Flower Farm: Miniature & Freestyle Ikebana

Description: Through this class, participants will hand-pick and cut all their plant material straight from the flower farm and then learn how to create a miniature ikebana arrangement as well as a freestyle arrangement.  The class will take place under a shaded gazebo and shears will be provided to cut the plant materials.  Please bring your own containers for miniature ikebana and for your freestyle arrangement.  I will have mini containers for people to borrow if needed. 

(*Reference the full list of what to bring at the bottom). 

Miniature Ikebana

Miniature Ikebana is composed of several tiny arrangements that feature specific or special parts of the plant material.  The arranger must be creative in finding small containers for these arrangements.  Options may include, but are not limited to, ceramics, lipstick caps, shot glasses, perfume bottles, mini liquor bottles, and/or create your own.  Anything that is tiny, solid, and can hold water could be used as a container. 

Select 5-7 mini containers, then closely examine your plant materials.  Observe carefully the different parts of them including petals, pistils, stamens, fruits, leaves, branches, stems, etc… and look for new discoveries that might not have been noticed before.  Pretend you are an insect living in a micro world; this might help you hunt for unique parts. 

Miniature ikebana is usually displayed on a base plate such as a tray, paper, felt, a mirror, wood, aluminum, copper, etc… Place the mini's on the base plate so that a movement or a flow can be felt by the way they are arranged.  Spacing is very important when placing your miniatures.  When finished, the collective arrangement should feel like a tiny original plant world or microcosm. 

Freestyle

After the mini arrangement is complete, the participants will create a freestyle arrangement with their own creative expression.  Enjoy arranging with your own intuition, imagination, and personality.  Self-expression and a collaboration with the materials from the farm will be a key component when creating your freestyle arrangement. 

The Farm:

This class will take place at Gather Mountain Blooms.  The farm is run by three sisters who started an urban cut-flower farm in Colorado Springs located at the historic Venetucci Farm. Grown from a personal story of hardship, they believe in the power of locally grown flowers to foster healing, connection, and joy across the community.    

Gather Mountain Blooms Website: https://www.gathermountainblooms.com/

Things to Bring to Class:

• Sunscreen/ Sunglasses/ Hat

• Water Bottle

• Garden Gloves

• Container for Freestyle Arrangement

• 5-7 Mini Containers (**or you may borrow mini containers)

• bucket to take home flowers from the farm

• Class will be held at Gather Mountain Blooms flower farm.  Located at: 5210 S US Hwy 85 87, Colorado Springs, CO 80911

•Restrooms are provided in the form of clean porta potties.

•This class is weather permitting, so if the class is cancelled due to weather, then the rescheduled date will be *Saturday, August 29.