Creating With Silk Flowers Site

Silk Flowers are a great way to make your dining room table look great all the time. I recently bought a beautiful silk tulip arrangement. The arrangement is 30” high and fills the center of the dining table perfectly.

The best part is most people think it is absolutely real. When I tell them it is a fake flower arrangement they don’t believe me until they smell it. The arrangement is full of white French tulips in a glass vase with Faux water. The arrangement was nicely arranged out of the box. I simply unwrapped it and put it on the table.

Maintenance is simple, no watering. About once a week I use a feather duster on it. I read that I could also use compressed air if I am careful. This arrangement has added a lot of beauty to the room. I am thinking of getting a few more so I can change them around.

Quality silk arrangements are not cheap. This was just over $200 but I did shop around and found that cheaper versions look fake. That may be fine for a corner in an office but in a prominent place like a dining room, a high quality silk arrangement is the best option.

Lastly, I was pleased to find out that silk flowers are not made of silk. Most silk flowers are made of synthetics so they last longer and look more realistic. Add a touch of beauty to your dining area with low maintenance Silk Flower Arrangements.

Silk Flower Stems are a versatile medium to decorate with. With an abundance of color - you can find a use for these in every room. Here are some ideas to get you started. I think you’ll see that once you get started, you’ll be able to add even more to the list.

• Entry way. Start with a very tall ceramic vase with a small opening. Use a tall green grass bush for accent (not to much) then throw in a 2-3 tall single silk stems (sunflowers and large Calla Lily work great)
  1. Dining room - Long Skinny Table. Take a bundle of flowers, tulips, Gerbera Daisies and roses work best. Arrange them so the heads are all at different heights, symmetry is nice but not necessary. Trim the bottom and wrap with floral tape. Take a ½” ribbon and wrap it 2-3 times and time in a small bow.
  2. Kitchen wall. Find a small wall vase, they com in glass, wire or ceramic. Any will work. Add 2-3 small stems, some like Silk Bouvardia Stems or Silk Freesia Stems would work nicely. Trim and shape so they fan out. On the wall side of the vase add some greenery like Artificial Maiden Hair Fern. Arrange so the Greenery works like a back drop.
  3. Simple and Elegant Table Top. Here’s the easiest of all. Find a colored glass vase, and fill it with tulips or roses of a similar color but 2-3 shades darker.
  4. Side Table - Living Room. Find a short vase. Fill to overflowing with Silk Cosmos stems, add just a hint of greenery, like spider grass.
  5. Drop in Bouquets - Kitchen glass. You can buy a drop-in bouquet ready to go or you can make one in a few minutes. Take multiple colors of the same Silk Flower Stems, typically about the same height, the stems should create a cluster of about 1″-2″. Shape them so they look full not crowded. Drop them in a simple glass and set on a Kitchen table.
  6. Harvest basket. Find a handled open flower basket in a light color. Lay 6-12 long tall sprays like a Dog’s Tail Spray. On top of that lay some long stem Silk Roses or Tulips, sprinkle some small white flower heads on top of that like a dogwoods spray.
  7. Breakfast nook - table. Small Bud vase of clear glass. Add a small single Silk flower stem like a daisy or a Silk Hyacinth Stems. You can drop this in the vase or if you are really a detail person you may want to put it in Acrylic Water.
  8. Guestroom - bed. These beds are rarely used and most these rooms double as an office. Most people fill the bed with throw pillows. I say lose a few pillows- add a small bundle of gerbera daisies with a bow wrapped around them.
  9. The fireplace. Fireplaces are usually the most difficult to decorate because they are either long and narrow mantles to decorate, or tall skinny sides. Most people fill the sides with fireplace tools but the mantles are usually cluttered. Take some fake holly sprays and add a 1/2 dozen stems to the top, add a little ribbon and your done.

Silk flowers are not what they used to be! Back in the Cheap silk flowers can be spotted from across the room. They look fake and plasticy. But silk flowers have come a long way! Even modestly priced flowers look authentic. Often it’s hard to tell the difference between real flowers and premium silk flowers.

Are there any “real” silk flowers anymore? Yes but they are rare and fading fast. The reason is that new poly-blends hold their shape better and can be made more realistic looking than “silk” flowers.

The term “silk flowers” has become a generic term and is used to talk about almost any fake flower or plant. Most people can visually see the difference in quality but there is an even simpler indicator for quality and that is price. Quality silk flowers look much more authentic and they cost more because of it. In stems, good quality stems will start in the $2 per stem range traditionally (unless it is a small stem). Floral Arrangements are usually over $40 for real looking flowers. Cheap plastic flowers have their place, but maybe not in the dining or living room.

