Monday, August 20, 2012

Creating Organic Centerpieces

I'd like to welcome Anna Hicks who has written an article especially for DIYbyDesign.

Creating organic centerpieces and accents can be an inexpensive and fun hobby. Materials are available everywhere in the natural world, or they can be purchased from hobby and craft stores. By using natural materials and recycled containers, pretty centerpieces are easily created. Centerpiece 
 Containers A centerpiece starts out with a base to hold the other components. Baskets, vases and bowls are all good bases, and unusual objects can also be adapted to hold arrangements. To continue the environmentally-friendly theme, it’s best to use items that were previously purchased rather than buying brand new ones. Thrift stores are fantastic resources for purchasing baskets, vases and other materials to use in organic designs. By shopping at thrift stores, the consumer is keeping items out of the waste stream, saving money and helping a charity raise funds. An old boot with interesting creases and wrinkles can be used to hold an arrangement of dried flowers and leaves. Make sure the sole is clean before using. Ceramic teapots without lids are lovely containers to hold live plants or flower arrangements. Wine bottles with interesting labels work well to hold vertical floral arrangements or 
taper candles.
 Centerpiece group #4 

 Materials Natural materials for creating organic centerpieces are available everywhere. For those fortunate enough to have a garden, fresh cut flowers are always a great choice. The flowers can be precisely arranged in a symmetrical design, or can be overstuffed into a vase for a more casual look. A pretty cloth should be placed under floral arrangements that are placed on wood furniture to protect the surface. Other natural materials that can be used include sprigs of autumn leaves, wild grapevines and wild grasses with seed heads. For those with beach access, shells, rocks and bits of found glass that has been smoothed by the water can be arranged in a shallow bowl around votive candles. 

Vintage jars filled with shells and rocks make an interesting bookend. Before harvesting any wild materials, it is important to get permission from the landowner. Most public spaces prohibit removing plant or other materials. Inspiration Finding ideas for creating organic centerpieces is as easy as searching online or visiting favorite retailers. A home décor or bed bath store usually has interesting accent arrangements scattered around from which to draw inspiration. 

 Creating unique organic centerpieces is fun and simple. With inexpensive or free materials, it’s easy to experiment and nurture the creative spirit.

Thanks Anna.
-Judy

About The Author: Anna is an online writer who mostly writes on the topics of personal finance and business, however she also enjoys writing on topics of interest like interior design and green living. Whether she is writing on affording a home remodel or shopping at the Bed Bath Store, Anna is always around a keyboard. You can read more personal finance writing by Anna at paidtwice.com

3 comments:

  1. The centerpieces are so pretty! I love all the ideas that she gave us. Thinking outside the box and using many different containers that we have lying around the house.
    Thanks!

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  2. I love the centerpieces. What fun to see different items used as fillers. Great ideas- xo Diana

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  3. These are my two favorite ideas, and I have already incorporated both of them in my home, where I LOVE natural things from outdoors.

    "For those with beach access, shells, rocks and bits of found glass that has been smoothed by the water can be arranged in a shallow bowl around votive candles."

    "Vintage jars filled with shells and rocks make an interesting bookend."

    I like having petrified wood around, too.

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