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Quick Tips: Sanitizing Those Old Vases

If there’s one thing with which every florist is more than familiar, it’s a dirty vase that seems impossible to get clean. Most of the time, they come to you as part of a vase recycling or re-purposing program, and we all know how important it is to get those vases completely disinfected and sanitized. The bacteria and mildew growing in an old vase can wreak havoc on anything you might wish to place in it! But regardless of its origins, nothing is more annoying than a disgusting vase that just will not come clean!

A Cleaning “Solution”

Crystal Flower Vase

Well, no need to fret. Amy Bishop of Amy’s Flower Basket in Albion, NE has found a brilliant solution! The next time you find yourself with a vase that resists the ministrations of soap and water, just fill it to the brim with hot water and drop in a couple of denture cleaning tablets. Give it a full 24 hours to soak, and then simply clean as normal. The end result will be a bright and sparkling vase, completely sanitized of any residual mildew or bacteria and ready for use!

Thanks Amy, that’s a fantastic idea!

Amateur Application

Of course, this will also work at home. So for any of you non-professionals out there, go grab that old vase from under the sink or off the top of the refrigerator and give this tip a try! Or, if you’d prefer not to reuse your old vase, you should definitely check with your local florists to see if they have a recycling/re-purposing program available in your area. Some even offer a discount on your next flower purchase, so you can get rid of the old, empty and busted to make way for some new hotness!

Do you have an idea or tip that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you! Just leave your idea in the comments below, and who knows, it might be the subject of our next blog post! Also, if you’d like more information on creative ways to use vases, check out this previous post!

What Is Deco Flex Tubing and Deco Poly Mesh Ribbon?

Ask the Expert: What is Deco Flex tubing?

Rec’d a call from one of my wholesalers and they have Deco Flex Tubing that is bright in color and is flexible…I searched the net with no success..Also what is Deco Polymesh Ribbon…and how do you use it?? Gayla

Design Expert Reply:

Deco Flex Tubing (a Craig Bachman product), is a well keep secret of top floral designers.  This poly tubing comes in bright colors and is available in an 8mm or 4mm size.  The size and color variations allow designers the ability to use it in a variety of applications including underwater and outdoors.

Deco Poly Mesh WreathFrom corsages to bridal bouquets, Deco Flex tubing adds a uniquely luxurious quality to wedding work.  Tied to a Valentines Day arrangement, it adds a special touch.  When swirled on the inside of a vase, an everyday arrangement becomes extra ordinary.  Once designers work with the flexibility of this product, they discover interesting ways to use it.

Deco Poly Mesh Ribbon is another highly versatile product. If your store does alot of Christmas work, you’ll find this ribbon invaluable.  The width of the ribbon along with just the right flexibility and stiffness gives you the ability to create bows with a big impact and a minimal need for material.

In fact, you can even make an outdoor Christmas wreath for customers who want more color and less greenery. From tree decorating to flower arrangements or gift baskets, Deco Poly Mesh Ribbon makes a great foundation for most of your Christmas work.  It can be used in a multitude of applications for any holiday.

Deco Poly Mesh Ribbon Easter Basket

In this Easter basket, Deco Poly Mesh Ribbon was used in the bottom of the basket, over the basket and as the bow supporting the eggs.  So as you can see the ways you can use this product are only limited to your creativity.

Your wholesaler should be able to give you more information about the colors and availability of this product.  For anyone else interested in this product contact your local wholesaler and ask them about these products or go to craigbachman.com and they will help you find a distributor near you.


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Have You Read The Winter 2009 Networker?

I just finished reading the Winter 2009 Networker. This issue is chalked full of interesting articles. The outside cover is dedicated to the fantastic new customization features available to members with the FSN E-commerce websites. It contains some fantastic topics like Eco-friendly practices, reaching the modern bride, a design tip featuring horsetail and several other noteworthy ideas and articles. If you miss placed yours or would like to see it online – here it is Networker Winter 2009.

Where To Find Plant Wholesalers In California

Ask The Expert: Can anyone suggest plant wholesalers in CA? I have a gift shop in a small community and cannot buy 1000’s of plants, but I am the sole provider to my community. At present, I am looking for Christmas plants such as poinsettias, zygos and amaryllis.

