Using a Tussy Mussy for a bouquet holder

ive not seen them here in the uk....ive got simular like this one....i got these in 2004 and only made one bouquet with it....cos silly me didnt take a back view

i have got a few of the corsage ones too....but not had chance to show them off/make a sample....they are magnetic....glad you reminded me....i'll try to remember where ive put them...lol

linda x

I'd stick to Rainbow Florist's advice on your other thread; doing anything other than hand-tying your roses is going to complicate what you're doing. As you're doing them yourself, stick to the easiest method; there's far less room for mistakes, and a hand-tied bouquet will look just like the picture you've posted. The last thing you want is to cut & wire the stems to use an oasis holder or a tussy mussy and then get stuck....you're past the point of no return by then!

I brought some roses from the market today so I can have a play with putting something together (also because we have friends coming over for dinner so I can look like a proper hostess first!). So even using a bouquet holder you may still have to wire them? Pain! I definitely need it to be as simple as possible! Though may just go with a local florist anyway. Although am really enjoying learning all this stuff about flowers and being all crafty. I really appreciate everyones advice.

I did find the same bouquet holder in the states from fleabay item number: ****

but i don't need 4 of them and postage is steep!

Will post a photo of my flower attempts tommorrow.

I rarely use bouquet holders of any type to be honest, and tend to wire flowers into a handle. But, if I do use them, then yes I always wire them too - just to make sure it's secure. Oasis is great for positioning the flowers, but doesn't hold them all that well. Also, if you want the effect of just the flowers without much/any green as in your picture, you'll need a lot more flowers in a holder than you'll get away with in a hand-tied bouquet. Bear in mind it's not just a skill thing - wiring bouquets is labour intensive, so even if you do decide to use a florist they will charge you much less to make up a hand-tied bouquet than a wired one. Decisions decisions!!

Awww thanks so much for the advice, I am also very aware that by buying roses, secateurs, bouquet holders etc to practice with is all adding to the overall cost and although I am learning and enjoying myself I need to watch that I dont spend a fortune on making it cheap! haha!

Sherrie from aislebeyours uses the metal bouquet holders for her silk bouquets, she has them in silver and gold and they really give a great finish to bouquets.

I am sure she will be happy to advise you how to arrange them yourself using one.

Here is her album which shows many pics using them

https://www.flickr.com/photos/aislebeyourscom/sets/72157602756419890/

The Tussy Mussy is an American idea and are not used in this country so you probably wouldn't find a florist who would have them in stock. The nearest available to the Tussy Mussy is the photo which Linda posted but these are quite expensive to buy, much more than the usual bouquet holders. If you are looking for a 'cheaper' alternative to wedding flowers, then a simple hand-tied posy of roses is your best option. Sherrie has made bouquets using these ornate holders and will be able to show you photos. Once again though, putting a bouquet together into a bouquet holder is a skilled job and not just a case of 'sticking them in' !!