Making Money From the Floral Business

Flowers have always been closely associated with our lives. We use various floral arrangements for many occasions such as weddings, funerals, birthdays, anniversaries and celebrations such as Valentines Day and Mothers day. The gift giving art of floral decorations is an age old gesture practiced all over the world. It is still a popular custom and will remain so for centuries to follow. Because flowers are a unique gift that will undoubtedly touch the heart of the receiver and make them feel special and loved.

The floral arts industry is a huge industry today. From small scale to large scale, from internet marketing to over the counter sales; the potential niche market is very high. Become a part of this popular income generating venture, start your own floral arrangement business and earn immediate profits doing what you love, making wonderful creations with these beautiful offerings of nature...

Where as a knack for the floral arts can take you places in this industry, basic skills can always be improved through experience to make your business the most unique in town. An eye for color, texture and a vivid imagination is always a plus. Master the skills of cutting and treating flowers, color coordinating them beautifully and marketing your products in the most eye catching manner, and your business is sure to succeed.

You can make various floral decors such as bouquets, centerpieces, potted flowers, corsages, garlands, boutonnieres, wreaths and posies. Different occasions call for different decorations and sometimes, different flower types. For example Valentines Day symbolizes red roses, and the variety you can create with them is endless. The trick is to make your creations unique and the most appealing to the customer. You can use various adornments such as ribbons, bows, creepers, sprigs, baskets, wrappers and various other artificial products to embellish your creations and increase the aesthetic value.

Most flowers are seasonal, so you can organize your selling themes according to their availability. But there is always more than a few varieties available at one time period, so your choice is never restricted to few. Most popular flowers used in the floral design industry that brings in high revenue are roses, tulips, lilies, orchids, daisies and gerberas. You can also sell gift baskets arrangements of fruits and chocolates along with your floral designs and expand your venture into other avenues.

The corporate world also makes a significant contribution towards income generation in this industry, with many companies ordering floral décor for special events such as meetings and conferences, as well as on a more regular basis to decorate their offices. Arrangements they require include decorations for entryways, reception areas, working desks and lounging areas. Commercial buildings, offices, shops, malls, hotels, hospitals, clubs and restaurants are a few such places that use floral décor on a daily basis.

Although most floral businesses run on a large scale, many small scale entrepreneurs run very successful ventures that are almost as popular. It doesn\'t take much initial investment to begin your own floral design business, especially since it is a business that can easily be operated from the comforts of your own home, cutting down on expenses such as office space rentals and overheads. It is so much easier to run a flower delivery service from home, with basic equipment, on your own schedule as opposed to running a floral boutique. You will be surprised to learn how easily the money will flow and be amazed at the net profits you can make within a short period.

Based on your talents, available resources and time allocations for the business, you can choose an area of specialization. A few examples are below:

o Wedding arrangements

o Family events and functions such as funerals, christenings, baby showers and birthday parties

o Commercial or business events

o Retail florist shop

o Home floral/home decoration business

Whichever field you select, what matters is that you give it your best spirits, and success is not hard to achieve. Think about it, start today and make your floral business the best small scale décor store in town.

Summary

The floral décor business is a sure way to succeed in the home business industry by converting your artistic ability with flower arrangements into a money making venture, catering for various sectors and occasions such as weddings, family events, corporate events, office/commercial décor and home décor.

Floral Designing Supplies and Tools

Sharp tools are a must in floral designing.   A sharp knife used for cutting flowers stems will make clean cuts without crushing the stems.  A clean cut is imperative in aiding water absorption by the flower stem.  A folding pocket knife with a quality blade is the best, longest lasting knife.  Other cheaper knives with plastic handles won’t last as long nor will they cut heavy stems.

Sharp scissors are necessary to cut ribbon cleanly and neatly.  Ribbon scissors must be used only to cut ribbon and fabric.  Cutting just one wire with your ribbon scissors will ruin them.   Serrated scissors are heavy duty multipurpose scissors that can be used to cut wire and woody stems.

