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Ok, I have decided that to test next year I really need to conquer more design ideas outside my comfort zone and become proficient in them...This is my first ever armeture design...it is hard to see in the picture but ther is curley willow laid across the top and the flowers are woven into the container...I don't think it came out half bad but it needs a lot of work I am going to attach a picture of something that I had in mind when I started but quickly realized I do not know how to get the armeture correct for it...I need armeture help...my curley willow skills seem a bit messy all the time, maybe I should go with that flow and forget about really intricate detailed wire work, but I think that is what wins competitions and gets creativity points and that is what is missing in my scores...don't be easy on me, this is not something that I have ever attempted and I know it is far from perfect and needs help so fire away...
Hi Lori,
I see that you have lots of feedback about your armature adventure, but for what it's worth, I'll add a few thoughts of my own to the mix.
First of all, I think your idea of learning how to make, and use armatures is a great idea for you. You are really creative, and learning how to work with this new medium will open a whole new world for you; one that should result in endless new possibilities.
My first thoughts when looking at your arrangement, and the photo of the armature you used for inspiration, were whether or not you really understood what an armature is all about. I say this because in both your inspiration photo, and in your arrangement photos, the armature is barely visible.
An armature is basically a physical structure which can support floral material in creative and unexpected way. It can be something that already exists, (ie a tomato cage, or a grape vine ball, or a willow trellis,) or something that you create yourself in a variety of forms. Typically, it is an integral part of the design, and can help add movement depth and rhythm to a design. In and of itself, it is not a style of design.
If your goal is to learn how to use an armature as the jumping off point for new design styles, you need to learn how to make an armature first, without incorporating any flowers. The flowers come later.
Once you have mastered how to make different types of armatures, you will be ready to begin incorporating them into designs.
So, in my opinion, you need to leave the flowers behind for a minute and concentrate on learning how to make an armature, and then, what to do with it once you have made it.
Assuming you agree with my step by step process, I advise that you begin with "How to make armatures 101".
The best way to begin is to learn the "Ladder" armature first. It is the easiest, because it resembles something we all know and understand, and it can be used in a million different ways once completed. Ideally, you will be able to do this free hand, but to begin, it's easy if you use a brick of oasis to stablize your efforts.
Begin with 4 straight sticks, 30 inches long, and 5 straight sticks, each 12 inches long. ( skinny bamboo, rivercane, birch braches, or whatever.) Insert the 4 30 inch sticks into a brick of oasis in a vertical row 2.5 inches apart. Now take the first 12 inch stick, and tie it, horizontally, to the 4 vertical stems, about 3 inches from the top. Some people use raffia for this, but paper covered wire is easier, especially for the beginner. Make sure your ties are tight, really tight.
Now, take the 2nd 12 inch stick and tie it horizontally, about 3 inches from the bottom, using paper covered wire, or raffia, or whatever. Once those two cross bars are in place, you should have a pretty strong and stable base. Next, add the 3 remaining 12 inch horizontal sticks, leaving 2 or 3 inches between each horizontal placement. Once you have all your sticks tied to one another, remove it from the oasis. It should not weave or twist very much ( a bit is normal ) and Presto! you have made your first armature!
All armatures are built on the same premise...a bunch of branches or sticks tied together in different forms, sometimes 2 dimensional, like the basic ladder armature, but often three dimensional, like an orb or a ball.
Once you get used to the idea of creating an armature, it is time for you to start thinking about using it as a structural base for floral arrangements.
When you are using the armature, the goal is not to cover it completely, but rather, to use it as a support for your flowers, while leaving it exposed. The ultimate application of an armature is the ability to use fewer materials to create exciting designs... Ideally, it is used with material that can bend and weave through and around, so that the intricate consturuction details of the armature can be appreciated.
So, long and short, is this.
Practice making the armatures until you can create a number of different structures with the specific intent of supporting flowers. Once you can do that with confidence, move along to using the armature to act as a support system for a minimal number of flowers. Remember that for most uses, either retail, or for judging, your flowers need access to a water source,
AIFD is not always about floral art. Sometimes it may be acceptable to do this this, but usually, the adjudicators will want to see that the flowers will last, and that means water! Don't get sucked in to thinking that because it's an AIFD exam, that beauty or creativity counts more than practicality. That is a myth.
Most AIFD members are also retailers...very few make their living from performance art, or books, travelling seminars, or one day displays.
Like everyone else, most AIFD members need to be able to sell their products to the general public by retail.....it's just that we are able to offer the consumers a more creative choice than the average floral designer out there. Use this opportunity for education to broaden your repertoire so that your shop can become the go to shop in your area....
Try again, and let me know how you get along...I know you can do this, it just takes some practice.
JP
