Plumeria & Cymbidium Orchid Centerpieces Complete!

I have to say, when I get a big order such as this one where I was hired to do cake flowers, 50 favors and 10 centerpieces, when it's all done, there is a huge sigh of relief and a sense of accomplishment. I was expecting not to finish them until tomorrow, but once I get something in my head and I have a deadline, I need to finish it and call it done before I can move onto the next thing. Granted I have 3 weeks until the bride's wedding, but I have so many other orders and samples to work on right behind it that getting this done was a big deal to me.

I've done 40 centerpieces for a client once before a few years ago, but this is the first time I've done centerpieces this large. Granted they are probably 12" high and 6 inches square, but the process is very involved. Making 80 plumerias, 60 fern curls and 50 cymbidiums is no easy task and then letting them dry, painting, attaching wire, preparing the base and then arranging. I think I started this order early last week and between other things going on, I managed to finish in a week's time.

I'm so excited to send this order to Carol and Shaun. Carol and her mom have been a JOY to work with and so appreciative. They have loved all the pictures I've sent them along the way. I think that's the one thing that gets my clients excited, the fact that I share photos of their orders as I complete the items. I think it helps make their wedding day a reality and that the day is fast approaching and they look forward to seeing all these things on their wedding day. Best wishes to Carol & Shaun!

Mahalo for entrusting me to create the elements of your wedding reception in clay! :)

Fall Colors - Part IV

Today was an extremely busy day of a lot of things that I wish didn't happen today. My car broke down after dropping Aidan off at preschool (dead battery). Luckily my husband was still home and could jump it so I could make it back to the house. I was able to work on a few more flowers for my centerpiece order, but my work was cut short because I had to walk to pick up Aidan and walk back. Even though I didn't finish all the items I wanted to get done, I finally finished Kirsten's order!!! :)

Here are some images of the corsages and boutonnieres which completed her order. The corsage wristlets I ordered didn't exactly work. They were too loose and so I emailed Kirsten to see if she wanted the ugly cheap looking elastic wristbands or if she wanted to try doing ribbon corsages (Kirsten - I hope your family doesn't read my blog!) Anyway, we decided to go with ribbon corsages. I think it will look really nice and really bring out the rich chocolate browns. The corsages and boutonnieres are different, some red and some orange, but they all look beautiful and uses the flowers and elements that were in the bouquets.

I'm so glad to finally get another BIG order out the door. My target for the centerpieces to ship is Tuesday so I have a lot to get done....

Best Wishes to you Kirsten and your hubby-to-be!

DK Designs Clay Flower Bouquets - Orchids, Roses, Fern Curls and Shamrocks!

Another order completed this morning. This one seemed to take the longest due to the items requested in in the order. Amy, the bride, found me via my Etsy site and it just so happened that her fiance, Joe is allergic to flowers. She had almost given up hope carrying flowers down the aisle. Until she found DK Designs! At first her idea was cranberry red colors (roses, dahlias and maybe hints of stephanotis flowers with pearl centers). I sent Amy samples and she said she would think about what she wants and get back to me.

Her bouquets and boutonnieres contain the following elements: white phaleanopsis orchids, green cymbidium orchids with yellow centers, champagne ivory roses, fern curls, white calla lilies, hipericum berries and shamrocks. We did her bridal bouquet, two bridesmaid bouquets and a boutonniere for her fiance and her father.


She ended up sending me a picture of the bouquet she really fell in love with. She also asked for a few special requests. She asked for a 3 leaf clover for her bouquet to be tucked into her bouquet, but not be too noticeable as well as her Dad asked for his boutonniere to have the shamrocks as well. It's an Irish tradition, I believe. This bouquet was a lot of firsts in terms of the elements - the brown fern curls, shamrocks and hipericum berries! I think all in all it came out beautifully. Amy also sent me the ribbon she wanted as well as a monogram charm to attach to her bouquet.

I think this has to be my all time favorites thus far this year. I've always loved the green and white color palette as well as the fern curls. I'm enjoying making new things and hope to continue to add to what I can make out of clay. Thank you to Amy for challenging me to try new things. :)

Best Wishes Amy & Joe!