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2012 workshops with René van Rems AIFD

Mayesh's Blog - "Fr-Anemones"

Mayesh's Blog

Are White Anemones Your "Fr-Anemones"?

Nov 10

Written by: Yvonne Ashton
11/10/2011 11:05 AM 

It happens to the best of us . . . a favorite flower can quickly become an enemy or “frienemy”.  That seems to be the situation with white anemones right now.  Unfortunately, even though the price or supply of an item is out of budget or just not available you still need to make your client happy.  What is a florist to do?
Well, one of our creative Los Angeles floral sales professionals, Laura London, came up with a brilliant solution.  If you can’t buy/get it, create it!  Laura took a white Lisianthus and simply inserted a clipping of a burgundy Scabiosa.  You just need to make sure that the blooms are underdeveloped and therefore black.  And voila!  A great alternative to a white anemone! 

Here are some words from Laura and a better look into why Anemones can quickly become “fr-Anemones”:

“White Anemones - aka “Fr-enemies” - Why can’t we just be friends?
Something about that little black center surrounded by creamy white petals has become one of the most sought after flowers in the floral industry. Every bride wants them!  The anemone phenomenon has many people on the mad hunt in search of them …  Anemones are a beast of their own and that is why I called them “Enemies”.
Anemones are a seasonal item - their true season is typically in the colder months leading up to Spring (January thru May).  Once the warmer months hit we have to rely on importing from afar, which bares many risks. Agriculture restrictions, quality concerns and market pricing are 3 major factors to consider when bringing in Anemones by way of import. 
The price points of these little beasts can skyrocket and fluctuate immensely.  It’s a risk bringing in such a high priced item when it is unknown whether or not they will arrive alive, and then there comes quality concerns.  Think about it -this little bunch of fragile anemones are being grown afar, cut, packed, displayed at auction, inspected, repacked again and shipped across the countries abroad. They arrive to us at wholesale level and have to go through intense agriculture screening once again before being released for sale and that is IF they get released! On occasion agriculture will yank this item due to infestation of a parasite or some other potentially harmful bacteria.  This can wreck havoc on other flowers and spread to other things that could end up becoming invasive to local native product. 
With all this said. . . we have gone through many ups and downs when it comes to Anemones.  Although the good outweighs the bad.  When the bad does occur we are now ready with a back-up plan and that is to get creative and think outside the box!  There are so many ways to utilize other seasonal flowers to mimic the look of an anemone.  So don’t be afraid to get out the black sharpie marker to color in the green centers of a white mini gerbera, or recreate flowers out of flowers by taking a black Scabiosa bud and pushing it down into the center of a white Lisianthus!  Things may not always go our way in terms of getting exactly what we want but with a little creative thinking anything can be achieved! Get creative and have fun! 
In the end, if you can’t be my friend… please don’t be my fr-Anemone!

Have you tried this before?  Any other creative ideas in creating “mock” flower varieties?

Why Man Creates Part 1

When I was in high school, my art teacher showed us this short video to educate and inspire us.  This was way before dvds or vcrs were created.  This was a reel to reel short movie.  It made such an impression on me that I never forgot it and now, thanks to the "new" age of computers, I was able to google a sentence from it and up popped the video on Youtube!  The wonderful Saul Bass is the creator and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and still do!

 

Why Man Creates Part 2

René van Rems' Christmas Workshop

Nobody does Christmas like René.  This is one of my favorite workshops!!  If you want to learn to "do" Christmas like a pro, this workshop is not to be missed.

How to Photograph Flowers

 I stumbled across a great article on how to photograph flowers.   It has lots of helpful hints.

How to Photograph Flowers

Teleflora's "Sensational Seasonal Designs" design show

Crown flower - Calotropis gigantea

Ever since I was a little kid, I was always fascinated by crown flower.  It's a flower, shaped like a little crown.  It comes in white and purple and grows on large bushes, which left alone can become trees.  Monarch butterflies love this plant.  There is a milky white sap which flows when the flowers or leaves or branches are picked.  Parts of the plant are poisonous.   Just be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after you are finished handling it and do not rub your eyes.

