ISSUE 14
fresh
Products, news and ideas to help create inspirational floral arrangements
Distributed to the United Kingdom and Ireland
the CHOICE of PROFESSIONALS brand
FLORAL PRODUCTS
Designed for Maximum Flower Life
freshtalk What is available in your shop for these regulars? Are there made up designs that stand out from the crowd, or just hand-tied bunches that they can get from any supermarket and probably buy cheaper? It’s a fact that when customers have less money to spend they want to part with it wisely, and they become more choosey. They want a gift that reflects individuality and personality. This is why flower arrangements are back in fashion, and florists are seizing the opportunity to use their creativity to provide customers with specialist designs that others cannot compete with. It’s not about churning out the same design time after time, one-size fits all does not work any more. A flower arrangement is less time consuming to make, just soak the floral foam, pop it in a container and you are away adding the flowers, no fiddling with tissue paper, cellophane or making bows. Check out pages 8 and 9 for Grab and Go Gifts. Now with the advantage of OASIS® Brand Floral Foam Maxlife, flowers last longer than ever in flower arrangements. Plus take a look at page 7 where fresh thinking by the acclaimed duo Amanda Canning and Barbara Monks from the Flower and Plant Works in Runcorn means floral foam is being used in hand-tied bouquets also, and the benefits are brilliant! OASIS® Floral Products are always on the look out for new goodies that will inspire and help florists in their business, and the New Year brings exciting new products. The new Heart Card Holder is one that will be a great accessory for St. Valentine’s Day, together with the new luxurious Rose Organza and Rose Non-Woven Wrap. A new range of Wooden Baby Planters and Picks to match will be at the wholesalers shortly together with the exciting Diamond Sensation Wire and Myrtle Wire that florists will love. The new OASIS® NAYLORBASE® Granny frame will be invaluable for funeral designs, and the OASIS® Florette Grande, OASIS® Dekorette Grande and OASIS® Dekorette Maxi will be great tools for larger floral designs.
OASIS® Ambassador Neil Whittaker is one of only a handful of UK floral designers who has stood the test of time. Other floral designers fall by the way side, or run out of steam after a few years, but even after thirty years in the business Neil continues to push the boundaries of design and technique to its limit. A born competitor, ambitious and focused, he constantly challenges himself to produce truly individual designs in impeccable style. Neil’s influence is seen everywhere in the UK, he is a much sought after professional floral demonstrator, and his workshops are renowned for helping florists move forward to develop modern techniques and embrace new designs.
Neil Whittake r
Florists always gear up in preparation for the peak periods of St. Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, but it’s worth thinking about how you prepare for everyday customers. What’s on offer for the customer who rushes in at the end of an ordinary day looking for a gift?
Neil’s success as a floral competitor is well known. Teleflower Florist of the Year, second in the world Teleflower Cup in Manilla, three RHS Chelsea Gold medals, the RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year 2009, fourth in the Europa Cup in Slovenia in 2007, seventh in the Interflora World Cup in Shanghai in 2010, current British Florist Association Florist of the Year, current Interflora Florist of the Year, and now third this year in the Europa Cup in the Czech Republic. What a fabulous record of achievements! When Neil is not jetting around the world he is happy to be with his partner Anthony Williams working at their shop The Design Element in Irlam, Manchester. Here they cater for a wide range of customers from signature designs to small weekly grave flowers all styled with panache and cheerful customer service, nothing is too large or too small to receive their specialist care.
From everyone at OASIS® Floral Products we wish you a very happy and prosperous 2012.
Neil says, ‘As an OASIS® Ambassador I am privileged to work with the top quality products that OASIS® Floral Products offer. It’s exciting to be able to help florists and tell them about OASIS® Brand Floral Foam Maxlife, and the benefits it will bring to their business.’
© Smithers-Oasis UK Ltd 2012. 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
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The Lucky Rabbit Designed for Maximum Flower Life
As the Year of the Rabbit draws to a close and the Chinese New Year on 23rd January 2012 heralds the start of the Year of the Dragon, it’s worth remembering that flowers play an important decorative role in this spring festival. Promoting Chinese New Year with special table arrangements and gifts for customers made in traditional Chinese colours could provide extra profits in the quiet month of January.
FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE Chrysanthemum Spray ‘Delianne Yellow’ Carnations Red ‘Nelson’ Spray Carnations Red ‘Brunello’ SUNDRIES OASIS® FOAM FRAMES® Raised Shape Sitting Rabbit Red Poly Ribbon Satin 50cm x 1.8mm Stub Wires Black Beads
OASIS® FOAM FRAMES® Raised Shape Sitting Rabbit
Red Poly Ribbon Satin
50cm x 1.8mm Stub Wires
fresh designer tips
Design by Neil Whittaker
• Thread the beads onto Stub Wires to make whiskers. • The Rabbit frame comes with it’s own eyes and nose kit.
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MADE I MINUTN 15 ES
T KEA Designed for Maximum Flower Life
Easy crowd pleaser designs that take minutes
These St. Valentine’s Day arrangements are quicker to make than a hand-tied design, and a whole lot more stylish. Simple to construct and easy to transport they can be prepared well in advance using OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife, plus they show the exceptional skills of a florist. Loving designs don’t get easier than this.
OASIS® Premium Floral Foam Maxlife
Aluminum Wire
Diamond Heart Pins
Valentine Ribbon
OASIS® Floral Adhesive Tube
Acrylic Designer Cylinder
Design by Neil Whittaker
FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE Cymbidium Orchid Anthuriums - Tropical Phormium Tenax leaves Moss Hedera
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SUNDRIES OASIS® Premium Floral Foam Maxlife Black Acrylic Designer Cylinder Red Aluminum Wire Red Diamond Heart Pins Valentine Ribbon OASIS® Floral Adhesive Tube
fresh designer tips • Use one or two statement leaves for maximum impact. • For flower arrangements with heavy stems you can always count on OASIS® Premium Floral Foam Maxlife.
AWAYS Designed for Maximum Flower Life
to make are essential at peak selling times.
OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife
Clear Mirror Cube
Diamond Pins
Mitsumata Branches
OASIS® Floral Adhesive Tube
Bullion Wire
IN 15 MADE TES MINU
OASIS® Floralife® Leafshine
SUNDRIES OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife Clear 10cm Mirror Cube Gold Bullion Wire Black Mitsumata Branches OASIS® Floral Adhesive Tube Diamond Pins OASIS® Floralife® Leafshine
fresh designer tips • To avoid damage to the flowers, cut the diamond beads from the pins and glue in place.
Design by Neil Whittaker
FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE Anthurium – Tropical Rose ‘Naomi’ Carnations Red ‘Nelson’ Hedera Erecta Rubus tricolour
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Designed for Maximum Flower Life
Favourite Mum’s
A charming, slightly vintage look with a modern twist is a recipe for success on Mother’s Day.
Design by Neil Whittaker
Team the look with Mum’s favourite pink and lilac colour harmony. Use OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife for longer life, and keep the flowers short to aid longevity, and you have a sure fire winner.
OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife 6
FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE Rose ‘Pacific Blue’ Trachelium ‘Blue Lake Michigan’ Carnations – Pink Hedera trails SUNDRIES OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife Lilac Round Tinware Tub with Handles Mixed Lilacs Midelino Sticks Lilac Pepe Cones 25mm Pale Pink and Lilac Riviera Organza Ribbon Lilac Metallic Paper Covered Wire Lengths
fresh designer tips • Soak the OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife in a solution of water and OASIS® Floralife® Flower Food.
Round Tinware Tub with Handles
Mixed Midelino Sticks Pepe Cones
Riviera Organza Ribbon
Metallic Paper Covered Wire Lengths
Designed for Maximum Flower Life
freshthinking INSPIRED BY YOU...
