Hitomi Gilliam

CONCEPT #1: Vertical Bamboo grid with Washi Paper

CONSTRUCTION OF THE STRUCTURE:

Organic alternative to hot glue and chicken wire were explored in this construction.

Homemade (DIY) glue for adhering paper to bamboo skewers, and paper to paper with satisfactory result.  DIY glue definitely takes longer to adhere…. 

Wood and bamboo skewer construction to build the wood structure… using bamboo skewer like screw or nail through tight fitting drilled holes.

Once the bamboo skewers that were drilled into both ends of the wood frame become a secure grid, the additional skewers can now be wedged and woven in between to create a chicken wire like effect.

Add 2 raffia wrapped Reed Arcs to add dimension (depth) and contrasting curvilinear shapes to soften the rigidity of the structure. 

WATERSOURCE:

Attach the Equisetum vertically with waxed hemp, top down to the wood frame so that the fatter end of the Equisetum with maximum water holding capacity is at the top.  These top watertubes and select in-between the nodes segments intermittently can be filled with water to hold the flowers. 

(see the Equisetum as watertube Youtube video)

DECORATIVE PAPER FEATURE WITH SILKWORM COCOONS:

Torn Washi paper is scrunched into 3D pucker… these are glued to the bamboo skewer weave from the front side and back, paper to bamboo, paper to paper in an asymmetrical linear flow downward leaving several spots for gluing in the silkworm cocoons for beautiful textural contrast,white on white.

FLOWERING: Short Gloriosa lilies, Amaranthus caudatus and Love in a puff Vine (Cardiospermum) stems are sustainable in this structure with regular watering with water bottle. 

BOTANICAL LIST:  Gloriosa superba;  Alocasia amazonica;  Amaranthus caudatus;  Love in a Puff vine (Cardiospermum halicacabum);  Dahlia ‘Totally Tangerine’ centers    

Concept #2: Wax as glue and stiffener for Paper Construction

Beeswax melted into a double boiler pot, or a crock pot… serving as gluing agent for paper works.

Also have the ability to stiffen the paper for structural integrity.

Remember… Beeswax is organic.  Paraffin wax is a contaminant, made from petroleum-based byproduct.

Concept #3: Coconut as a Container

We know that Coconut is hollow and is waterproof… it holds the coconut drink inside.  The shell is hard and durable… it can be cut in half or wherever you like, best with a handsaw.  Power tool can be dangerous cutting through the tangle of exterior fiber, and also in the inside coconut meat layer.

The inside white coconut layer can be removed, leaving a beautifully water-tight container that is 100% organic.

COCONUT STAND:

There are many ways to build the structure or stand to hold this container…. Get creative!!!

Cedar wood base with 2 – ¼” holes drilled through for vertical placement of marshmallow bamboo Skewers. 2 holes drilled on either top side of the coconut container. Waxed hemp string to tie through each hole to the bamboo uprights, holds the coconut in place. 2 bamboo skewers are tied together at the top… easy coconut stand!!

FLOWERING:

The mechanics of the 2 bamboo uprights can be softened by draping with Clematis montana vines.

Tillandsia xerographica leaflets attached to the structure with waxed hemp string adds curvilinear swirls to the structure, adding attach and weaving points.

Grasses both fresh and dried soften the hardness of the straight bamboo uprights.  With light and transparent materials, you can begin to camouflage the hard lines of the structure.

How much you fill this structure with botanicals is up to you.

All fresh stems can have the coconut shell as the watersource.

2 Alocasia leaves are in equisetum water tubes and are attached to strategic points of the structure.

BOTANICAL LIST:  Dahlia ‘Miss Teagan’;   Amaranthus caudatus;   Scabiosa stellata pods;   Zantedeschia elliottiana;   Miscanthus sinensis ‘Red Cloud’;   Alocasia amazonica;  Clematis montana ‘Rubens’;  Tillandsia xerographica;   Ficus benghalensis roots

Concept #4: TERRA BRICK (Smithers-Oasis – NEW)

Wherever you wish you could use foam…. There is a new Coconut Coir based Organic alternative.  

It is shallow so the advice is to use it in combination with stick structure as an overlay for multiple attach points to hold stems in place.

With the combination of hold…. It should provide a very good water source.

SIMPLE ORGANIC USE:

Place dry Terra Brick piece in an organic Palm Leaf based compostable bowl.

Either tie around with waxed hemp, or use 2 small rubber bands to hold the foam in the container securely.

Concept #5: FIBER FLORAL (Smithers-Oasis – NEW) or AGRAWOOL

Another alternative to standard foam…. AGRAWOOL, or FIBER FLORAL.

A little more carbon footprint in its production process…. it is made from Basalt and type of sucrose (cane or beet sugar) is made from all natural occurring products – organic.

SIMPLE APPLICATION:

Place the desired size of Agrawool or Fiber Floral in an organic container (terracotta tray). Fasten it in place in between 2 sticks, fastening them down with Rubber band and/or Bongo ties (watch the short video on Bongo Tie).  This way, the release of the finished flowers and biodegradable foam is quick and easy by releasing the bongo ties, to be reused.

