Pioneer Blog

Video: Bubble Bath Corsage

Amy Lombardo - Wednesday, April 03, 2019

Video Summary written for Pioneer Imports & Wholesale by: Lisa B.

Learn how to create a gorgeous wrist corsage using wholesale silk lilies and foliage accents from Pioneer Imports & Wholesale by following along with this quick video demonstration by Vonda LaFever AIFD, CFD, PFCI.

This tutorial uses the Bubble Bath corsage bracelet in champagne, also available from Pioneer. This piece is stunningly simple and super versatile – easy to coordinate with a variety of wrist corsage styles.

Vonda begins by preparing the bracelets with a length of string to bind the strands together. She liberally applies glue to the group of string ends, creating a nice flat base for the addition of the permanent botanical elements.

Each of the silk dusty miller leaves comes with plastic veining, which Vonda easily removes before application for a softer look. Trimming the ends of each leaf provides a larger surface area for attachment. Vonda adds glue to each before attaching to the bracelet, creating a strong glue-on-glue bond.

Vonda takes the same glue-on-glue approach with the dramatic purple silk calla lilies, applying glue to the stems. The first addition has a lengthy stem – easy and quick to attach. She applies glue to the others and sets them aside to give the glue a little more time to set up.

The other silk foliage used in this design is from a silk lemon leaf garland. She trims these into smaller pieces for better dispersal. She applies the remaining silk foliage elements between the silk calla lilies, taking care to vary the heights and angles to create a sense of fabulous dramatic volume.

Check out the result! This piece features a straightforward composition, yet the purple silk calla lilies make a truly glamorous statement – this wrist corsage can be dressed up or dressed down to fit any occasion.

Are you inspired to create your own distinctive variations on this design? The lovely Bubble Bath bracelet is also available in silvery Charcoal, glossy black Midnight, and bright white Sugar. Have fun experimenting with the various Bubble Bath colorways alongside the tremendous variety of wholesale silk flowers available from Pioneer.

Pioneer Imports & Wholesale has everything you need to create one-of-a-kind wrist corsages for weddings, prom groups, and other exciting occasions.

Shop products from the video:
#BU1511 “Bubble Bath” Corsage Bracelet, Champagne
#PWC0104WHPU Mini Real Touch Calla Lily 15”, White/Purple
#PWG2627GR Lemon Leaf Garland 6’, Green

#PWDM1142GR Dusty miller Spray 22” Green

Watch the video here!

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Video: Cascading Cherry Blossom Bridal Bouquet

Amy Lombardo - Friday, March 15, 2019

Video Summary written for Pioneer Imports & Wholesale by: Lisa B.

In this detailed design demonstration, Vonda LaFever AIFD, PFCI, CFD builds a beautiful bridal bouquet – or attendant’s bouquet – using wholesale silk flowers and permanent botanicals from Pioneer Imports & Wholesale.

This bouquet features silk hydrangea, silk calla lilies, silk cherry blossom, and silk miniature ivy.

Vonda begins with two stems of silk hydrangea, bending the stem just a little toward the front and back so it looks like one larger blossom. To form the cascade, Vonda uses part of a silk cherry blossom garland that has been cut to size and trimmed to reduce visual weight.

Bringing the cherry blossom toward the front of the design creates the cascading line that defines this type of bouquet. Vonda then adds another piece of cherry blossom on the other side to continue the line upward and through the top, a smart way to balance the composition. A few more sprigs around the edges completes the outline.

Next, Vonda adds silk calla lilies through the hydrangea blossom. She notes that the beauty of permanent botanicals is that you can move and adjust them however you want – much easier than working with fresh flowers. Vonda even bends one of the calla lilies to complete the downward cascading line.

The final addition to this bouquet is a selection of realistic silk ivy. Vonda begins by using the elegant ivy to continue the cascade, then brings a few cuttings toward the top for balance. She takes care to use the ivy conservatively to ensure it does not take away from the cherry blossom, hydrangea, or calla lilies.

