Spending two days checking out the creations of Mario Fernandez of Belle Fleur has definitely inspired me. This guy knows how to think outside the box and find new uses for has-been supplies. The first day, he shared some of his designs and tips for incorporating new foam and wire products.
He coined this little gem the "Mario-labra." The candle holders were created using MegaWire. Clever? I think yes! I'm starting to see decorative wire in a whole new, purposeful way!
Depending on one's definition of purposeful that is....
The second day we got our hands on the goods! Using a wire collar (by Lomey), we designed a bridal bouquet. Not gonna lie, when I first saw that blob of twisted wire it went against every twig and vine accenting bone in my body, buuuuuuttttt the final effect won me over!
In fact I liked this little fancy so much, I had to pose her for a few shots...
Learned a new use for that acetate ribbon that everyone loves so much...
Pick a couple colors in two different widths (or whatever works for the size of your container), wrap a piece of precut foam and secure the ribbon with a pin. Suprisingly, the ribbon holds up really well under water. I'm thinking a few more pins arranged in a table number or monogram would look pretty swell.
I have to say, I think my favorite part of the class was getting a chance to chat it up with other special events florist and watch so many different styles at work. We all had access to the same materials and had roughly the same amount of time to whip up a design. In the words of one Mario Fernandez, "It's like cooking. Same tomato, same pasta, same onion. It's all in the way you combine and present those elements that sets you apart." Check out a few of my favorite variations....