How much do they cost?

As with most things, you get what you pay for. The prices of silk flowers will vary according to size, quality of the silk, and workmanship. If you are looking to bring the most realistic silk flowers into your home, be prepared to spend some money. A nice, realistic drop-in bouquet will cost you around $40.00. A large arrangement may cost around $125.00-300.

Why Purchase Silk Flowers?

Like fresh flowers, silk flowers come in many colors, sizes, and shapes. If you can name a flower, there is likely a silk flower duplicate on the market. Why should I purchase silk flowers, when I can but real thing instead?

Silk flowers are a great way to brighten up your home or office with color!

How many of us have ledges, cabinets, and big landings by stairs or even very high ceilings that we just do not know what to do with? Pictures and framed art fill in certain gaps nicely but often serve to further accentuate the size of those large empty spaces. Silk flower arrangements are a great way to add that perfect finishing touch. In this series of articles we will explore some different ideas for how to enhance any space using silk flower arrangements.

In todays world there are many choices of silk flower arrangements that can provide just the right solution when you need to add depth, volume or just bring the height down to a manageable level without eliminating spaciousness. Here are some examples:

Bedroom Armoires: Consider silk flower arrangements such as miniature topiary gardens. With so many to choose from, selecting two or three of different shape and size and possibly color will add some delicate warmth to your special room.

Large Entertainment Centers: Accessorizing according to the shape of your space is important here. Assuming that your entertainment center is a large rectangle, finding silk flower arrangements that are potted similarly but in small scale, is a great way to decorate without giving off a clumsy feeling that something is where it does not belong. Place large rectangular silk flower arrangements in the middle or off to one side of center. On either side of your silk flower arrangement or on opposite ends of the center, add some tall black and white photos in elegant frames or some large chunky candlesticks. The closer you keep to the actual shape of your space - in this case, square or rectangular - the higher the payoff.

Ledges: Many homes but especially newer homes with architectural appeal, often have cut out ledges that serve as a window from room to room, yet people often don’t know what to do with these ledges. Finding those perfect silk flower arrangements will quickly turn these odd spots into favorite focal points. Be sure your silk flower arrangements are potted in something elegant and bold enough to stand on their own. You could also use ledge gardens containing ferns, laurel, wild grasses, eucalyptus, or ivy potted in beautiful urns or decorative ceramic pots. If you have enough space left, you might also add a few photos with high quality frame work.

Artificial Flowers are great elements to add to just about any space. Be creative. Do not be intimidated.

In part two of this series we will talk about some other hard to decorate spaces including High Ceilings, Large Stairway Landings and Tops of Bookshelves. Remember…

Decorating does not have to be intimidating but really should be fun. Experiment with different ideas. You will find that using combinations of beautiful silk flower arrangements, ledge gardens, small artificial plants, artificial grasses and greenery, decorative wreaths and even artificial trees will add just the right touch to your special spaces.

Silk flower arrangements are fast becoming the standard for home decorating. Why? An increasingly broad selection of realistic, beautiful pieces that are designed to last for years is causing more and more people to opt for silk flower arrangements over fresh flowers when decorating their homes.

With incredibly lifelike and realistic flowers, today’s silk floral arrangements are designed to look beautiful from the beginning and to last for many years to come.

Some people though still have pause when it comes to considering investing in silk arrangements because of some stereotypes that silk floral arrangements have gotten over the years, many of these stereotypes are unwarranted and were based on poorer quality silk flower arrangements that were made in years past when manufacturing techniques were not as sophisticated.

There are many advantages of today’s silk arrangements when purchasing flowers for home decorating. The advantages of silk floral arrangements include the following:

Realistic: The silks that were made 10 and 20 years ago or more were of very poor quality and bore little if any resemblance to their real counter parts but in the ensuing years artificial flower arranging took a giant leap forward starting in the early 1970s with the use of plastics and high-quality synthetic fibers. As technology and manufacturing techniques improved, these materials enabled manufacturers to create silk flower arrangements with greater botanical accuracy than ever before. Today there is a wide selection available of silk flower arrangements that are extremely realistic.

So much so that reports of gardeners mistake their clients silk flower arrangements for real ones and actually water them! Finding beautiful silk flower arrangements, while not always easy, is much easier today because of the internet. Today there are sites that specialize in selling only the highest quality silk floral arrangements at the best prices and often with free shipping.