Concept #6: MYCELIUM FOAM anchor with TERRA BRICK layer & River Rock cover

Stability of the vertical structuring for upright design is possible with multi-layer construction within 

your reusable container (organic: glass, pottery, ceramic, wood, stone, plant-based multi fiber plastic, etc.)

The Mycelium Foam serves as an alternative to Styrofoam, to give stability to any structure building above the container… a firm foam that will insure solid hold on the bamboo insertion.

Terra Brick for holding flower stems securely and be the water source.

River Rock overlay covers the Terra Brick so it instantly covers the mechanics, yet you can insert flower stems through them (requires less flower stems in this design).

Water covers over the rocks, so the stems of flowers are seemingly coming out of rocks serving as mechanics. 

The marshmallow bamboo skewers serve as attach point for any structural building above the container…. With branches, vines, etc. to be part of the holding and shaping structure of stems, for an upright vertical design.

Concept #7: Coconut Coir with Lentils Growing

As previously presented briefly during Green Talks in the spring…

Exploring further the possibility of coconut coir used as loose substrate soaked with water, covered with light sprinkling of Lentils.  Allow the seeds to sprout and grow, producing roots which provide the structure within the coconut coir to hold stems.  A GROWING, SPROUTING FOAM.

Concept #8: LUFFA in Glass (x2)

Natural LUFFA sponge soaked in water to fill a container, provides spaces for placement of stems…

Wedging stems outside the sponge…

Use natural opening in the sponge to insert stems…

As well as create openings to hold stems in position.

Glass Cube BOTANICAL LIST:  Dahlia ‘Crème de Cassis’;  Cardiospermum halicacabum;  Craspedia glauca; Chocolate Lace (Daucus carota)

Glass Cylinder BOTANICAL LIST:  Dahlia ‘Liquid Desire’;  Hydrangea macrophylla;  Curculigo capitulata;  Miscanthus sinensis ‘Red Cloud’;  Explosion Grass (Panicum elegans)  

Concept #9: River Rocks in Container with Branches to start the Structure Building

Just designing in water, in a container with support of branches which are attached to the container with rubber band, and interconnected within the container with Bongo ties (instead of plastic zip ties single use plastic).  Attach stick structure with waxed hemp string to establish the pattern of flowering.

Concept #10: HEMP FIBER INSULATION to hold Cut Bamboo Tube Sections

ABOUT HEMP:

Hemp fiber from industrial hemp plant is one of nature’s wonders.  Hemp fiber ‘breathes’ and is biodegradable.  It is the most environmentally friendly fiber of hundred uses.

Oldest piece of paper, over 2000 years old was discovered in China, made of hemp.

Until 1883, between 75% and 90% of all paper in the world was made with hemp fiber.

Hemp is robust in its growth and attract few pests. No need for artificial pesticides, herbicides or fertilizer.

Hemp has deep root system that prevents soil erosion, suppression of weeds, removes toxins (ability to absorb poisonous substances and heavy metals), provides disease break, and aerate the soil to the benefit of future crops.

It is a renewable resource which grows quickly.

The bark of the hemp stalk contains BAST fibers – earth’s longest natural soft fibers, rich in cellulose

HEMP FIBER INSULATION:

Aside from its lightweight quality, breathability, non-toxic and its ability to absorb double amount of heat as insulation…. It resist mold, and have the ability to absorb and release moisture without deteriorating.

I used it to fill the square glass dish, and to hold water inside the bamboo tubes (the leftover from cutting out the watertubes around the nodes) which were placed in clusters to hold stems of flowers.  You can’t insert stems freely into the insulation, but you can open up spaces to fit cluster of bamboo tubes which can fill up at the same level of water in the dish to hold stems strategically.

The fiber insulation has great texture and organic appearance that is desirable which can be planted with seeds, in this case mung beans, or wheatgrass to provide additional botanical texture to add interest.

STRUCTURAL OVERLAY:

Added Reed criss-crossing within the corners and in between the sides of the glass container provides the gridding that help build the vertical insertions with stability, tying with wax hemp string in various spots…. also tying some stems to the reed in some spots start to build a strong upright structure.

FLOWERING:

Into the rigid structural overlay… you can lace with Love in a Puff vines… which then help with the vertical placement of steel grass from some of the bamboo tubes… The shorter stems of flower support the vertical upright stems to provide the stability which will help provide support for additional stem insertions to complete the design.

The transparency in this design provides the ethereal garden appearance (vegetative quality) which is the desirable effect for this design.

BOTANICAL LIST:  Steelgrass (Xanthorrhoea johnsonii);  Love in a Puff Vine (Cardiospermum halicacabum);  Explosion Grass (Panicum elegans);  Dahlia ‘HS First Love’;  Chocolate Lace (Daucus carota);  Germini var.;  Marigold ‘Orange Hawaii’ (Tagetes erecta)    

Concept #11: Ceramic Container with BIRCH BARK strips and HEMP FIBER Spacers

Quick preparation to create ability for solid stem placement in the circular ceramic container, to Include the initial woody stems (Fasciated Willow) to set the tone for vertical design.

