Floral Tools, Containers, and Mechanics

Hand tools are important in floral design because they (more than one answer)

• make the job easier

• make the job more efficient

• get in the way

• complicate the process

When acquiring hand tools for floral design, remember to (more than one answer)

• never put them away

• maintain them by keeping them sharp and clean

• purchase high quality tools

• use them as intended

Some reasons to purchase a good pocket style floral knife are (more than one answer)

• you can keep them sharp

• convenient since they fold up when not used

• fits comfortably in the hand

• easily lost

Floral clippers are used to

• cut ribbon or fabric

• cut or trim thicker flower and foliage stems

• cut wire

• cut or trim plastic

Wire cutters is the general name for (more than one answer)

• floral snips

• wire snips

• Utility wire scissors

• fabric scissors

Rose strippers or stem strippers are used for (more than one answer)

• removing thorns

• removing the tender bark off the stems of roses

• cutting through a stem

• removing leaves

Ribbon or fabric scissors are used to (more than one answer)

• cut ribbon

• cut wire

• cut fine netting like tulle

• cut fabric

Utility scissors are used for

• cutting ribbon

• trimming foliage and cutting other materials

• cutting fabric

• cutting fine netting

When considering a container for your floral arrangement some basic functions should be considered (more than one answer)

• the cost of the container

• water holding capacity

• large enough opening for the stems to fit

• heavy enough to support the weight of the entire arrangement

Ways to get around using glass containers so you don't see the inner workings or cloudy water are (more than one answer)

• nothing

• use stones, glass stones or marbles for support

• frosted or colored glass

• line inside with paper