Presenting

32 February | 2022 Feature Preparation e fi rst thing to do is compile a list of high schools in your area and get their prom dates on your calendar. is will help with your planning process. Next, order your prom accessories—and fl owers— if you have not already done so. Order a variety of corsage bracelets; ribbons; gems and jewels; accents; and supplies like liquid fl oral adhesive, magnets and pins, and corsage bags and boxes. en, create a fun, inviting and even interactive display in your store. Corsages Wrist corsages are the most popular style for prom. ere are so many amazing corsage bracelets on the market that will make your customers feel special and provide them with keepsakes from the momentous event. You can also make one-of-a-kind corsage bases with decorative wire. Accents such as rhinestone sprays (bling), gems and jewels, painted leaves, berries and decorative wire adornments can also make corsages pop. e most popular fl owers for prom are roses and Dendrobium orchids. You want to off er a selection of small lightweight fl owers that hold up well out of water, such as Delphinium fl orets, Ranunculus, Hypericum berries, succulents, button spray mums, and miniature Phalaenopsis and Cymbidium orchids. We all know that the retail price of prom fl owers depends on the number and types of fl owers used, the accents and adornments, and the complexity of the design. But are your prices keeping up with national averages? Today, boutonnières can range from $12 to $30 while corsages typically range between $30 to $70. Don't be afraid to charge appropriately for your products and creativity. Most prom-goers expect to lay out lots of cash for their special evenings; don't be hesitant to claim your fair share. Off er fl ower jewelry in addition to or as an alternative to traditional prom corsages. Flower jewelry is becoming increasingly popular for proms, weddings and other formal events. Necklaces, bracelets, cuff s, rings, belts, anklets—as well as fascinators and hair fl owers—are all options you could off er—and make customers aware of. Many prom-goers have no idea what other types of fl ower wearables you can create, so you have to show them and educate them! Cash in on the alternative-wearables trend by showcasing such off erings on your website, on social media and in your shop. ey off er prom-goers great ways to personalize and individualize their looks. e possibilities are endless, but it is up to you to promote these types of designs and educate your customers on what is possible. It all can be very exciting—not only to them but also to your staff . Corsage Mechanics Liquid fl oral adhesive (a.k.a. cold glue) has changed the creation of corsages, especially for prom. It enables you to make multiple corsages at the same time. You can line up three to six corsage bases and do the fl ower gluing simultaneously. For most designers, it is faster and easier to use liquid fl oral adhesive to create prom fl owers. Switch to the gluing method, and you can end long hours of fi nger-tiring wiring and taping fl owers for prom corsages. If you make the basic forms in advance, it takes only minutes to glue the fl owers in place. Tips for Gluing • Place a row of bracelets onto a PVC pipe, to create several corsages at one time. • Group designs that require fl owers of the same color. • Glue adheres to glue, so attach fl owers securely by adding drops of liquid fl oral adhesive to both the stem tips of the fl owers and the surfaces where the blooms will sit. Wait a few seconds for it to become tacky.

• Cover