2011 designz®Cup

Michelle Arland was inspired by the work of the Californian Impressionist Jessie Arms Botke who travelled to Europe in 1909 to experience the great artists. She fell in love with white peacocks at her local zoo and used them in numerous paintings including the one that bewitched Michelle. Three metres of white satin helped to resurrect this beautiful bird and its construction began by covering an 18cm OASIS® Netted Sphere with the fabric. The next stage required cutting the satin into 10 cm squares which were individually gathered into small balloons and secured using OASIS® 22g wire.

Each balloon became a puffy tuft that was pinned to the peacock using 5mm Diamante Pins. Generous tail feathers have been achieved by applying glossy white Design Master® to golden Cane Leaves before enhancing them with crystal glitter. White Anthuriums float delicately amongst the leaves while Orchids define the upper boundary of this sumptuous tail. The height of the peacock was achieved by using eight rolls of OASIS® Aluminium and Bullion wire in silver.

“The thing I most enjoy about floristry is that I can continuously create and design new ideas then watch how people react to what I have achieved.”