Submitted by Laurie Lemek AIFD
AIFD Historian Chair
We all went through prom season this year and struggled with supply chain issues.
Will we ever be able to purchase the cold adhesive that we have grown to love, because frankly, it works so well, increases our productivity, and allows us to create works of art that other mechanics simply cannot do?
As our floral design technique and mechanics evolve, and companies work to solve issues for us such as the ability to mass produce and, and to increases longevity ( cold floral adhesive seals in the moisture without damaging the flowers), what happens when the product that we have come to depend upon experiences supply or manufacturing issues and is not available?
Well, we look back to “History”, and we fall back to the basic beginning techniques that we were taught.
The problem is that many new designers simply were never taught to “wire and tape”!
I came upon this Facebook post written by the legendary Phil Rulloda AIFD. He has given me permission to share it with you. The enclosed photo is circa 1990.
It is simply called: Patience
“This beautiful, enticing trinity bouquet was created in the early 70’s for a special friend.
I had never seen a composite bouquet using gardenias, so it was a challenge requiring lots of patience
Way before the advent of Oasis Adhesive, the construction technique required for each individual gardenia petal to be wired using the clutch method.
It took about 4 hours of taping and wiring to assemble it.
Wearing an army jacket – with nearly frozen fingers – I worked inside the floral cooler to keep the petals from browning.
(I also had the phone and an order pad in there so we wouldn’t miss an order. )
Never, ever to make one again. If you love gardenias and their intoxicating fragrance, you’ll love this bouquet.
P.S. I had patience but lost $$$ underestimating how many flowers I’d need, but it was a design I really wanted to make.
Have a great week! and lots of patience.
If you are interested in learning how to make a “Glamelia” the “Old Fashioned” way, I was lucky enough to have the permission to share an article which includes a step-by-step process with photos by our own James Del Prince AIFD, CFD who developed this article for Mississippi State Extension Department. https://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/publications/P3736_web.pdf