Wire cutters with a spring are easier to operate when cutting wire and corsage stems.  Wire cutters have a short blade and are ideal for cutting heavy materials. 

Floral tape is waxed crepe paper that will stick to its self when stretched.  It is used to cover floral wire for use in corsages and bouquets.  Waterproof tape is used to secure floral foam in a container.  It is available in green, white and clear colors in ¼ or ½ inch widths.

Florist wire is usually green and comes in precut 18 inch lengths.   Sizes vary from #16 (the heaviest gauge) to # 30 (the lightest gauge).  Several gauges are necessary in design work to make corsages and bouquets, strength stems and to bind materials together.  The most common gauges used in floral design are #18, 20, 22 and 24.  Paddle wire is on a spool in a continuous strand that may be used to create garlands and wreaths and to bind together heavy materials.  It is also available in a variety of gauges.

Greening pins are u-shaped wire, much like a hairpin, and are used to hold moss to foam.  Wooden picks have a wire attached to one end and are used to cluster dried materials together in foam, attaché bows to plants and to extend the length of a stem.  Chenille stems come in a variety of colors and are used to secure bows.  Chenille stems look like large pipe cleaners. 

Floral foam comes in heavy or light weight depending on the flowers being used.   To soak the foam place it in a sink filled with water, do not dunk it under the water.  Let the foam float and fill naturally, thus assuring you will have no dry spots in the middle of the foam.  It will sink to the bottom as it absorbs water. 

Ribbon comes in a rainbow of colors and a variety of widths.  The bigger the number the wider the ribbon will be.  # 3 ribbon is generally used in corsages and bud vases.  Plants are usually dressed with #9 as are most pew bows.  Funeral work requires a wider width such as a #40.   The most commonly used ribbon is satin, however, there is a great variety of ribbon available today.  Wired ribbon holds its shape for use in decorations, wreaths and Christmas trees.  Printed ribbon has a wide range of uses in decorating.  Lacey, silky ribbon is available for use in wedding bouquets and corsages.  

Tools and supplies may be purchased at crafts stores, fabric shops and department stores as well as your local florists. With the variety of tools and supplies readily available today you are limited only by your imagination.  So imagine away!

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Elements of Basic Floral Design

 
1.       Line creates the line of movement for the eye to follow when looking at a flower arrangement.  Lines in floral design are not necessarily straight or uninterrupted.  Lines may be: vertical, horizontal, s-curve, zigzag, or diagonal.  An s-curve design may need to be wired to allow the flower stems to maintain a lazy s.  In the zigzag the flowers radiate back and forth from the center line of the arrangement with the flowers getting smaller as you near the top.  The diagonal lines radiate out from the vertical and horizontal lines at 45 degree angles.


2.       Form may be one sided or all the way around in floral design.  The three basic forms are circle, square and triangle.  The square is not often used in floral design because it lacks movement in its shape.  The circle is used more often as it is found in nature and has a pleasing movement.  The crescent is a section of the circle that lends grace and beauty to an arrangement.  The oval is another variation of the circle which can be used in floral designing. However, the most often used form in flower arranging is the triangle.  The triangle can be used in a symmetrical fashion or to add more interest to a design it may be asymmetrical. 


3.       Texture includes the physical and visual feel of the components comprising your flower arrangement.  Texture is often used to create gender appeal in a design.  Hard, rough, woodsy textures are popular for men, while women may prefer softer, airier textures.  Texture is important in creating interest, but be careful not to overdo it and disturb the unity of the design. 


4.       Color may be the most important element in floral design.  Humans respond to the colors around us in a variety of ways.  Soothing greens and blues can make us happy and relaxed, while bright yellows and reds can excite and stir up emotions.  Color is light and we need light with which to see color.  When we see all the colors reflected on an object we see white and when an object absorbs all the colors we see black.  Being familiar with the color wheel will help you as you coordinate color harmonies for that perfect eye pleasing design.  

                  
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/elements-of-basic-floral-design-680332.html About the Author: Ellen Skiles