'OLD AND NEW'

FLORAL TRENDS' OPENING TEA

We were tremendously impressed by the response to the funky, pink invitations to Floral Trends' Opening Tea. Over a hundred people filled the Library Hall in Somerset West on the afternoon of Saturday, 23 January, 2010 – we truly were 'bursting at the seams' with floral art enthusiasts!

Guests were welcomed upon entrance with a glass of champagne or punch and it was wonderful to see so many old flower friends, some of whom had travelled from far to share in the fun. Pieter Coetzee, from Paarl, who has been actively involved in floral art for the past fifty years told us about the many shows, weddings and other notable functions at which he has arranged flowers. His chat was accompanied by a slide show and it was amazing to see how this art form has evolved from the days when flowers were relatively inexpensive and the triangular mass was pretty much 'the order of the day'.

Tea (and plenty of eats) followed and, then, we were treated to a young designer from Durbanville, Christine de Beer, showing us her take on contemporary floral art. What an absolute treat this was! Her whole demonstration evolved around a visual concept of '2010' but also illustrated her ideas on what is new and relevant to anyone concerned with the preservation of planet Earth. What was so good about Christine's demonstration was that she was not only focussed on giving her audience a pleasing 'picture' to look at. She also emphasised how she had achieved what she did by sharing innovative ideas for mechanics and making structures of plant material or to support it.

Floral Trends has started the year 'with a bang'! Old and young and everyone 'in between' could relate to the beauty of our art form by something that they saw at this event. Thank you to everyone who came along and supported our floral group and to those who ensured that the function ran so smoothly.

See you in February!

Christine de Beer's '2010'

(This was turned sideways on to form the numeral '1')

January 2010 News Letter

Dear Members

Hope you are all feeling rested and revitalised after the Christmas holidays and ...

a very happy New Year to you all.

May all your aspirations reach fruition in 2010.

Remember, though, that life is ultimately what you make it - so, on the Floral Trends front, let's resolve to have a good year by attending all meetings (even when we don't feel like it), by arranging flowers as often as we can and by just keeping each other good company!

By now, most of you will already have received your invitation to our opening Tea which will be held in the Library Hall, Oak Street, Somerset West on Saturday, 23 January 2010 at 14h30. We were originally going to meet at a tearoom in Strand but we realised that the venue would probably not comfortably hold the numbers we are expecting, especially as it is likely to be a hot day. Also, the Library Hall is looking very 'spiffy' having been repainted and, as this venue is affordable (and air-conditioned), we'll be using it.

This year, our theme is 'Old and New'. We thought this appropriate as so much of what is 'new' these days is simply an 'old' look that has been updated. We have an exciting programme for 2010 and hope that you'll be inspired to get excited about plant material and arranging with it when you see it!

At our Opening Tea, we have invited Pieter Coetzee to give a talk and slide show entitled 'Floral Art Then'. He has been involved in flower arranging for decades (!!) and has created designs for some spectacular events. And, he is such a good story-teller that this should be great fun. 'Floral Art Now' will be a contemporary demonstration by a young designer from Durbanville, Christine de Beer. She is not a traditionally trained designer and is largely self-taught via the Internet and her various travels. I love her work because it is different and unexpected. Her demonstration will be something to look forward to, I promise you.

And, you will be spoilt by a great tea. (You know us - we don't do anything without a good 'watering' and 'feeding' too.) So, please come along and bring a couple of friends, especially if they are interested in flower arranging - but, even this is not a necessity. Remember that the afternoon is free entertainment and, as we are all still 'feeling the pinch' after Christmas, subs are only due in February. Again, if you wish to pay, you may! Subs are R300 and may be paid in instalments.

Looking so forward to seeing you all.

Much love

KIM

P.S. Please R.S.V.P. to the Opening Tea invitation as it helps with laying out the hall and with catering too! Either phone Ilse at 021 851 6123 after 19h00 or myself at 021 852 2656 - any time is fine.

P.P.S. Lysette de Clercq took some wonderful photographs of our end of year function which she is willing to burn on to a CD at a cost of R20 for those of you are interested. Please let us know at the tea if you would like one! There are pictures of Henriette's Christmas designs and also of your superb jewellery creations.

'Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.'

Oprah Winfrey