Allow the natural curvature of the Birch Bark pieces to hug the sides of the container.

Place the Hemp Fiber as spacers to create thing spaces for flower stems and foliages to firmly insert

Fill with water and start flowering

Stems can be upright, or also can lean in from one side to the other, floating over the midst.

Some foliage or vines can also bridge from one side to the other.

Concept #12: Attaching BIG POLYGONUM Watertube with BONGO TIES

Using homemade Bongo Ties as an alternative to using zipties.

To attach the big Polygonum Watertube to an upright bamboo.

Just as quick to bind with solid, no slide attachment as single use zipties. A BETTER CHOICE

And it is reusable.

Concept #13: KOREAN WOVEN FIBER WRAP over PALM LEAF DISH

2 Bamboo Skewers are inserted into the wooden board with a palm leaf dish placed in between at the base, fastened down with a stick.  

Above this stick, thread the woven fiber randomly over the skewers to create a mass of insertion opportunities like with chicken wire.

Add additional bamboo skewer to thread through the woven fiber to create a volume of insertion opportunities over the water source.

Run 2 or 3 bamboo across the 2 uprights and bind.

Its ready to flower.

Concept #14: WOVEN MIDOLLINO STICKS over REED, with MYCELIUM base & River Rocks

Ceramic rectangular container was filled at the bottom 2” with Mycelium foam.

Covered by a layer of river rocks to weigh the foam down so we can fill it with water.

Midollino sticks were assembled by criss-crossing them into a circular mat – secured at the crossing with waxed hemp string.

Weave additional sticks in, to tighten the circular mat to create the first layer of gridding over the container. 

Pin down this circular mat to the top of the container, by adding multiple Reed arcs in both #4 and #7 thickness as pins to insert firmly into the Mycelium base at the bottom of the container.

Weave over this structure with looping ends of Midollino sticks.

Finish up with weaving in 20 or 30 pieces of full length Midollino sticks to create a massive curving horizontally downward flow.

Having the 2 layers of Midollino grid structure allows for many solid insertions of vines, foliages and flower stems.

BOTANICAL BEGINNING:

An example of perfect botanical start would be to add vines flowing over in a very random patterning to add a layer of fresh gridwork as a bed for the flowers to float on.

Concept #15: KOREAN FIBER WRAP over  WOOD & BAMBOO FRAME with DRIED BOTANICALS

A larger 3D tapestry of Korean Fiber Wrap inserted and woven over the 6 vertical standing bamboo skewers on wood base board.

Into this transparent fiber tapestry, multiple bundles of natural grasses are attached in curvilinear flow

Also inserted into the weave, are many natural skeleton leaves on natural wood picks.

This results in a very ethereal, light structure to flower lightly to flatter the dreamy mood created.

Fresh flowers in Equisetum and Polygonum water tubes can be inserted in through the network of gridwork created with plenty of support build in.

Concept #16: BEESWAX WATERPROOF LINER

When there is a need for a waterproof liner for a surface or unsealed container.

Create it with BEESWAX sheet molded into the shape.

Cut the shape and melt the wax sheet to a soft moldable consistency with heat gun

Custom fit into the shape.

Concept #17: WAXED FIBER STRUCTURE over BEESWAX WATERPROOF base

Cedar wood base has been custom-fitted with the waterproof liner with Beeswax sheet.

2 upright Bamboo sticks are fitted into drilled holes to be the foundational start for this structure.

Several cross pieces of thinner bamboo skewers are bound with waxed hemp string to strengthen the frame. 

Random lengths of thick organic wool fiber are dipped into hot beeswax in the crock pot to soak.

Each length is pulled out and laid to cool on wax paper.

As it start to harden, pick the length up and shape it to build the base grid first.

The next length can be shaped to flow curvilinearly upward and curl to harden.

Build up the waxed wool fiber upward to create a dimensional nature-inspired vine-like hard wax grid

SUGGESTION FOR FLOWERING:

There are 3 ways for flowering.

Tie Equisetum stem to the structure to serve as water tubes.

Tie Polygonum or Bamboo water tubes into the structure to hold water for flowers.

Also some stems can be placed in the shallow water at the base level

Concept #18:  EASY ORGANIC RIBBON TIE for Hand-tied Bouquet – SLIP KNOT (ready made)

While re-thinking how we can create a 100% ORGANIC hand-tied bouquet…

Reviewing how we have always done it…

Hand-wrap with waxed string (paraffin) and tie…  Alternative: tie with waxed hemp string

Hand-tape with waterproof tape… (not compostable)

Zip-tie the bouquet… (single use bad plastic)

Easy ready-made Ribbon Tie to slip over the stem end, and pull to tighten.