A Modern Arrangement

What you need:

  • Lilacs bunch or 2 bunches as shown

  • Moon bowl vase glass 10.25"H x 10.25 W x 3.25”D

  • 2 hands full of light blue sea glass  (purchase similar here)What you need:

Shown:

  • Amethyst Crystal 10.75”H x 7”W x 3.25 D

Supplies Used:

Steps: 3

Flower Cost:  $15.00 1 bunch or $30.00 2 bunches (as shown)

Rated: Easy Arrangement

It is lilac season. We even get them here at the farmers’ market in Southern California. I think they bring them down from the mountains. Their fragrance is intoxicating. They are a little fragile and subject to wilting. You need to bring them directly home, no stopping at three or four stores, and cut the stems at a long sharp angle. Because they have a woody stem, you want them to absorb as much water as possible. This sharp long cut helps them quickly drink up and distribute water. Some people suggest lightly taping the stem with a hammer two or three inches up from the bottom. I do not endorse this because it is easy to bruise the stem. After cutting the stems, put the lilacs into luke-warm water. Warm water molecules move faster than cold, so it is easier for the flower to drink the water up through the stem and distribute it. These were cut at 16.5” so I did not take any off the length, I just gave each stem the angled cut.

When you put your blue glass into the vase, lower it down gently in a baggie, and then carefully empty it out. Don’t just dump it down from the top. Glass could fly up or some glass could crack and you wouldn’t want that.

When adding the flowers to the vase, chose two with blooms that angle outwards and place one on each side, keeping the stems going straight down and anchoring them into the blue glass. Evenly distribute your first bunch of lilacs then add the second, keeping any taller ones for the middle. You may even have to just raise the stem a half an inch or so out of the blue glass to give some height to the center of the arrangement. For this arrangement, keep all the stems going straight down into the blue glass and not at an angle. Some stems will have slight curves to them and the glass and water wilt amplify that and give the stems a kind of wavy look. This is good, haha! It makes it look kind of like an Impressionist painting.

This arrangement was paired in the final photo with a giant natural Amethyst Crystal that was owned by Ed Parker, Father of American Karate. Ed Parker was Elvis’ karate instructor as well as being his good friend. This crystal was given to me by his daughter and my good friend, Darlene. I always think of both of them when I see it.

Well, if you are ready, get all you supplies set out and let’s begin.