OLD MEETS NEW

While many customers still enjoy the look of a traditional centerpiece that features taper candles and evergreen, other customers are always on the prowl for something new and innovative. Here is a great idea that blends both traditional and contemporary together in a winning combination.
Not only are the evergreens traditional foliage for the Christmas season, so are the round ornaments that hang from the tree. Round shapes are always pleasing as they have no top or bottom, front or back, they are symmetrical, and come in multiple sizes. They are called spheres, globes, balls, or orbs. Some are shiny while others might have a matt surface. Some may be embellished while others are plain. So, take the cue from tradition and use the past to create the future.
Start with floral foam in a sphere shape. These are manufactured in multiple sizes from several manufacturers. Choose high quality floral foam as it absorbs water and retains water better. If you need a larger orb, choose a sphere that is covered in net to help hold the foam in place without breaking apart. Soak the sphere in water that has floral preservative mixed into the water for prolonged shelf life for the customer. Slice a small amount off of one side of the sphere to create at bottom so the sphere does not roll. Now comes the fun part! Look around the cooler and the design room for materials that can be used to cover the orbs. Flowers such as Carnations and Roses work great and give a lot of additional volume. They will increase the size of the floral foam orb by 4 to 6 inches. Flatter flowers such as Kermit Chrysanthemums add interest and color without adding a large amount of volume. Mosses can be used and held in place with colored bullion wire for additional color and great texture contrast. Heather is another option of materials that also work by being held in place with bullion. It is fun to experiment with different kinds of flowers and foliages to see which materials work best to produce the desired effect. When designing the orbs, keep in mind that the smaller the orb, the more challenging it becomes to mix multiple materials together to achieve a clean look. With larger orbs, you have more surface area to change materials and can create a smoother transition. Think like a painter and use large brush strokes of color or texture to enhance the surface.
Now that you have created multiple long lasting orbs, you can display them in your cooler. Each sphere should be priced individually so customers can pick and choose which ones work best for them. Keep them in shallow trays with a minimal amount of water to keep the floral foam saturated. Merchandise them in multiple ways to give your customers ideas and price options. A single orb on a shallow tray with some stones or polished gems and a candle looks great for small spaces. Multiple orbs resting on a bed of evergreen in a shallow decorative bowl enhanced with traditional millimeter ornaments showcase both traditional and contemporary looks. Be sure and display these ideas on your website to share your ‘old meets new’ holiday ideas with everyone!