This is how the crown flower looks  on the bush. Images by Forest & Kim Starr

My interpretation of a scepter bouquet using the crown flower with the outer petals removed.  Silvery Buttonwood foliage is collared below the crown flowers.  Pearl pins add to the "regalness" of the bouquet and the pearl are repeated just below the foliage.

AIFD Artist in Residence Event

Ken Snauwaert AIFD  Sunday Oct. 23 in Huntington Beach, CA

Calif Flora 2011

CALIF FLORA 2011
Sponsored by California State Floral Association and the Original Los Angeles Flower Market
October 8 - 9, 2011
766 Wall Street, Los Angeles, CA 


"BOUQUET BASH" Presented by René van Rems
Sunday, October 9, 2011
"Wedding Floral Demonstration and Fashion Showcase"

Celebrity Designer, René van Rems, will feature fashion-forward floral creations in his highly energetic program. He will produce a variety of unique wedding bouquets and other décor, complete with models.





To register, contact CSFA at tel. 916 448 5266 or email aquinn@cgfa.org

I hope that those of you in the area will help support the California State Floral Assoc. by attending these great events!  Wish I could be there!

Bloomin' News - Sept/Oct 2011

Art of Floral: Why You Should Hire A Florist For Your Wedding and...

This  blog is being shared on Facebook and I had to reprint it because it vocalizes many concerns which professional florists have.  I've always said that we, in the floral industry, make this job look too easy and the general public has no idea what goes on behind the scenes.

Art of Floral: Why You Should Hire A Florist For Your Wedding and...: Now, before the DIY community hunts me down with pitchforks and torches; let me say that I am writing this blog as much from a professiona...

"Design Through the Centuries" with René van Rems at 2011 Symposium

"Design Through the Centuries" Featuring Rene van Rems AIFD Sponsor: Gold Partner - The San Francisco Flower Mart
"To be a successful designer, it's essential that one understand the history of design." International designer and educator, Rene van Rems AIFD is one of the most popular floral design presenters in America. In his first program on the AIFD Symposium stage since being awarded the AIFD Award of Distinguished Service to the Floral Industry, Rene will explore the important periods of design and the significant floral styles that emerged from these periods as he punctuates his lecture with breathtaking floral designs.

Olowalu, Maui wedding

I helped Lois Hiranaga, AIFD with a wedding on Olowalu, Maui.  There was a request for rose petal aisle decor and this is what I came up with.

This view is fro the front looking back towards the entry of the aisle.

This is looking from the entry towards the ocean, where the bride and groom will stand.

Rene's Bouquets for Brides

Also available from Florists' Review magazine

Wedding Design Techniques Demo at Flora-dec Sales, Honolulu

Calif Flora 2011

Oasis 2011 Wedding Color Trends

Honolulu Academy of Arts » Woven Wonders

Honolulu Academy of Arts » Woven Wonders

Two new workshops by René van Rems

Hands-On Wedding Tablescape and Party Décor Workshop

Sunday, October 30, 2011
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.


Instructed by René van Rems, AIFD

In this workshop, you will learn:

·      How to create tablescapes from start to finish
·      How to create a “wow” with little investment
·      Labor saving techniques for production design
·      How to recycle inventory and props

In addition, learn how to sell:

·      Product…not price
·      Theme…not just flowers

Rene van Rems International Studio
3260 Corporate View Drive
Vista, CA 92081

The workshop includes registration and all materials. 
Full registration only please. 
Enrollment limited to 20 guests, no visitors please.
*All arrangements are yours to take home.

Fee:  $245 per person all inclusive
(SECOND separate WORKSHOP
“HAND-TIED and CASCADING BOUQUET WORKSHOP”
on NOVEMBER 13, 2011…booking up quickly)

To register, contact our office, René van Rems International via email rene@renevanrems.com(include your phone number)
or US call direct 888.824.7363 Canada call 760.734.4500
(Visa, MC, AMEX, Discover accepted)

René van Rems International
www.renevanrems.com

AIFD workshop in Utah

Calif Flora 2011

Decor volunteer signup for San Diego Botanic Garden

Decor Volunteer Opportunity for the "Gala" fundraiser at San Diego
Botanic Garden in Encinitas, CA with Gala Creative Director, Rene van
Rems, AIFD.