Hand-tied in OASIS® Brand Floral Foam Maxlife
freshthinking idea inspired by Amanda Canning & Barbara Monks from Flower & Plant Works, Runcorn
Hand-tied/ Aquapac in water
The best skill and knowledge when it comes to floristry is from you the florist. Down on the ground floor you are the experts in creativity, techniques and great ideas that’s why we rely on you at OASIS® Floral Products, for feedback on our range of floral foam items and sundries. Listening, supporting and working with you to help your business grow is one of our core aims. Now it’s your turn to show us your imaginative solutions to everyday problems using our products. If you have a great idea to improve sales, increase profitability or an inspirational recipe using OASIS® Floral Products in a novel way, and for the benefit of florists, then we want to hear about it. Our website www.oasisfloral.com has all of the details. Clever florists Amanda Canning and Barbara Monks from Flower & Plant Works, Runcorn kick start Fresh Thinking… Inspired By You with a corker of an idea. When making a
hand-tied bouquet, arrange the flowers in ⅓ of a brick of OASIS® Brand Floral Foam Maxlife and then place the floral foam in the cellophane water bubble, this will create a fuller look than in a normal aquapac. The bouquet looks larger, the customer is happy, the florist ecstatic. Brilliant! Plus there are additional enormous benefits: • Increases profitability, designs look more using less stems. • Cuts down on foliage costs. • Aids delivery, the floral foam gives added stability to the aquapac. • Increases longevity with the use of OASIS® Brand Floral Foam Maxlife. This is your chance to shine, so visit www.oasisfloral.com and help your fellow florists to a more profitable future.
Amanda Canning and Barbara Monks of Flower and Plant Works, Runcorn are already making up their designs using OASIS® Brand Floral Foam Maxlife. They say: “One of the great things about it is if you get interrupted, you can stop what you are doing and go straight back to it unlike a hand-tied. They are simple to create and it is a florist only product.” Barbara, a trained botanist, realised the benefits the properties of OASIS® Brand Floral Foam Maxlife could bring to their designs, not just in maximising the volume but also in aiding flower longevity. They both agree: “Times are hard for the industry and we believe we need to support each other by sharing good ideas. This has worked for us and it could also work for you.” 7
&
Designed for Maximum Flower Life
GRAB GO GIFTS The pace of life these days means that customers are always in a hurry. It’s important that when they rush into your flower shop for a floral gift that there are a selection of made up arrangements ready to grab and go.
Gift arrangements should be on display all year round not just at peak periods, otherwise sales are lost and the probability is that the customer will never ever return. Offering more in creativity and knowledge than supermarkets is important. This is why flower arrangements made in OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife will not only live as long as the supermarket bunches, but be inspiring and unique gifts that only florists can produce. Try out these two designs made with the same flowers and container, yet they are totally different in style.
FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE Asiatic Lily ‘Vermeer’ Roses ‘Aqua’ Chamelaucium - Wax Flower ‘Blondie’ Aspidistra Phormium Tenax Eucalyptus ‘Baby Blue’ Xanthorrhoea - Steel Grass
Design by Neil Whittaker
SUNDRIES OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife Cerise Pink Acrylic Designer Cube Gold Bullion Wire Bleached White Mitsumata Branches Green Pinholder OASIS® Fix Adhesive Tack
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Design by Neil Whittaker
Designed for Maximum Flower Life
OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife
Acrylic Designer Cube
Bullion Wire
OASIS® Fix Adhesive Tack
Mitsumata Branches
Pinholder
fresh designer tips • Cover the OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife with Aspidistra or Phormium leaves decorated with gold Bullion Wire. Then add gold Bullion Wire to the outer container for a dual effect.
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Designed for Maximum Flower Life
THE
Proposal
OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife
Square Acrylic Bowl
Cord
Diamond Pins
There will never be a refusal when the diamond ring is given in such a stylish fashion. Pin Rose petals using Diamond Pins into OASIS® Floral Foam Maxlife to create a Carmen Rose effect cushion for the ring box to sit in. Cover the rest of the floral foam in Waxflower and decorate with Heart Pins for a truly romantic feel.
