Fresh issue 21 by Andrew Heptinstall Photography

ISSUE 21

fresh the choice of professionals

Distributed to the UNITED KINGDOM and IRELAND

fresh talk! With Christmas looming on the horizon it’s time to think about merchandising over the festive season. Choosing in-house specials is top of the agenda, as is understanding your customers’ likes and dislikes, and reflecting on the best way to deliver a unique shopping experience. Florists are in a gifting industry and the buzzword on everyone’s lips at the moment is self-gifting.

Whether it’s a self-gift or not customers will go crackers for the new OASIS® Floral Creations Christmas Cracker (see page 15) and the OASIS® Christmas Cupcakes have been given a festive look with skirts designed to add value to Christmas sales. Both products are versatile for table arrangements or as gifts.

If you haven’t spotted the Galvanised Jingle containers yet in your local wholesaler then hot foot it down there as these cute tins with Christmas motifs will sell out really quickly.

© Smithers-Oasis UK Ltd 2013. All rights reserved. Neither the whole, nor any part of the images or copy in this literature may be reproduced in any form without express prior permission from Smithers-Oasis UK Ltd

Whilst stocking up on Christmas products pick up issue three of the Glassware, Metalware and Decorative Accessories brochure and look out for a whole host of new and exciting Christmas presentation products from OASIS® Floral Products. Stunning Crackle Organza in gold and silver. Natural Kraft papers in Poinsettia, Snowflake and Star patterns.

Odense Plastic Plates (round and rectangular in gold, silver and red). Casablanca Crystal Hangers.

The Interflora Florist of the Year and Florist of the Future Finals took place at the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show in July. The theme of the competitions was to celebrate Interflora’s 90 years of fabulous floristry and OASIS® Floral Products were proud to sponsor the floristry demonstrations and the surprise item in the competitions. Winners Rebecca Hough and Neil Whittaker

Often customers treating themselves to a gift go for something luxurious that they would not normally buy. Who doesn’t love self-gifting? Generally there is some kind of trigger or reason to justify the purchase and Christmas is high on the self-gifting list. Self-gifters love special offers as it eases their conscience slightly. Identifying the customer who buys flowers for themselves on a regular basis means you can target special promotions geared to impulse self-gifting sales. It’s worth giving thought to regular customers and analysing what they buy and why because it could make a positive difference to sales.

In first place in the Interflora Florist of the Year competition was Neil Whittaker from the Design Element, Irlam with stunning and original designs. Neil is a big fan of OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife saying, “I love to use OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife it soaks so easily, flowers stay fresher for longer and its consistency keeps the flowers firmly in place. It makes my life easier because I know I can rely on its superior quality.” Rebecca Hough from the Secret Garden in Hartlepool is a name to look out for in coming years as she won first place in the Interflora Florist of the Future competition. Congratulations to you both. Everyone at OASIS® Floral Products wishes you a happy and prosperous Christmas and don’t forget to check out the Christmas resource area on our website www.oasisfloral.com for special Christmas features.

CHRISTMAS CAKES ✁

The only four recipes needed for Christmas cake arrangements.

shining star

ice Queen

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o christmas Tree

rudolf

ice Queen

shining star

ingredients

ingredients NEW!! Christmas Snowflake skirt design

12cm OASIS® Floral Cupcake

Silver Bullion Wire

Gold Star Wand Regal Red Flower Glitter and Flower Glue

Designer Tips

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OASIS® Floral Cupcakes are now available in a new Christmas Snowflake skirt design and are perfect for the festive season in a choice of gold, red or silver.

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OASIS® Floral Cupcakes have a generous filling of OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife to help flowers live up to 50% longer than in previous floral foam.

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Use a stencil to create a glittering star shape on the OASIS® Floral Cupcake surround and then accentuate the starry effect with a Star Wand topper.

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Soak the floral foam in a Floralife® Flower Food solution to aid longer life.

Hypericum ‘Green Condor’

Red Rose ‘Naomi’ Red Spray Rose ‘Santa Rosa’

rudolf

o christmas Tree

ingredients

ingredients NEW!! Christmas Snowflake skirt design

12cm OASIS® Floral Cupcake

NEW!! Christmas Snowflake skirt design Regal Red Flower Glitter and Flower Glue

Red Organza Ribbon

Holiday Red OASIS® Spray Colour

Designer Tips ●

For more profit use small offcuts of ribbon and pin ribbon tails into place around the OASIS® Floral Cupcake.

