Mother's Day Demo @ Tangs & Takashimaya

Mother's Day Floral Demonstration 2009
Invitation by Cristal D'Arques to demonstrate fresh flower arrangements using crystal vases from France

I've been teaching and demonstrating in classroom settings for so many years. I thought this public demo in the middle of both Tangs and Taka's Household departments would be different. As it progressed, it turned out to be quite similar except instead of the usual captive audience, there was some 'competition' from the surrounding demo tables. Next to me was a herbal chicken demo and the smell was most delicious.

So with people enticed by the smell, the demo started with a few people gathered round; mostly friends! But once I started showing the different kinds of floral foam and demonstrated with the small bud vase, more people stopped to look and I could feel the audience getting interested.

The first vase was the smallest and I progressively went to bigger vases, showing the different techniques to apply with each type of vase, size, neck shape and crystal pattern. I used flowers which were more unusual like Pincushion, Agapanthus and lime Cymbidium orchids while also showing stables like red Rose, Carnations and Hypericum.
By the 2nd round (2 rounds at each venue over 2 weekends), everything went very smoothly and each subsequent demo got longer and longer. For the very first demo, I did a lot of prep work so I went through the various arrangements for the 4 vases very fast. However, as I was contracted for 40 min, I had to lengthen my spiel.

From the 2nd demo onwards, I did less prep, showed the actual cutting and inserting and gave some background into the mechanics of floral arrangement.

Altogether a most enriching experience for me. I gather the audience enjoyed themselves too as there were a number of crystal sales and enquiries after the sessions.

Thank you God for being with me and thank you friends and helpers for praying and supporting me in my floral adventure (:

A happy customer