fresh designer tips • Cut the OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife to size and cover with the Waxflower before inserting it into the Square Acrylic Bowl. Heart Pins FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE Chamelaucium - Wax Flower ‘Blondie’ Rose Petals ‘Naomi’
Design by Neil Whittaker
SUNDRIES OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife Clear Square Acrylic Bowl Red Heart Pins Diamond Pins Dark Red Cord
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Designed for Maximum Flower Life
SUNDRIES OASIS® Mini Deco Ivory Galaxy Non Woven Wrap Black Kraft Paper 2mm Dark Red Cord Red Diamond Heart Pins Red Aluminum Wire OASIS® Floral Adhesive Tube Green Lacquered Stub Wire
FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE Red Rose ‘Naomi’ Hedera Erecta
OASIS® Mini Deco
Diamond Heart Pins
Design by Neil Whittaker
Green Lacquered Stub Wire
OASIS® Floral Adhesive Tube
Too good to
Unwrap
Galaxy Non Woven Wrap
2mm Cord
Kraft Paper
Aluminum Wire
Lets hope the present inside is as good as the gift-wrapping because this ultra glam gift presentation will delight any Valentine. Unique floral gift-wrapping is yet another decorating service to offer customers. With many florists already selling gift lines, such as chocolates and wines, here is an additional quick and easy method to more profits. Follow these easy steps to create unique gift-wrapping.
HOW TO... STEP 1 Cover the box neatly with Black Kraft Paper making neat envelope ends and sealing with OASIS® Floral Adhesive. Make a neat band of Galaxy Non Woven Wrap, and glue down the centre length of the box. Use dark red Cord lengthwise, and then across the width, one-third from the end of the box. Secure in place.
STEP 2 Wet the OASIS® Mini Deco then push it firmly onto the box, and if necessary for added security use OASIS® Floral Adhesive. Cut small squares of Galaxy Non Woven Wrap and pinch together to form rosettes. Make seven rosettes using a Stub Wire at the base to secure each one.
STEP 3 Add the rosettes to form a frill around the bottom of the OASIS® Mini Deco. Insert trails of Hedera into the floral foam to form an elongated shape, cover any exposed floral foam with Hedera leaves. Take Aluminum Wire and make three swirls to encircle the design. Place one special Rose into the centre. Cut the red Diamond Hearts from the pin and glue one to the centre of the Rose then decorate the box as desired with the remaining heart pins. 11
Designed for Maximum Flower Life
Simply
Spring
It’s cool to be square when it comes to table decorations, and the OASIS® Table Deco Quadro makes life easy for the florist. With its square plastic base filled with OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife it’s strong and versatile. This simple design is made with massed Helleborus surrounded by Stachys Lanata leaves, and with a shimmer of clear Pearls on Wire to give a slightly frosty look. It’s the perfect antidote for the dull months of January and February.
OASIS® Table Deco Quadro
fresh designer tips • Glue the preserved Stachys Leaves to the plastic lip of the OASIS® Table Deco Quadro using the OASIS® Floral Adhesive Tube. FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE Helleborus Corsicus SUNDRIES OASIS® Table Deco Quadro Clear on Silver Pearls on Wire Preserved Stachys Lanata leaves - coming soon from OASIS® Floral Products OASIS® Floral Adhesive Tube 12
Design Courtesy of Smithers-Oasis Belgium
Clear on Silver Pearls on Wire
Designed for Maximum Flower Life
FRESHTHINKING Innovative design ideas with customer appeal.
One thing is for sure you can always rely on top trumps designer Neil Whittaker to pull a unique yet saleable arrangement out of the bag. This design made using OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife Spheres is guaranteed to become a modern classic that will grace many homes and venues in the coming year.
fresh designer tips • Use a narrow off cut of an OASIS® FOAM FRAMES® Designer Sheet that would otherwise be wasted. Remove the floral foam top and use only the base.
Butterflies on Wire
OASIS® Floral Adhesive Tube
OASIS® FOAM FRAMES® Hot Melt Glue Gun and Glue Sticks Designer Sheet
Metallic Wire
Flower Glitter and Flower Glue
• Position the OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife Spheres and then run Stub Wires through the base from either side securing the Spheres to the Stub Wires for firm anchorage.
FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE Chrysanthemum ‘II Mondo’ Phalaenopsis ‘Madrid’ Salix SUNDRIES 12cm and 16cm OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife Spheres OASIS® FOAM FRAMES® Designer Sheet Pink and Dark Pink Feather Butterflies on Wire Pink Metallic Wire Pearl Jewel Flower Glitter and Flower Glue Hot Melt Glue Gun and Glue sticks OASIS® Floral Adhesive Tube Birch Sheets
Design by Neil Whittaker
OASIS® Ideal Floral Foam Maxlife Spheres
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Designed for Maximum Flower Life
Design by Neil Whittaker
HOW TO:
STEP 1 - Make a paper template of the bone to fit onto the OASIS® FOAM FRAMES® Designer Sheet. Place the template onto the OASIS® FOAM FRAMES® Designer Sheet, and mark around the edge with the base of a knife.
GIVE A DOG A BONE
STEP 2 - Use a saw to make a sharp neat cut around the marked shape. Cut out a sharper V at each end of the bone with a knife. Chamfer the edges to make a beveled shape, rubbing away any sharp edges with your hands. Pour water over the bone, without over soaking.
It’s a sad day when a beloved pet dies and a cherished family member is lost forever.
Pet cemeteries are a growing business throughout the UK, and what better way to say goodbye to a faithful companion than a tribute designed to express thanks for a lifetime’s devotion. Here’s how to make the tribute.
OASIS® FOAM FRAMES® Designer Sheet
Blue Annealed Stub Vinyl Letters Wires
FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE Chrysanthemum Spray ‘Euro white’
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Poly Ribbon Satin
SUNDRIES OASIS® FOAM FRAMES® Designer Sheet 24” x 12” Red Poly Ribbon Satin Vinyl Letters Blue Annealed Stub Wires
STEP 3 - Start massing the white double Chrysanthemum by making the outline first. The Chrysanthemum edge should cover the base of the OASIS® FOAM FRAMES® Designer Sheet. Push the stems well into the floral foam for security, and make a compact and even base ensuring the shape is not lost. Stick OASIS® Vinyl Letters onto Poly Ribbon to make the name of the dog and then secure the ribbon banner with Stub Wires to the centre of the bone.
Designed for Maximum Flower Life
TWIN
As a memorial on St. Valentine’s Day this evocative Double Heart will convey the emotions of hearts entwined and love immortal. Overlaid with a webbing of filigree glue, these hearts are a meaningful and nostalgic tribute.
SUNDRIES OASIS® FOAM FRAMES® Double Solid Heart 40mm Lilac Riviera Organza Ribbon Lilac Mixed Midelino Sticks Silver Bullion Wire OASIS® Floral Adhesive Tube High Melt Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Design by Neil Whittaker
Hearts
FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE Roses ‘Pacific Blue’ Anenome ‘Mona Lisa Blue’ Eustoma ‘Cari Lavender’ Gypsophila – Million Stars Lavender Flat Moss
fresh designer tips • Plait the Riviera Organza Ribbon for a luxurious edging. • To make the glue overlay spray a ceramic tile with water, and then make a web of glue over the wet tile with the High Melt Glue Gun. Once the glue is dry the webbing will peal off easily from the wet tile. Place the glue webbing over the heart and secure with small amounts of OASIS® Floral Adhesive.
OASIS® FOAM FRAMES® Double Solid Heart
40mm Riviera Organza Ribbon
Mixed Midelino Sticks
Bullion Wire
OASIS® Floral Adhesive Tube
Hot Melt Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
15
NEW
Designed for maximum flower life
© Smithers-Oasis UK Ltd 2012. 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
Up to 50% more thanks
Appreciation lasts longer with OASIS® Floral Foam Maxlife With new OASIS® Floral Foam Maxlife, flowers are proven to live longer than any previous floral foam and as long, if not longer than flowers in a vase. It maximises the lifespan of a variety of flowers, even Gerbera. It prevents early browning, wilting, petal drop and bent neck. Flowers look better, for much longer. You’ll see.
SEEING IS BELIEVING - Visit www.oasisfloral.com to view inspirational gift arrangements.