"Garden Fences and Garden Gates", a free workshop on how to create
organic and nature inspired decor for the garden...or even indoors.

Sunday, August 28, 2011
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Location:  San Diego (formerly Quail) Botanic Garden, 230 Quail
Gardens Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024.


This is an outdoor workshop. Please dress accordingly. Water and
snacks will be provided.

To sign up, please email rene@renevanrems.com or call (760) 734-4500

Problems with Blogger

I don't know what's happening with "Blogger" but my pictures and some of my linked pictures are disappearing.  Until this problem is fixed by Google, I'm not going to be posting for a while.  I may even change to another site.  For now, I'll sit and wait, apparently others are experiencing the same thing.

My Adventures with Tarragon Dressing

I decided to make the wonderful tarragon dressing which is served at the House Without A Key restaurant. I checked three supermarkets and couldn't find the ready made Tarragon vinegar so the next option was to make the vinegar from scratch.  I google-d "how to make tarragon vinegar" and this is what came up. I'll let you know the results.

Devoid Of Culture And Indifferent To The Arts: Gardening & Recipe: Homemade Tarragon Vinegar: "Ah me! Love can not be cured by herbs. – Ovid The star of this post (centre). Photo: apple_pathway, Flickr ccl File this under 'news yo..."

After shopping for fresh cut tarragon at various supermarkets and discovering that it was an outrageous price (something like $45/lb.) about $2.20 for a tiny packet, I decided to look for a plant.  The recipe did not state what kind of Tarragon to buy.  So I looked up a few more recipes which said to use French Tarragon but if not in season, you could sub Mexican Tarragon.  The Mexican variety was the only kind I could find at Lowe's. I believe this 4" plant was only $1.40 and I have a plant leftover!

I used the entire bottle of white wine vinegar which came out to be approximately 1 2/3 cup.  I put it in a sauce pan and brought it almost to a boil, then turned off the heat.

The recipe did not state whether one cup of tarragon was with the stem or without but when I looked at the picture, the stems seemed to be still attached so I left  them on and pat them dry...sort of.   It was too hard to measure out 1 cup of tarragon this way so I just eyeballed it.

I placed all of the stems into the sterilized jar, bruising some with a wooden spoon before pouring in all of the heated vinegar.  Then I jumped back on the computer to see if I was supposed  to cover it while it was still hot or wait till it cooled down.  I had to google another recipe to find my answer and it was to cover while still hot.  This second recipe says to let cool for 2 hours before placing in fridge for 1 week.  I think I'll do that instead of leaving it in a dark cupboard for 2 - 3 weeks as stated in this recipe.  I'll let you know how it tastes before turning it into the Tarragon dressing.  I can't wait.

2011 AIFD Symposium in San Francisco, CA

If you missed the AIFD Symposium in San Francisco, here are some of the highlights.

http://youtu.be/XzxcuwKGLKQ

Michelle's bouquet

Michelle's beach wedding was held in July on the island of Oahu.  She wanted white lilies and green cymbidium orchids with a hand tied look.  A detailed ribbon treatment was added to the handle.

Ribbon treatment

Side view

Michelle and Alex

Closeup

Closeup photo by bride

René van Rems' Tablescape and Party Decor Workshop

Rene's Bouquets for Brides book promo video

This is the video promo for a  new book by René van Rems and 25 designers who came together in January to create a floral/fashion experience which was recorded by Jake Tison and his fabulous camera crew.

Brand New Book - René's Bouquets for Brides on Vimeo by René van Rems

Brand New Book - René's Bouquets for Brides on Vimeo by René van Rems, a photo by greenfairy68 on Flickr.

Enjoy the fruits of our labor!

"Dance Video" from Rene's master wedding symposium

We had the most fun making this video at the conclusion of our week long event.  All of the participants grabbed a bouquet, lined up and hammed it up for Jake, the cameraman.  Lois Hiranaga and I are near the end of the video dancing together with our shell bouquets. 

May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii

Lei day is celebrated every May 1st in Hawaii.  A lei contest is held at the Waikiki shell for anyone who wishes to enter and all the leis are put on display for the public to see.

Bloomin' News - March 2011

René's Bouquets for Brides