In the shop: Tools of the trade

There are some basic essentials that I can't work without, tools that I reach for time and again as I ply my trade in the shop.  They aren't high tech and are certainly not glamourous, but these are the items that are in my tool kit always.

 First up, I'm a classically trained florist which means I cut oldschool, with a sharp knife. I was taught that clippers should never be used on flower stems, they pinch the cell ends together and disrupt water uptake (leading to shorter life span in a vase).  I used to be rather strict about it with freelancers, but in recent years have come to accept that many florists now are clippers only.  I will always be a knife wielder.  The red handled knife is actually the same one I've used since I trained, over 20 years ago.  It folds down, holds a sharp edge well and travels with me every where.  This leads to some interesting conversations when I forget it is in my purse going through security at airports and the like. The grey handled knife is the one I use most in the shop.  It has a nice amount of heft to the handle which makes it comfortable to work with for long periods of time.

Clippers get used for anything I can't cut easily with a knife.  It makes no sense to hack away at tougher woody stems and branches, you end up doing more cell damage, so those take a swift clean cut from these clippers.  This simple type has been a long time favourite, as one that lasts well and cuts most stems easily.

Ribbon scissors get the most use during wedding season.  This pair has held up well, but I tend to go through these faster than any other tool I use.  A few absent minded snips on something other than ribbon and these get dull and useless.

 

I use simple garden twine to tie my posies and bouquets with.  Nothing fancy, I buy mine at the dollar store. A paddle wire has many uses, most especially I use this for garlands and wreaths but it is great for corsages in a pinch. I prefer a paddle wire to a spool, as it is less likely to roll off the work bench and get lost in the sea of leaves on the floor.  And florist tape is a tape that binds flower stems together, you stretch it slightly which makes it hold onto itself tightly as you wrap it around and on top of itself.  I prefer the plastic type, but there is also a paper one available. That one makes me mental  as I find it dries out a bit and then snaps easily.

And there you have it, Trapped on a desert island with this small collection of tools, I could indeed whip up a floral masterpiece for you, no question!