Low Maintenance: Many people have come to believe that silk arrangements add to their cleaning chores in their home. While this is perhaps true on some level it’s really a misnomer. Silk floral arrangements are far less work than their real counterparts. When you consider that real flowers drop their petals, need their stalks clipped and their vases refilled, not to mention the fact that they will soon die and need to be replaced (thus starting the whole process of maintaining them over again) silk arrangements are far less work.

Few silk arrangements really need to be dusted more than twice a year and often less than that. But here’s a secret that many people don’t know. There are silk floral arrangements that are manufactured today to actually be dust resistant. By coating the flower petals and foliage with a special coating, the small pores that used to collect dust now actually repel it thus rendering these silk arrangements nearly maintenance free. The only thing they need is a quick wipe or blast of air to dislodge anything that is sitting on the surface. No more washing, scrubbing or other cleaning that used to target the deeper pores of the silk flower petals.

Long Lasting: Perhaps the greatest advantage is that today’s silk arrangements is that they are designed to be long-lasting. With UV coatings and increasingly better manufacturing processes your silk floral arrangements will last for many years to come and will maintain their original beauty. The investment you make in them will pay for itself many times over versus buying and replacing fresh flowers.

Silk arrangements are an increasingly common choice for today’s discriminating home decorators. Realistic, low maintenance, dust resistant and long lasting characterize this new breed of gorgeous silk floral arrangements.

Silk flower arrangements are a great way to add some color or that perfect touch to a room in need of some class. Amazingly detailed and realistic, today’s silk flower arrangements are a great option for your home decorating needs. In this article series we’ll discuss the important elements to think about when selecting the perfect arrangement.

First you’ll need to consider the room in which you want to put them. Ask yourself some basic questions. What areas of the room need enhancement? Is there a theme or an expression that needs to be enhanced or complimented? What colors are there that need I need to keep in mind when selecting my silk arrangements?

With answers to your first questions in hand, the next thing to consider is the lighting. Is it adequate? Is there any natural light that can be taken advantage of to accentuate the silk floral arrangements? (Natural light always enhances silk arrangements so it’s best to use it whenever possible) If you are in the dining room and are considering selecting your silk arrangements for the dining room table, be sure to choose an arrangement or centerpiece that’s not too long or wide because the affect may be that it disturbs your table environment and is a distraction at dinner time.

Next consider the season your silk floral arrangements will express. Choose your silk arrangements carefully for each season so that they enhance your environment rather than clashing with it. Use bright or warm colors for spring and summer and autumn hues for fall. Red’s work well in winter especially around Christmas time. Keep in mind that most real flowers and plants have a certain look when they’re in season but a different look when they’re not. Buds will be closed for some plants in early spring but will be just about to open in late spring. By summer the flowers will be vibrant but by late summer they will begin to wilt a little and some will begin to fall off.

Now, with the season, lighting, room colors and context in mind, it’s time to shop for the perfect silk flower arrangements for your needs.

Once you’ve found the perfect silk flower arrangements it’s time to decide what container, bowl or stand you want to display your silk flower arrangements in. The best retailers sell their silk floral arrangements with beautiful containers. But if you find the perfect silk arrangement but not in the perfect container then consider something pre-made in ceramic or glass. Choose an item that will blend with your room and your flowers. Also, remember the design elements you are looking for.

In our next installment we’ll look more at containers and how to select them, we’ll talk about protecting your counter top and table surfaces and we’ll discuss more about how to find the widest selection of great silk arrangements with the least effort, at the best prices and we’ll cover credit card fraud online and offline and how to avoid it.

Using silk flowers for your wedding is one idea that you will be glad that you went with. Thought of as a social faux pas in the past, silk flowers are now becoming the choice of many brides not just those worried about cost. Many brides are choosing to use silk flowers in their weddings because it cuts back on the stress and worry before the final days. This is especially true if you are doing your flowers yourself.

When you are thinking of silk flowers on your wedding day, do not think of the ratty flowers at the dollar stores with the misshapen petals or the thread coming undone. Think about high quality silk flowers that truly mimic the look of fresh flowers. These silk flowers have been put together with the care and the study of the real flower to make them look as realistic as possible. Silk wedding flowers give you the beauty of flowers on your wedding day without the fuss.

Where to Find Quality Silk Flowers

The DIYers already know that one of the best places to find beautiful silk flowers is at your local craft or hobby story. Because there are those who dabble in flower arranging, these stores offer a variety of flowers. Some stores even offer classes on arranging flowers or have someone who can make custom arrangements for you. Also, if you are like me, you want to feel and touch the flowers to actually see the quality of what you are getting. You can study them to see how well they can go with your look.