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Use a motif or pick in the centre of the arrangement to accentuate the message.

Topping Cymbidium Orchids Red Spray Rose ‘Tomango’

Eryngium ‘Orion’

12cm OASIS® Floral Cupcake

Red Sparkler Pins

Red Cord

Cinnamon Sticks

Designer Tips ●

Glue a line of Cinnamon Sticks around the OASIS® Floral Cupcake to give a log effect. Then decorate with cord securing with Sparkler Pins.

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Get a Christmas tree look by creating a pyramid shape with the flowers and adding tree topper stars.

Topping Hydrangea Green ‘Magical Emerald’ Spray Rose ‘Tomango’

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Spray Rose ‘Viviane!’ Eryngium ‘Orion Questar’

Red Sparkler Pins

Brilliant Gold OASIS® Spray Colour

Topping

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NEW!! Christmas Snowflake skirt design

CONTEMPORARY CANDELABRA This spectacular Candelabra is styled in a luxurious contemporary way to make a striking centrepiece for any table. The Flat Top Candelabra holds an OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife Sphere encased with luscious red Roses and interspersed with Finland Moss. To make full on glamour affordable hire out the Candelabra for events and functions.

Sundries

oasis® ideal floral foam Maxlife sphere

flat Top candelabra

natural finland Moss

Designer Tips ●

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Place the OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife Sphere in a shallow tray secured to the central platform of the Flat Top Candelabra. Wire the lichen twigs into a garland and secure to each of the candleholders.

Flowers and Foliage rose ‘naomi’ ilex Verticillata lichen covered twigs

STAR OF WONDER To compete in a crowded marketplace florists need to stand out from the pack with stylish decorations that have starry appeal. With so many outlets selling door and wall decorations at Christmastime its time for professional florists to be one step ahead of the opposition and this silvery star decoration will set a trend. The OASIS® FOAM FRAMES® Star of David is the perfect base for a snowy natural look that shows off your professional skills. Add a trail of white Callas with a cluster of Roses for luxurious impact and customers will be star struck.

Flowers and Foliage Gypsophila ‘Million stars’ Zantedeschia ‘crystal Blush’ spray roses ‘Viviane’ Gleichenia ‘coral fern’ asparagus setaceus Twigs liriope – lily Grass

Designer Tips • Wire the pine cones using the double leg method for secure anchorage into the edge of the oasis® foaM fraMes® star of David. for additional security use the oasis® floral adhesive Tube to secure pine cones at the points of the star. • The Gypsophila will dry out naturally giving a long lasting base.

sundries

oasis® foaM fraMes® star of David

natural finland Moss

pine cones

silver Bullion Wire

super silver oasis® spray colour

oasis® holiday snow spray

LANTERN GLOW Show your metal with a stylish fretwork Metal Lantern set in a lush floral arrangement. When the weather outside is gloomy, candles give a home a warm and comforting glow that customers love. This arrangement made on an OASIS® NAYLORBASE® 12” Posy Pad has a Metal Lantern snuggled into its fragrant pine base. Use ingenious LED Wax Candles (Blow Out) from the OASIS® Floral Products range for an illuminating effect.

Sundries

Designer Tips

oasis® naYlorBase® 12” posy pad

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Hurricane Lamps from OASIS® Floral Products help to protect naked flames that could be a fire risk.

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Give a dramatic look by using tall vertical flower placements at the side of the arrangement.

Flowers and Foliage

Metal lantern

Abies procera – Blue Pine Brunia Eryngium ‘Orion’ Hypericum ‘Jade Flair’ Syringia Rose ‘Avalanche’ Ornithogalum arabicum Dracaena sanderiana 07

leD Wax candle (Blow out)

Bleached White Mitsumata Branches

chrome silver flower Glitter and flower Glue

pine cones

TOPIARY TREE Put away the tinsel and baubles because Christmas trees are having a modern makeover. Topiaries are always in fashion but at Christmas designer trees can be made in a variety of sizes from table top to floor standing. Follow our step-by-step instructions to create a terrific topiary.

How to...

