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Episode 118: Marsha Parker                      

Tutorial: Using A Pin Frog In Event Floral Design

A Tutorial by Alyssa Lytle, owner of Flowering Minds  

Part 2 of a 3-part series (see Part 1 here)

Pin Frog provided by Floral Genius 

Although we use pin frogs for our everyday flower deliveries, we find that they really shine when used for event floral design. Every event is, in and of itself, a work of art, so pin frogs are truly a critical staple! Pin frogs allow for expedient and effortless design, and they are capable of reliably maintaining the form and structure of your floral art. They make for an amazing, environmentally-friendly alternative to the highly toxic flower foam that has been traditionally used for this purpose. I really want to pause and emphasize just how detrimental floral foam is to both human health and our environment and strongly encourage everybody to reflect on your processes and consider where improvements can be made. The long-term effects will be well worth the effort of making the adjustments now! Floral foam is a non-biodegradable plastic that accumulates in landfills and leaches into soil, water and other lifeforms — sounds dramatic, but it’s the truth! Let’s empower each other to seek out best practices to promote well-being and deliver guilt-free beauty to our clients! 

Today we will review a few simple steps showing how to create floral arrangements directly on a column, which could be implemented in a ceremony design or used to make an impact at a reception. We love this option because it isn’t so much about the supporting vessel as it is about the flowers. The inherent minimalism found in most column designs sets a subtle stage for the flowers and showcases their organic form. 


What you will need: 

Round pin frog and Lomey dish used in event floral design

Step 1 

Here we are using Floral Genius’s 5.5-inch round, black pin frog. We start by applying the sticky tack to the bottom of the pin frog AND onto the bottom of the Lomey dish. Please see our first pin frog tutorial for directions on applying sticky tack (click here)

Although we avoid using single-use plastics, we do appreciate that Lomey dishes will last for years and years (I haven’t had to throw one away yet). We also really value that they won’t shatter like glass tends to if dropped during an event. They serve as perfect water reservoirs for pin frogs – they are available in many sizes and are quite versatile. 

Once you have the sticky tack applied, be sure that the column is thoroughly clean and dry. Press the Lomey dish onto the column, making sure to twist while pushing down. This should create a strong hold to the column. Next, press the pin frog into the dry, clean Lomey dish, again twisting while pushing down. 

round black pin frog inside a plastic lomey dish ready to design for an event

Round black pin frog in Lomey dish with water for event floral design

Once you have ensured that both items have a very strong hold to the surfaces, you can add water and begin designing! 

Pin frog and Lomey dish sitting on a column in preparation for an event floral design

Step 2 

Always start with the largest stems when using a pin frog! This ensures that the girthier flowers and stems have plenty of room in the pin frog to be easily placed with intention. If you wait until the end, you won’t have space in the pin frog and large stems may not seat securely, which may eventually fall over. Use these initial stems to outline the overall shape of the design so that you can build within this frame. Here I am using artichokes and allium. I’ve utilized the curvier stems to create fluid form and have cut the very straight stems short to be placed at the base. 

Step 3 

After you have placed flowers and foliage with large stems, move on to adding flowers that are very bold and focal. In this case, I am creating an all-greenery design, but these anthurium leaves are definitely going to be a focal point. Take great care in placing your focal flowers and foliage, as these are what the eye will be drawn to first, when viewing the design. 

Step 4 

Begin adding the more delicate accent flowers and foliage. Here I add a bit of contrast with chartreuse foliage. I will continue adding the more delicate foliage, referencing the shape outline that I initially create as a map for where these delicate stems are placed and will further expand on that shape as I work the smaller stems in. 

All green event floral arrangement designed in a pin frog and sitting on a column

Step 5 

Once you have added the delicate blooms and foliage, feel free to take a step back and rework your design a little. Remove flowers if the design is feeling too busy/heavy or add a few more focal flowers if the shape is lacking impact. Please note: Once the stem has been placed into the frog and removed, it needs to be recut so that you have a sturdy stem base to work with prior to placing it back into the pin frog. Here I have added a few more anthurium leaves and some delicate grass to provide more intriguing detail. 

The Finished Design

Delivery

We would ideally design these onsite at the event. However, time is often of the essence and this may not be an option. In that case we would design the shorter stems into the Lomey dish/frog combo. Once we get onsite we would adhere the dish to the column and add the longer, more dramatic stems once it is secured!

Horizontal Stem Insertions

Struggle with getting those horizontal stems to stay where you put them? I use the blunt end of my floral knife to press the stem down into the frog if it’s at an extreme perpendicular angle. It can also be helpful to tape a square of chicken wire over the frog to keep the stems from popping off the frog. Note on the tape: use waterproof tape and go around the entire Lomey dish to create a full circle of tape because it sticks best to itself. I would do that with two pieces creating a cross.


SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE BB COMMUNITY:

Click here to shop the full collection of Floral Genius flower frogs and use discount code BBPODCAST to receive 10% off all flower frogs!


If you are a designer or reseller of fresh flowers and are interested in purchasing Floral Genius pin frogs wholesale, click here.

Please join us in thanking Alyssa for her time and expertise. Special thanks to Floral Genius for supplying the pin frog for today’s tutorial! We appreciate you both!

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  1. Abby says:

    I would actually be really interested in learning about using pin frogs for daily delivery. Pin frogs (while amazing) are sometimes a hard price point for retail (everyday design). How do you ensure profitability and remain competitive on pricing when working with pin frogs? How do they travel for daily design?

    Thanks for this beautiful, educational post!

  2. Meike says:

    Hi, just found this blog. Thank you so much for sharing your style and craftsmanship. Really love this floral piece of art.
    ♡ Meike

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