Your local florist is another place where you can get beautiful silk wedding flowers. Many people may want arrangements done for a number of events or their personal space where they don’t want the flowers to die in a few days. Because the florist has the best connections and the expertise on flower arrangements, they are a great resource in finding fabulous silk flowers for your wedding day.

Last but not least is the internet. The internet has many sites that not only offer silks, but packages with them arranged as well. You can get the flowers you want arranged at quite a reasonable price. Silk wedding flowers can even be found on eBay. However, always make sure you find a reputable company that has a reputation of providing quality service. Many sites do show pictures of their arrangements and offer testimonials. If this does not assure you, buy a test bouquet to see if the quality is what you are looking for.

The Advantages of Silk Wedding Flowers

1. They can be done in advance. Although real flowers are very beautiful and breathtaking, they must be done right before the wedding in order to not wilt. If you are a bride on a budget and taking this task on yourself, you may find yourself overwhelmed and stressed during a time that should be fun and relaxing. With silk arrangements, you can arrange them ahead of time which can reduce the stress of the last few days leading up to your wedding. On the day of your wedding, they will still be even more beautiful than the day you bought them.

2. Submerged, they look real. One of the big trends in weddings now is the submerged flower. What is so good about this trend is that you can submerge a silk flower in water and no one will be able to tell if it is real or not. If the flower is submerged in water, all people will see is a beautiful arrangement. No one will actually put their hand in the water to see if the flower is real. Also, being that you need less flowers when doing submerged or floating centerpieces, this saves on money.

3. Allergies are not aggravated. You, your hubby to be, or any of your guests may have certain allergies when it comes to flowers. To avoid the inevitable sneezing, runny noses, or red eyes, silk wedding flowers are a great way to have that floral beauty and happy guests. This is also a plus if you are having an outdoor wedding and are afraid of attracting insects.

4. Life-lasting keepsake. The fabulous thing about using silk flowers for your wedding is that you can have a keepsake. You can bring a centerpiece home as well as your bouquet and save on floral preservation costs. They can become a decoration for your home and a reminder of the start of your married life.

5. Great as favors. Many of your guests may fall in love with the wedding centerpieces that you have on the tables. A great favor would be to send the centerpieces home with those flower-loving guests. Your guests get great arrangements to beautify their space as well as a reminder of your wedding day.

6. Sturdy flowers. Because real flowers are more delicate, cold or heat can cause them to wilt quickly. If you are having an outdoor ceremony, the flowers may not be able to stand the heat. What if you forget to put them in water to keep them looking fresh? Well, with silks, this is not a problem. They don’t need water and can stand any weather conditions.

7. Less expensive. Now this is always argued because quality silk flowers can cost as much as live ones. This is true; however, if you need a particular flower in December that can only be found in France, the cost can rise. You can use silk flowers instead and have incredible savings. Also, when submerging flowers, because you generally use less, you can use silks instead of the real ones which can run cheaper. You can also save money with silks by checking out sales on the internet and in stores.

How to Spice Up Your Silk Wedding Flowers

If you are using silk flowers for your wedding day, there are many ways that you can spice them up to make them even more unique which gives a personal touch to your day.

Scent. We love the smell of real flowers, so how can we replicate a fragrant smell with silks. Spraying the perfume of your choice on the flowers is a great way. This way, the flowers have a wonderful smell that can add spice to your reception. Although, you want to make sure the smell is something that will not aggravate guests. I would suggest a real clean, light scent.

Jewels. Instead of having a plain bouquet of flowers, add jewels to liven it up. You can get crystals glued to the petals of the flowers. This adds more pizzazz and personality to an already beautiful arrangement. Plus, you don’t have to worry about damaging the flowers because they are sturdy enough to be handled.

Feathers. Feathers can add flavor to any floral arrangement. Adding feathers to a silk bridal bouquet gives an extra flair that makes it stand out. Beautiful peacock feathers in a silk centerpiece arrangement helps add a certain level of exquisiteness.

How to Care for Silks

Although one of the advantages of silk flowers is that they need little tending and care, here are a few tips to make sure your silk flowers for your wedding day are in perfect condition.

• To clean silk flowers you can wash them or clean them by hand, but this is not the most recommended way because it can become a bit messy and time consuming.

• A great way to keep silks looking their best is to use an ozone safe aerosol spray. This can keep them looking clean and fresh.

• If any of the greenery is wrinkled, you can steam iron the leaves. Just make sure the temperature is on the lowest steam setting. Test a corner before steaming out the wrinkles.

• Many stores that carry silk flowers also carry silk flower cleaners that can keep silk flowers looking great.