocks of Frozen Flowers at the Florist With Flowers blog

Image of a blocks Frozen Flowers at the Florist With Flowers blog


Image of blocks of Frozen Flowers at the Florist With Flowers blog

Image of blocks of Frozen Flower bouquets at the Florist With Flowers blog

 

Someone else who is taking inspiration from nature, freezing flowers in space and time, is photographer Kenji Shibato. Shibato’s exhibition “Locked in Ether” showcases flowers literally locked in a moment of time. As time begins to move again, the ice thaws and the flowers are released from the restraint. Shibato’s flowers are more free form and there is less ‘arrangement’ in the placements of the blooms, but the overall concept and effect if the same. I’ve included a few examples here, but if you want to see more, check out his website.

Image of iced beautiful flowers

011

thum_001  thum_003 thum_004   thum_007  thum_009 thum_010 thum_011 thum_012 thum_013 thum_014 thum_015  thum_017  thum_019 thum_020 thum_021 thum_022

So what do you think?

Is this a technique you would like to see in more wedding and event work? Could we create talking pieces for a special soiree that could have the power to blow your guest’s minds?

I love that there is no limit to creativity!

Fwf x

Image Sources:

Azuma Makoto Instagram

Azuma Makoto’s website

Kenji Shibato’s Website

 

 

Read More

creativity word cloud on blackboard

Nature Vs Nurture- Can Creativity be Taught?

We’ve all heard the age old argument of Nature Vs Nurture. Does it apply to creativity? Can you learn to be creative? Can we teach such skills?

66994_2x3Q

The nature versus nurture debate is about the relative importance of an individual’s innate qualities as opposed to the individual’s experiences from the environment one is brought up in, in determining individual differences in physical and behavioral traits. So what I have been thinking a lot about recently is, are we born with creative ability or can we be taught?

66994_1x3Q

In recent years institutions have been taking a special interest in schooling individuals in creativity, believing that if these qualities are nurtured from an early age, it is actually possible to teach creativity in schools, and right through to universities. It is also believed that these days, as children are routinely assessed, they are consequently encouraged to conform rather than value thinking differently.

What do you think?

I certainly think that you can learn the fundamentals of anything. You can paint by numbers, you can follow step by step instructions to piece together a set of Lego, and you can learn how to follow a pattern to sew your own clothes. BUT can you develop independant, creative thought?

DUPLO_ZOO-2


I guess for me it is kind of the difference between baking and cooking. Both are incredibly valuable, desirable skills, but I remember hearing my lecturer explain the differences between the two to me once upon a time. She told me that baking is a carefully calculated process that results in a chemical reaction; dependent on following exact measurements and quantities in the recipe. How much baking powder, did matter. How long it baked in the oven, did matter. The particular temperature, did matter.

Cooking on the other hand was more about feelings and tastes. Add more of what you like, experiment with flavours. Feel. Taste. Touch.

299ee24d078495dba0b1c0e6b2dd78cc

love_happens_2

I have heard people say things like, ‘I have never been a creative person, but I would love to be a florist’ and I wonder what kind of florist they would become? Sure you can give a cook a recipe, and if you follow it carefully, and measure accurately, the result should be consistent each and every time, does the same apply for floristry?

For me, the answer is no. Haven’t you ever asked a friend for a recipe for that dish that you love, only to recreate it, and it fall a little short? Sometimes it just lacks that flavour.

And maybe this is the element that cannot be taught- the x factor if you like- ‘Flavour’ OR ‘FLAIR’.

It is true that we all find inspiration in day to day life, through our colleagues, our friends, our mentors. A conversation about one thing can start a thought process and lead you to another. One comment can spark a thought, and before you know it, you are envisaging something new and exciting to create. At least that is the way it happens with me.

Now that is not to say that there is only one type of creativity either. One person can be creative mathematically yet not manage to put together an outfit that matches. Alternatively a person could put together a home so beautiful it belongs in magazines, but when it comes to creative problem solving comes up blank.

Finding a new florist to join your team is a tough process. Qualified, experienced florists walk in and out of your door and the position is left unfilled. Why? Because the applicant may have made something that follows the elements and principles of design but it still manages to lack some sort of flavour.

What do you think, do we florists have a special skill?  Can you see finesse in some florists’ work, that is lacking in others? Do you think people are born with the ability to take things to a new level?

Fwf x

 

 

Read More