Helpful How-Tos
Annie's Toolshed
Links
These are some of the sources I rely on for ideas and inspiration, information, supplies and product. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen something on the Web or in a publication and said, “Wow, I’d like to try that!” It’s part of how I keep my approach to arranging fresh and fun. Hope you enjoy them too. And we’ll be constantly adding new links so keep stopping by.
Fusion Flowers Magazine
A British magazine featuring the work of European arrangers. Lots of great ideas, very contemporary, amazing stuff. You can order it online at: http://www.fusionflowers.com
Fleur Creatif Magazine
A Belgian magazine filled with incredible contemporary arrangements with a “how-to” writeup on each one in English. http://www.fleurcreatif.com
By Design
Quarterly publication of the Garden Club of America shows you what GCA arrangers are doing around the country. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Donna Hay Magazine
Donna Hay, the editor of this Australian magazine, runs circles around Martha, her book just oozes style. Eye-catching photography, entrancing layouts, amazing food and occasionally some interesting arrangements. http://www.donnahay.com
John Grant
A Virginian artist who scans flowers and images and turns them into incredibly beautiful and stunning photographs, John’s work is viewable and available on line at http://www.johngrantstudios.com.
Winston Flowers
A Boston florist with six locations, Winston does amazing arrangements and their stores are stocked with wonderful containers and garden accessories. You can order and send arrangements online (though the photos on their website doesn’t always reflect the quality of their arrangements) and if you’re in the Boston area, don’t miss visiting one of their stores, it’s a rare treat for arrangers. http://www.winstonflowers.com
Momastore.org
Everyone is familiar with their catalog and fabulous collection of high-end designed stuff. They also carry a number of interesting containers, among them the magnetic vases I love to use. http://www.Momastore.org
artinstituteshop.org
Though not as hip and trendy as Moma, the online shop and catalog of the Art Institute of Chicago always features some interesting containers. http://www.artinstituteshop.org
arranging supplies.com
Good source for arranging supplies, mechanics, everything from easels to frogs to picks and pins, Bindwire to floral adhesive. http://www.arrangingsupplies.com
floraldesignessentials.com
Another Web resource for supplies. http://www.floraldesignessentials.com
Naturalforestproducts.com
Sells mosses, birchbark, willow sticks, etc. http://www.Naturalforestproducts.com
save-on-crafts.com
One of my “go-to” sites for all things arranging. Just ordered some great glass containers from them. Excellent service also. http://www.save-on-crafts.com
ziji.com
Good selection of Ikebana vases. http://www.ziji.com
R. Seawright Gardens
A small nursery outside of Boston, it has one of the widest selections of hostas on the East Coast. http://www.daylilies-hostas.com
Plant Delights Nursery
A mail order/online nursery in North Carolina, they have great plants and a helpful and humorous catalog. http://www.plantdelights.com
Dutch Gardens
A large mail order/online nursery with a comprehensive selection. http://www.dutchgardens.com
Milorganite
We use it as a deer repellent. It’s actually an 85 year-old organic fertilizer produced in Milwaukee. Available at Lowe’s and Home Depot, it’s the best product we’ve found to keep deer out of our gardens. Also, we’ve found it’s less expensive than many of the deer repellent sprays. More info at http://www.milorganite.com.
Breck’s
A mail order/online operation that sources from Holland. http://www.brecks.com
Floriography
Did you know the Victorians carried on coded conversations with flowers? Many flowers had assigned meanings, dahlias for instance, conveyed elegance and dignity. An interesting article in Wikipedia lists all the flowers and their codes and even has links to a similar Japanese system. Now you can know what your arrangement is secretly saying, even in Japanese! http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_of_flowers
Gardenerscentre
A site featuring a collection of online boutiques offering absolutely everything for the gardener. http://www.gardenerscentre.eu
chive.com
a fabulous website with all kinds of glass and ceramic containers, a must-see! http://www.chive.com
jamaligarden.com
a website for everything (and I mean everything) floral, containers, tools, supplies, etc. http://www.jamaligarden.com
oliveandcocoa.com
this site has some of the most attractive arrangements and gifts, worth taking a look! http://www.oliveandcocoa.com
Did you know that most of the cut flowers we buy come from countries with lax environmental controls that endanger the health of flower farm workers, the majority of whom are women? That’s why I try to buy only flowers marked with a Fair Trade logo and encourage you to do the same. And why a portion of our proceeds go to support organizations like Transfair USA and Rainforest Alliance who are working to improve working conditions on flower farms through Fair Trade certification and labeling.