Inspired By Ikebana

The Inspiration
Whilst teaching last year at Bead Sparks some of the students and myself were already discussing which flower I might do for next year and a firm favourite emerged as Irises.
I'm very much a cottage / Prairie plant lover but decided I would take on the challenge.

And what a challenge it was, but I was determined to get the shape right.

During this time I became aware of the Japanese art of Flower arranging known as Ikebana which has been around for thousands of years but interestingly enough has a
very modern look to it and as irises are very structural in their appearance I thought this style would suit. Not to mention I absolutely love it.

As irises can be a very dominant blue I wanted to bring in a second flower and I thought the tiny Daffodils would be perfect in gorgeous bright yellow, together they just say "Spring".

Jean and I were so excited when we first put the project together, it is everything we had hoped for and more.

Placed in Spring
The title is a nod to the ikebana philosophy which subtly references the idea that the flowers are placed with intention.
The project features three majestic irises that give a strong structure to the piece together with the four Daffodils that help give the arrangement a softer edge and an amazing splash of colour.

Ikebana is based on harmony and minimalism which I feel the
arrangement achieves. The spaces are as important as the flowers.
The flowers are worked in both Delica and tiny seed beads to give maximum movement and definition and can be created in any length. For one of the images I've chosen to add some artificial moss which is often used in ikebana.

Skill Level:

• Intermediate
• Participants must be comfortable with Peyote & Brick Stitch and small beads

Requirements:
A full requirements list for the project will be sent nearer the date (once full payment has been received) but the general requirements are:

• Size 11 & Cylinder beads
• Size 15 Seed beads
• Beading wire
• KO beading thread & needles
• 12mm Rivolis - One for each centre of the Daffodils.
• 3mm Pearls - one for each centre of the Irises