Recycle with style! Turn those holiday gifts you've received in the past into works of art right now! Flower expert and owner of Twigsstudio in Danville, Ria Sim, shows you how.
Recycle with style: Turning trash into treasures
Ever wonder what to do with the many items you received from the holidays? Wonder why your "junk" closet is filling up? Or why is it that your recycling bin is over flowed with gift wrapping and boxes after Christmas? Here are simple and easy steps to eliminate issues we come across daily and contribute in saving our planet.
I started this concept after many years of keeping items for future use and in the back of my mind say, "I'll use it one day"... well it is time to use it!
In today's segment I utilized several boxes I've collected from the past, newly acquired boxes, wrapping paper, and containers that were given to me this past Christmas with the help of fresh flowers. Almost every item can have a second life or better yet is multipurpose. See beyond just the glass vase or box, take it to the next level and you will be amazed of the results.
Here is the list of items presented on today's show:
A Tiffany and Co. floral piece: As you know a Tiffany and Co. box is constructed magnificently and many of us who are able to have one cherishes it. Although we won't throw away items received from a Tiffany and Co. box, I've seen these boxes thrown away and ends up filling the trash containers. Here are steps to transform your Tiffany and Co. box into a floral vase.
- Measure the box and cut a standard floral foam to fit into the box ( purchase foam from any local craft supply)
- Soak the foam in water for a few minutes
- Line your box with a zip lock baggie or any heavy duty brand plastic baggies
- Insert the foam into the box
- Add flowers of your choice. I encourage you to go to your local grocery shop and see the array of flowers they have. The flowers I used for the floral arrangement shown are: white carnations and dusty miller.
In 5 easy steps you have just created a sophisticated floral piece. Other boxes I recommend in using are the following: Godiva chocolate box, Hermes, Louie Vuitton, Barney's gift box, many of the soap, perfume, and candle boxes.
Glass circular vase: I believe that each one of us have in their closet a glass vase from a previous floral arrangement. However, often we don't know what to do with it. How about covering it with either silk or taffeta fabric? Here are 5 easy steps to creating your very own custom floral bowl.
- Measure the bowl and cut the fabric accordingly to the size of the bowl (1 yard of fabric is enough to cover 2 or even 3 bowls.
- Place vase on center of fabric and use a hot glue gun to glue the bottom of the vase to the fabric. Also, add glue to the rim of the vase and place fabric to the edge of the vase.
- Cut/Trim fabric along the rim of the vase (does not have to be perfectly cut because the flowers will cover the imperfections)
- Fill the vase with water about half the volume of the bowl
- Add flowers of your choice. I encourage you to go to your local grocery shop and see the array of flowers they have. The flowers I used for the floral arrangement shown are: Green hydrangea, mums, billy balls
Hand Painted Bone China Bowl and Box: Do you ever wonder what to do with china or serving dishes besides using it for the obvious? Do you believe that you can create two floral arrangements using a china bowl and the box it comes in? Here are simple steps in helping you create a floral piece for not only your dining table but your entryway as well.
Box Arrangement:
- Insert heavy duty Ziplock baggie into the box to protect the box from water.
- Soak all purpose floral foam for a few minutes
- Cut/place presoaked floral foam according to the size of the box
- Trim the Ziplock baggie along the perimeter of the box
- Add floral of your choice and freely insert the flowers according to your design goal. The flowers I used for the floral arrangement shown are: Green hydrangea, billy balls, roses, dahlia, stock and dusty miller
China Bowl Arrangement:
- Soak all purpose floral foam for a few minutes
- Cut/place presoaked floral foam according to the size of the bowl
- Use floral tape to tape the floral foam in place ( due to the size and shape of the bowl, I recommend to secure the foam in place by using floral tape)
- Add floral of your choice and freely insert the flowers according to your design goal. The flowers I used for the floral arrangement shown are: white carnations, billy balls and dusty miller
Plastic Containers, old wrapping paper to vintage buttons: Do you have a plastic candy container somewhere in your home you purchased from your kids local fundraising or was given to you filled with colorful jelly beans or chocolate malt balls? Do you have wrapping paper from the holidays? How about that old button that you kept from a jacket or an old winter coat? Instead of throwing them away…why not do an arrangement with your kids and use all the elements mentioned and create a masterpiece? Here are 5 easy steps to creating your arrangement.
- Measure the plastic box and cut old wrapping paper to fit around the box
- Use double sided tape to attach the wrapping paper to the side of the box
- Use a hot glue gun to glue the button on the center of the box (as an added embellishment)
- Cut/place presoaked floral foam according to the size of the box
- Add floral of your choice and freely insert the flowers according to your design goal. The flowers I used for the floral arrangement shown are: white carnations, billy balls, and dusty miller.
Helpful Tips
Great boxes to keep:
- Tiffany and Company - locations: www.tiffanyco.com
- Hermes - locations: www.hermes.com
- Louie Vuitton: for locations: www.louisvuitton.com
- Chanel - www.chanel.com
- Godiva - www.godiva.com
- Barney's New York - locations: www.barneys.com
Wrapping paper:
Invest in fun pattern wrapping paper that you can use the entire year and not just the holiday season.
Craft supply shops:
Richards Arts and Craft
225 Alamo Plz # A
Alamo, CA 94507
(925) 820-4731
Michaels Arts and Crafts
www.michaels.com
Floral:
- Safeway
- Trader Joes
- Whole Foods
- Costco
Here is a list of where to purchase some of the following items you saw on the show:
- Hand painted bone china in a box
- Log style votive holder
- Black votives
- Holiday votives (silver and gold)
Leku Eder
178 E Prospect Ave
Danville CA 94526
Phone: (925) 820-8012
For more information:
Contact:
Ria Sim at 925-855-9816
Twigsstudio Danville:
www.twigsstudiodanville.com or
www.twigss.com
