About TigerFlowers

Teaneck, New Jersey/New York metropolitan area, United States
A journal about floral design, floral and ephemeral sculpture, Fair Trade, and sustainability.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

What we mean by "floral sculpture"...


This image from our portfolio is an example of how floral design is consistent with the principles of sculpture. Some artists refer to this work as "ephemeral sculpture." (We prefer to limit this term to site-specific sculptural works that make use of indigeous flora and found natural objects.)

Like any successful sculptural piece, there must be a coherent design concept, and in interplay of space, form and inferred energy.

I think this particular arrangement "works" for these reasons. The gravity of the black base and dense foliage is an anchor point for the opposing energies of the tulips reaching to the left, and the white roses and dried wheat grass that lift upwards to the right. The curly willow occupies or envelopes an extent of vertical space that also anchors the piece along a centerline that allow the decided leftward pull of the tulips. There is a kinetic tug-of-war going on along this axis that creates excitement for the viewer, and encourages the eye to travel to each of the elements around the circumference of an implied orbit. The yellow gerbera at the center of this miniature galaxy is the focal point, but it is rivaled by the cluster of wheat grass reaching directly towards the viewer. There is harmony in the assymetry.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Artisan Emporia Fair Trade gifts now on sale at Tiger Lily

Tiger Lily welcomes Artisan Emporia to its roster of Fair Trade gift vendors.

From Artisan Emporia's website: "Our mission is to bring unique and beautiful products from artisans all over the world to North America. We work with innovative artists and cooperatives from many different countries to bring you one of-a-kind creations that are exquisitely designed and handcrafted. We work closely with our artisans to ensure that the products are of the highest quality using environmentally sustainable practices. We employ the standards of Fair Trade as articulated by the Fair Trade Federation to ensure that the artisans we work with receive an honest and fair price for their products while sustainably preserving their cultural traditions. Artisan Emporia also seeks to provide maximum transparency between our artisans, and you, the purchaser. To this end, we proudly document our work and travel across the world to share with you, in the hope that together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of artisans through our purchases and cultural understanding."

Recycled Paper Products, RPP, is a green company that repurposes paper waste into fun animal and exquisite flower shapes as shown in the photo to the right. RPP uses only waste paper – newspapers, magazines, and telephone books – in addition to dyes and household wire to create these inventive, colorful, and practical designs. RPP uses the inspiration it gets from the exotic plant, insect, and animal life found in Southeast Asia to design its products.

Started in the poor Bangkok neighborhood of Din Daeng, RPP currently employs 30 women, many of who are single mothers or in low-income households. In 2003, RPP was honored at the IFAT (the World Fair Trade Organization) Biennial Conference for its “best new adaptation of traditional designs and skills.” Some members of RPP are pictured below:


Within the next few months we will be hosting truck sales by Artisan Emporia and other Fair Trade and American crafts vendors. If you would like to be notified about these events at our shops, please contact us to be put on our email list: tigerlilyflower@optonline.net.

Be well.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Fair Trade Roses! You could just eat them. (Actually, since they're organic, you probably could...)


Wow. These are some of the most beautiful roses we have ever had in our shop. And they come with a Fair Trade label on every stem.

This means that they were raised organically, and 13% of the farm's gate price was returned to the workers for education and health care for them and their families.

Our Fair Trade roses come to us direct from the farm in Ecuador through One World Flowers. We are grateful to Alaina Paradise from One World who is working hard to make Fair Trade flowers more readily available to consumers. You can order direct from them or stop by our stores in Teaneck (Encke Flowers or Tiger Lily) to see what roses are supposed to look like!

Visit us - in Teaneck, or on the web!

Encke Flowers & Gifts
281 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck

201.836.1276

Tiger Lily Flowers & Fair Trade Gifts
569 Cedar Lane, Teaneck

Tiger Weddings
The Wedding Design Team
for Encke Flowers and Tiger Lily by Encke
201.287.1800




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