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