WRAPPING FOR EFFECT

By Heather Hammond

The technique is ‘wrapping’ as defined in Flair:

"The technique of wrapping flexible plant material or other components round solid forms or spaces for artistic effect."

[Click the photos for a closeup view]

THE OBJECTIVES:

• To extend dimensions to make a design with few materials appear larger.
• To add a decorative element to a design to create more interest.
• To create an interesting design using a selection of garden materials with contrasting textures, forms and colours.

STEP 1:

Select a low container and cut a circle of heavy cardboard approximately twice the diameter of the top of the container.

Mark and cut out an inner circle the same diameter as the container.

STEP 2:

Cut through the cardboard in one place and overlap the ends approx 70mm and staple neatly on both the inner and outer edges.

This will create a sloping surface.

STEP 3:

a) Completely cover the cardboard with any pliable material using the wrapping technique. Suitable materials include raffia, fine weeping willow, wisteria or any other suitable strap form leaf or vine type material. It may be necessary to paint the cardboard circle first in a colour to match the wrapping material.

b) Embellish the covered form with decoration of your choice. (Optional). Suitable materials include decorative wire, berries, beaded wire, small pressed flowers, wool, decorative threads etc.

STEP 4:

Fill container with floral foam to above the lip. Trim foam to match the shape of the decorated form when it rests on top of the container- leave a small gap to prevent the cardboard absorbing the moisture.

STEP 5:

Fill container with floral foam to above the lip. Trim foam to match the shape of the decorated form when it rests on top of the container- leave a small gap to prevent the cardboard absorbing the moisture.