A clear zip tie secures the arrangement, but you can use floral tape or a variety of other solutions if desired.

Complete the design by fluffing and adjusting as needed. Here, you’ll see that Vonda decides to add a little bit of cherry blossom to the center of the design using hot glue so that it appears to come through the blossoms rather than just collaring the bouquet.

The result is a spectacular bouquet that can bring springtime charm to any wedding. Perfect for brides or attendants alike, this piece is sure to capture the attention of bridal show attendees.

Explore the Pioneer website for an incredible selection of permanent botanicals, wholesale silk flowers, and useful accessories. Not only does Pioneer Imports & Wholesale offer everything you need to create gorgeous bouquets like the one in this video, the catalog includes everything you need to create stunning botanical arrangements for commercial displays, trade shows, and so much more.

Shop products from the video:
#PWG2300 – Cherry Blossom Garland
#PWH2077 – Hydrangea Stem – White
#PWC0103WH – Calla Lily Stem

#PBI810 – Garden Lace Ivy Bush – Green

Watch the video here!

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Video: Sydney Eucalyptus & Hoop Design

- Monday, October 08, 2018

Video Summary written for Pioneer Imports & Wholesale by: Lisa B.

Floral hoop designs are a modern and stylish mainstay used in many parts of a wedding. These distinctive accents are so quick and easy to create – and the customization options are truly endless.

In this quick video demonstration by Vonda LaFever AIFD, CFD, PFCI, learn how to create a simple hoop-shaped centerpiece using gorgeous permanent botanicals. This design starts with an exceptionally versatile base of silk Sydney eucalyptus from Pioneer Imports & Wholesale.

Vonda begins with a simple plastic hula hoop, the kind that you can find in any department store toy aisle. She has taken the time to wrap the hoop in white satin ribbon before the video. You would normally cover the entire hoop with ribbon, but Vonda has left the bottom exposed to show that any kind of hoop can be used.

The handsome “Woodland” rectangular planter from Pioneer will serve as the centerpiece base. Vonda wedges small blocks of floral foam between the hoop and the planter to ensure a snug and secure fit.

After the hoop is secured into the planter base, Vonda begins attaching the silk eucalyptus around the body using one full garland to start. You may need to trim the garland or use more than one piece of garland depending on the size of your hoop.

Vonda has trimmed another silk eucalyptus garland into smaller pieces to complete the base. She gently slides each one into the floral foam, radiating outward from the center. If you do not have enough garland to conceal the foam, consider adding some other type of cover like moss.

There are so many ways to customize this centerpiece. Here, Vonda completes the design by hanging four natural touch silk calla lily stems from the top of the hoop. This draws a lovely rich eggplant color into the arrangement along with a bright pop of green. Experiment with other silk flower or foliage options for a bounty of inspiration.

You can find the silk calla lilies, silk Sydney eucalyptus garland, and “Woodland” rectangular wooden planter all available through the Pioneer Imports & Wholesale website – along with a diverse range of other permanent botanical and silk foliage options to suit the theme of any event.

Shop products from the video:

#PWG1098GR – Sydney Eucalyptus Garland
#64846-00 – “Woodland” Rectangular Planter 20” x 4” x 4”, Natural
#PWC1112EP – Calla Lily Stem 21” – Eggplant
Ribbon

Watch the video here!

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Video: Dusty Miller Bouquet

- Monday, September 17, 2018

Video Summary written for Pioneer Imports & Wholesale by: Lisa B.

Find your new favorite accent for permanent botanical arrangements with this video demonstration featuring Vonda LaFever AIFD, PFCI, CFD.

Vonda introduces an especially versatile pick from the Pioneer Imports & Wholesale catalog – the silk dusty miller stem, a gorgeous soft green silk foliage option that can easily enhance any type of project. Vonda creates a simple bouquet as an example of its incredible potential.

