In this post, I’ll be sharing an Ikebana-inspired floral arrangement using a flower frog that is perfect for DIY florists and beginners.
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Today I’m sharing my first attempt at an ikebana-inspired flower arrangement. As a beginner in floral arranging, I wanted to experiment by using a flower frog, trying out a few stems, and testing the waters.
While this creation doesn’t exactly follow the traditional ikebana methods or techniques, I still found this to be a fun and rewarding way to explore a new creative hobby.
What is Ikebana?
Ikebana, pronounced i·kei·baa·nuh, is a traditional Japanese art form that dates back centuries, focusing on the skill of flower arranging.
The term ikebana translates to “making flowers come alive” and is rooted in Japanese aesthetics. The art form values simplicity, subtle elegance, and reverence for nature.
Beyond visual appeal, ikebana aims to convey a feeling of balance, harmony, and the transient beauty of life. The arrangements are infused with movement and vitality with layers of asymmetric stems and the use of negative space.
Contrary to the widely celebrated Western flower arrangements, which emphasize grandeur, size, and fullness, ikebana style arrangements follow a “less is more” principle, crafting striking focal floral pieces with a minimalist aesthetic.
For more information, explore the articles below to delve into the history and tradition behind the ikebana Japanese art of floral arrangement.
– The Japanese Art Of Flower Arrangement
– Ikebana 101: Everything You Need to Understand (and Practice) the Japanese Art of Flower Arranging
How to create your own Ikebana-style floral arrangement
To get started with this stunning floral arrangement technique you’ll need:
- a flower frog (I am using one from this set in today’s post, but also highly recommend this brand which is a small business and comes in really pretty packaging for gifting!)
- a wide and shallow bowl or vase – these are very easy to thrift, but you can find a similar one linked here.
- 3 or more varieties of flowers or stems – I just used what I found at my local grocery store: pom daisies, roses, mums, and eucalyptus.
- sharp scissors or floral shears
- water
Start by placing the flower frog in the center of the shallow bowl or vase and fill with just enough water to cover the spikes.
Next, select your stems and start placing them one at a time into the flower frog.
Many traditional Japanese ikebana techniques use spirituality to approach the art of flower arrangement, such as Moribana. In the Moribana style, there are 3 stems used: one to represent heaven, one to represent earth, and one to represent humans. Read more about Ikebana techniques here!
Again, I’m not going the traditional route for this specific arrangement, so I simply aimed to create a visually appealing shape, stepping back every so often to make sure I liked the balance and overall composition.
Now that I have a better understanding of the process and feel more confident using the flower frog, I am looking forward to practicing more with upcoming arrangements incorporating some more traditional ikebana techniques in my next attempts.
In general, I am pleased with the end result. However, I think it could benefit from more negative space (maybe my maximalist nature led me to keep adding stems). Next time around, I’ll be sure to include a variety of flowers with slimmer stems that will drape out to the sides, creating more movement and adding a whimsical feel.
Overall, my first attempt at an ikebana-inspired floral arrangement was a fun and rewarding experience. While it may not adhere strictly to traditional techniques, it allowed me to explore a new creative hobby and appreciate the beauty of simplicity and balance in a floral arrangement.
As I continue to practice and incorporate more traditional techniques, I look forward to the endless possibilities that the ikebana art form embodies. It’s sure to add that dash of romanticism to my days and hopefully, you’re inspired to give it a shot!
Looking for more inspo!? Check out my Pinterest for tons of lifestyle, DIY, and crafting inspo… updated daily!
This post was all about a DIY ikebana-style floral arrangement. If you like this content, check out these posts below!
– DIY Aged Painted Planters | Easy Garden Project
– Springtime Garden Picnic | Party Planning
– 10 Creative Ways To Romanticize Your Life
Xx- Laura
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