Sundries

OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife Cone

OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife Bricks

Regal Red Flower Pine Cones Glitter and Flower Glue

08 Black Acrylic Urn

Silver Aluminum Wire

Red Organza Ribbon

Star Wand

Mossing Pins

Flowers and Foliage Driftwood or dowelling Abies procera – Blue Pine Moss Red Rose ‘Naomi’ Red Spray Rose ‘Piano Freiland’ Echeveria

1. Soak the OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife Bricks and then wedge them into the Acrylic Urn. Push the driftwood firmly into the floral foam and glue in place if necessary for added security. The driftwood topiary trunk must be firmly anchored into the floral foam. Cover the floral foam with Moss by pinning into place with Mossing Pins. 2. Soak the OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife Cone and, starting at the bottom of the cone, add the Blue Pine. Clean and remove the needles from the base of the Pine stem to ensure firm insertion into the floral foam. Work up the OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife Cone, tapering the outline to follow the contours of the shape. 3. Make two bows with organza ribbon and add to the top of the driftwood. Wind Aluminium Wire around the top of the driftwood to make a long spear and then push it firmly into the centre of the OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife Cone. The base of the OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife Cone should rest onto the ribbon bows. Secure with glue if necessary. Trim the tree with glittered Roses, Pine Cones and Echeveria, using a Star Wand as a tree topper. Finish with a group of glittered Roses at the base of the topiary tree.

FROSTY DAYS Creativity is thinking in a different direction, often its just using everyday items in a distinctive or different way. It’s what makes professional florists great designers and increases profitability. Using inexpensive Cupressus to create icy spheres is a fabulously simple and cost effective way to make Christmas decorations. Made on OASIS® Floral Foam Netted Spheres means they take only minutes to make, and will last throughout the season giving exceptional value for money.

Sundries

12cm oasis® floral 10mm White Beads foam netted sphere

Green Mossing Twine

oasis® holiday snow spray

Flowers and Foliage chamaecyparis lawsoniana – cupressus

Designer Tips • frost the Beads and cupressus with a light coating of oasis® holiday snow spray. • Using long lasting foliage such as cupressus means these frosty spheres will last throughout the christmas festivities. • Make a selection of different sized oasis® floral foam netted spheres and hang in the window for a great window display.

FESTIVE FIREPLACE The fireplace is the centre of a room and where the festive focus will be at Christmas. The mantelshelf has always been a traditional place for decoration at Yuletide and an OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Netted Garland is perfect to create a lengthy arrangement of seasonal flowers and foliage. Long lasting fragrant Pine and evergreens mingle with Pine Cones, Cinnamon Sticks and flowers to give the scent of Christmas and make a lush seasonal statement. Sundries

OASIS® Ideal Floral Pine Cones Foam Netted Garland

Cinnamon Sticks

Red Metallic Wire

Red Bullion Wire

Red Organza Fabric

Flowers and Foliage cymbidium orchids rose ‘passion’ hypericum ‘Jade flair’ abies procera – Blue pine

Designer Tips • Make extensions to fall either side of the fireplace with pine cones attached to Bullion Wire. • Take care to keep all materials well away from naked flames. a low hung garland above a fire could be a fire risk. • protect the mantelshelf with a strong polythene liner.

WINTER WARMERS ✁

Four winning ways with wreaths using OASIS® NAYLORBASE® 12” Rings.

Woodland

citrus Greeting

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Winter White

half Measures

Woodland

sundries

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citrus Greeting

OASIS® NAYLORBASE® 12” Ring

Pine Cones

OASIS® NAYLORBASE® 12” Ring

Gold Hexanet

Stub Wire

Lotus Heads

Designer Tips

Stub Wire

Designer Tips

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Dust the Asparagus fern with a light coating of OASIS® Spray Colour or buy ready coloured fern for a festive feel.

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Make a base of long lasting Blue Pine well in advance before adding any decorations or flowers when required.

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Make the flower and foliage base first then overlay with a cage of twigs secured firmly in place.

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Soak the OASIS® NAYLORBASE® 12” Ring in a Floralife® Flower Food solution to aid flower life.

flowers & foliage

flowers & foliage Senecio Rowleyanus Abies procera – Blue Pine Dried Orange slices

Rose ‘Avalanche’ Spray Rose ‘Vivianne’ Gypsophila

half Measures

Winter White

sundries

OASIS® NAYLORBASE® 12” Ring

6mm Round Headed Pearl Pins

Red Bullion Wire

Red Cord

Designer Tips

Silver Bullion Wire

Clear Crackle Fishbowl

10mm Silver Round Headed Pearl Pins

Stachys Leaves

Designer Tips

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Cut an OASIS® NAYLORBASE® 12” Ring in half to form the unique half moon shape.