Thank you Deborah

Local Florists Acquire New Resource With Flower Shop Network’s The Networker

The Networker, a quarterly publication, from Flower Shop Network was recently launched “as one more way to help the local florist in marketing their business effectively both online and offline,” says Brock Atwill, president of Flower Shop Network.

Most successful businesses have one thing in common and that is great communication skills.Communicating with your peers and your customers is essential to achieving a higher bottom line. Communication is the basis for The Networker.

Floral trends, marketing insights, new features, new products, design techniques, informational tidbits and how to market your business are a few of the features found in the publication which will be mailed to Flower Shop Network members.

“Creating a presence for Flower Shop Network’s local florists online is something we strive for” says Loranne Atwill, FSN Vice-President. “Our marketing services for flower shops includes holiday email campaigns, marketing posters, and information resources like the Bloomin’ Blog and now The Networker.”
Creating tools that help local florists reach and provide quality services for their customers is the goal of Flower Shop Network.If you would like to learn more about this publication or other marketing services offered by Flower Shop Network you can call (870) 215-5444 or go online to Flower Shop Network Florists Only.

Read the first edition of The Networker online now – PDF download.  (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

English Garden Florist Introduces New Wedding Website

The English Garden Florist introduces TEGWeddings.com – a new website that showcases the shop’s Wedding and Event flower business.

Flower Shop Network member, The English Garden Florist of Raleigh, North Carolina has just launched TEGWeddings.com, a new online resource for couples in search of a wedding florist in the Raleigh/Durham Triangle, North Carolina area. The new wedding site offers prospective brides and grooms the ability to learn more about The English Garden Florist and their capabilities through an online gallery and testimonials from past customers.

“Our website also has a number of pages devoted to helping couples plan and budget for their wedding flowers. We have a number of sample floral designs to help inspire brides along with a planning checklist to help keep brides on track for a successful wedding,” stated owner Cydney Davis-English.

Among these features, the website allows couples to submit detailed contact information to The English Garden to aid in the floral planning process. The website also offers potential customers a chance to view sample proposals and pricing worksheets created by The English Garden, which will help couples set their budget for floral decorations. It also provides an overview of how the English Garden staff approaches the proposal and pricing process.

“We believe every wedding must be a masterpiece, and the launching of this informative website will show potential brides how The English Garden can bring this level of commitment to their wedding,” commented Ms. Davis-English, who also worked in event planning in the nonprofit sector for several years before reentering the florist industry.

ABOUT THE ENGLISH GARDEN FLORIST OF RALEIGH – The English Garden Florist is a full-service retail florist, gift shop and floral event provider located at 10310 Moncreiffe Road 107 in Raleigh, NC 27617. Customers may contact the shop by calling (919) 341-6650 or 1-888-632-5975, Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Owners, Warren English and Cydney Davis-English are 3rd generation shop owners with the experience necessary to assist customers with placing orders for local delivery or anywhere in the world. Over the last 40 years, The English Garden Florist of Raleigh has earned a reputation in the area for providing: excellent attention to detail, a high level of personalized customer care, and the ability to work within any budget.

Brenda Kingston FSN

Where to Find Suppliers of Wholesale Wreaths and Swags

Ask the Expert: HELLO, I AM LOOKING FOR A SUPPLIER OF WHOLESALE WREATHS AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SELECTION. I AM PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN SMALL SIZES RANGING FROM 6″D – 9″D. I AM ALSO INTERESTED IN SMALL SWAGS. CAN YOU HELP ME? LAUREN

Hi Lauren:
Here is where I would start: FGmarket is a directory for wholesalers who supply florists and gift retailers. They have a several natural, dried and preserved wreath suppliers and several garland suppliers as well as fresh wreath and swag wholesalers. From the FGmarket site you will be able to link to many of their sites and view their wholesale products. You will, also, be able to contact the suppliers directly to discuss pricing and to get their catalogs. Several of the wholesalers have specials and promotions shown only on FGmarket – an added benefit to using FGmarket. I know several people who have found Fgmarket to be extremely helpful in finding sources for the products they need. I have review many of the products carried by these wholesalers; finding interesting and quality products. I think you will be able to find just what you are needing. Good luck.