This bouquet demonstration uses one stem of silk dusty miller, one bush of artificial tealeaf for the decorative berries, and a bouquet of Real Touch silk calla lilies. With just these simple ingredients, Vonda creates an event-ready composition.

A time lapse shows the construction process. First, Vonda trims the silk dusty miller into a few smaller sections. She places the smaller sections around the group of silk calla lilies as a collar. She places the larger bunch into the center, ensuring that the leaves go between the silk calla lily blooms to create separation and volume. Vonda places the silk tealeaf stems in a halo around the edges of the bouquet.

As Vonda notes, all that is left to finish the arrangement is to bind the bouquet stems together.

You can find this exceptionally versatile silk dusty miller stem available from the Pioneer Imports & Wholesale catalog, along with the silk tealeaf bush and the real touch silk calla lily. Pioneer offers a diverse range of other silk flower and foliage options as well – explore the Pioneer catalog to find the right permanent botanicals and accessories for any occasion.

Shop products from the video:

#PSD127GRGY – Dusty Miller, Green/Gray
#29146WH – Mini Calla Lily Bouquet, White

#PWT2053 – Tealeaf Bush with Berries, Gray/Green

Watch the video here!

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Video: Seating Chart with Orange Calla Lilies

- Friday, September 14, 2018

Video Summary written for Pioneer Imports & Wholesale by: Lisa B.

There are so many interesting ways to handle wedding seating charts. In this video, Vonda LaFever AIFD, PFCI, CFD offers up one stylish idea that easily incorporates with the floral themes used throughout the venue.

Each place card or escort card is made from beautiful wholesale real touch calla lilies and ribbon from Pioneer, along with antique-style keys that you would find at any local craft store. Vonda has attached a number to each of these elegant arrangements.

Guests can grab a key and head to the table of their choice. Or, they can look for the key associated with their name and head to an assigned seat, depending on the seating chart style you have chosen. This fun idea is open to a wide range of variations.

Find the perfect silk flower accents and ribbon choices to create expertly-coordinated seating chart accessories with help from the Pioneer Imports & Wholesale website.

Shop products from the video:

#PWC0103OG – Calla Lily Stem, 21”, Orange
Ribbon
Keys from craft store

Watch the video here!

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Wedding Wows #4: Escort cards

- Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Wedding design and marketing ideas from Vonda LaFever AIFD, PFCI
Text by Bruce Wright

This relatively new idea has quickly taken hold with brides across the country. Instead of referring to a seating chart, guests look for their names printed on cards or tags, displayed near the entrance to the reception.

The card tells the guest his or her table number. “It ‘escorts’ the guest to the right table,” Vonda explains, where he or she may find a place card, or simply take a seat if there are no place cards.

“The opportunity for you as a florist is that very often, escort cards double as wedding favors that express the wedding style and theme,” Vonda continues.

For example: for an autumn wedding with a rustic theme, you might suggest silk calla lilies in a bright pumpkin shade, each tied with satin corsage ribbon to an old-fashioned, cast-iron key—all displayed against a barnboard backdrop.

For a more formal wedding, you could offer white silk flowers attached to an oversize gold or silver ring.

It begins with asking your customer, “Are you having escort cards?” and following up with, “Let me give you a couple of ideas.”

Floral concepts for escort cards can also make a great in-shop display, not to mention an attention-getting post on Pinterest or Instagram.

It’s all about, not just making the sale, but positioning yourself as the wedding expert who is up on the trends and full of creative ideas.

Floral wedding trends you can take to the bank.

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Tour Our Spring/Summer 2018 Showroom!

Amanda Thomas - Thursday, April 05, 2018

Spring is in full swing at Pioneer Imports & Wholesale! Come see our Spring & Summer 2018 Showroom for yourself or take a virtual tour below. Our showroom is located at 500 W. Bagley Rd., Berea, Ohio 44017 and our hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We'd love to see you!

Please note: Vendor’s license in a related trade is required.