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Ensure the cord hanger is firmly fixed into the floral foam for security when hanging.

flowers & foliage Spray Rose ‘Piano Freiland’ Rose ‘Red Naomi’

OASIS® NAYLORBASE® 12” Ring

Eryngium ‘Orion’ Asparagus Sprengeri Twigs or roots

Cotinus Leaves Echeviera

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Roll Stachys Leaves and thread them onto Bullion Wire to garland the arrangement

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Fill the Clear Crackle Glass Fishbowl with shimmering baubles and then sit the decorated OASIS® NAYLORBASE® 12” Ring on the top of the vase.

flowers & foliage Rose ‘Avalanche’ Spray Rose ‘Luviana’

A selection of Echeveria and succulents

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Hypericum ‘Jade Flair’ Eyrngium ‘Orion’ Asparagus setaceus

Silver Bullion Wire

AUTUMN GLORY Autumn bursts into a flower shop in early September and giving the shop an autumnal make over will inspire the customers to step inside. The riches of autumn come together in a rustic basket arrangement perfect for seasonal everyday gifting whatever the occasion. The flowers are arranged in OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife and, with the use of Floralife® Care and Handling products, this will ensure maximum lasting pleasure for customers.

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oasis® ideal floral foam Maxlife

square farmhouse Basket with Green Bow

pine cones

Flowers and Foliage euphorbia fulgens rose ‘cherry Brandy’ hypericum ‘Jade flair’ Galax leaves aralia leaves Dried fruits

Designer Tips ●

all you need to know about flower care and maximising the life of your flowers is available at www.floralife.com

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When using fresh fruit make sure they are raised above the damp floral foam to avoid premature rotting.

TRICK OR TREAT It’s the time of year to get out the broomstick and dust down the wand.

Spooks, witches and evil spirits abound on this busy night for wizardry and capturing the fun of trick or treat with spooky in house specials will delight customers and witches alike. Using OASIS® Floral Cupcakes means quick and easy spellbinding arrangements can be made in no time at all without any need for hocus pocus. Just throw in a few spiders and BOO! These are treats with clever tricks. Ingredients

Designer Tips

8cm oasis® floral cupcakes

orange oasis® spray colour

Topping chrysanthemum Bloom ‘shamrock’ chrysanthemum Bloom ‘astro’ chrysanthemum ‘feeling Green’ hydrangea ‘Magical emerald’ leucospermum ‘fuzzy Wuzzy’

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no need for costly foliage when assembling oasis® floral cupcakes. one or two choice flowers will give more profit.

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create a trick or treat table by the shop door, add some free sweet treats for children and oasis® floral cupcake treats for their Mum’s to buy.

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Use decorative paper to create unique skirt designs and seasonal picks as fun toppers.

CHRISTMAS CRACKERS Here’s a popping new idea from OASIS® Floral Products to go crackers about this Christmas. The new OASIS® Floral Creations Christmas Crackers in red and gold are real winners. Ideal for gifts, corporate functions or table arrangements they come complete with OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife sitting in a central container. These OASIS® Floral Creations Christmas Crackers will pull in the sales and send profits off with a bang. Sundries

Designer Tips

Red OASIS® Floral Creations Christmas Cracker

Regal Red Flower Glitter and Flower Glue

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Remove the plastic container holding the OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife from the cracker and soak the floral foam in a Floralife® Flower Food solution. Drain and dry the plastic container before putting it back into position.

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OASIS® Floral Creations Christmas Crackers make great gifts throughout the year especially as New Year gifts and party treats.

Red Aluminium Wire

Flowers & Foliage Rose ‘Naomi’ Gerbera Eryngium ‘Orion’ Ilex variegated - Holly Galax Leaves

New logo and packaging as FRESH as the flowers it feeds.

FREE 5L container of Floralife® 200 Storage and Transport Solution For a FREE 5L container of Floralife® 200 Storage and Transport Solution send 10 barcodes* from any products in the 5 Steps to Fresh range along with your name and address to: UK Marketing, Smithers-Oasis UK Ltd, Freepost NT2999, Washington, Tyne and Wear, NE38 7BR Wholesale Value £25.00

*please note that this oﬀer only applies to products in the 5 steps to fresh and does not include floralife® leafshine.

New improved floralife® flower care products