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Video: Bridal Show Success: Bouquets

Amanda Thomas - Friday, February 02, 2018

Video Summary written for Pioneer Imports & Wholesale by: Lisa B.

Building bouquet examples is a fantastic way to interact with potential customers during a bridal show. In this video, Sue Huelsman AIFD demonstrates how to build a bouquet on the spot while keeping conversation centered around your offerings.

Sue begins by suggesting helpful pieces to bring so you can show customers how you can create a bouquet for their specific preferences. Pioneer offers a wide selection of wholesale silk flowers like hydrangeas, roses, calla lilies, and a range of brand new pieces you’ll want to see and bring with you.

As you’re interacting with your customers, Sue suggests showing off these pieces, even explaining which types of flowers you’re using since your customers may not be familiar with the styles. Do this as you begin to build the bouquet – add in the complements like roses or lilies, especially focusing on the specific color accents the customer may want. This gives you a way to show how you’re going to make the bouquets personal just for them.

Sue suggests topics of conversation to use as you work, like the size of the bouquet and the shapes of the bouquet or centerpieces. This allows you to advertise your various offerings all while you’re creating something unique just for that customer.

As Sue wraps up the video, she notes that your customers are going to be amazed that you have the bouquet finished in just the small amount of time you were talking to them. After just a couple of minutes you have something you can tie off and present as a striking example of a gorgeous custom bouquet tailored to the preferences they shared.

Don’t forget to browse through the Pioneer Imports and Wholesale website for ideas and inspiration – Pioneer offers a wide range of silk flowers, foliage, and accessories to make your next bridal show a tremendous success.

Shop products from the video:

#PWH2077CHK – Hydrangea Stem, Chalk

#30399CR – Ashley Rose Bouquet, Cream

#PWC0108WH – Calla Lily Stem, White

Watch the video here!

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Video: Centerpieces - The Center of Attention

Sarah Botchick - Thursday, January 11, 2018

Video Summary written for Pioneer Imports & Wholesale by: Lisa B

Because potential customers are likely going to be interested in seeing different centerpiece styles across various price points, it’s important to underscore the true versatility of your offerings. In this video, Sue Huelsman AIFD walks through the process of putting together a table that demonstrates a wide variety of centerpiece options all in one cohesive display.

Sue begins by discussing the flexibility of a classic candelabra. A candelabra can easily display arrangements on top or arrangements on the arms. Of course, it can also be used for its traditional purpose of holding candles as well.

Next, Sue explores the matter of table composition. Placing fresh or silk flower arrangements in a medium sized urn can add eye-catching height to the display, bringing it off the table. Low centerpieces help strike a sense of balance – as customers look in to view the arrangement, it shows what they’re going to see as they’re sitting at a table.

Smaller containers are great candidates for mixing and matching to create an engaging and varied tablescape. You can use these smaller vessels to hold handtied silks, showing your bouquet skills and beautiful arrangements at the same time.

Pioneer Imports and Wholesale offers a wide range of vases, containers, and accessories like those shown in this video. Pioneer is also a premier source of wholesale silk flowers and foliage in a variety of on-trend colorways – perfect for centerpieces. Explore the Pioneer website to see how you can take your bridal show centerpiece displays to the next level.

Shop products from video:

#PWC0106WH – Calla Lily Stem

#PWH2097CHK – Extra Large Hydrangea Stem in Chalk

#35938 – Aluminum Pedestal Vase

Watch the complete video:

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Ins and Outs of Silk Calla Lilies at Pioneer

Hannah Hill - Thursday, July 20, 2017

Calla Lilies are some of our most popular flowers for wedding and event designs. Here at Pioneer Imports & Wholesale we have a variety of artificial silk calla lilies for you to choose from. Our chart below is a great "cheat sheet" to help you decide which calla lily will work best for your designs.

Calla Lilies - "Real Touch" Polyurethane - The softest, most realistic feeling flowers on the market.

PWC0104WH- 15” Mini Calla