A Candle Cup of Flowers

Many of you have asked about the flower arrangement I did on one of my Thanksgiving tables in a candle cup.  It's a way to use a candle stick to add flowers, or replace the candle totally with flowers.  It holds oasis, so the flowers will last and last.  This is a great way to add some elevation to your table.  Here are the simple tools I needed to create an arrangement using only grocery store flowers.

                                                                               

If you can't find the plastic candle cup, ask your florist if you can buy one.  They are very inexpensive.  I think I pay $1.35 at wholesale.  They are reusable if you replace the oasis each time.  Take the candle cup and, using the top, press lightly into the oasis to make a slight indentation.  Here you can see the nub that goes into the candle stick hole.

This is the shape of the insert you need.

Using a knife, cut away the oasis until you have a small block that easily fits into the cup.  I cut it in half depthwise.  You can use a deeper piece if you want a really deep arrangement.  Thoroughly soak the oasis in water.

Stick the candle shaped bottom into your candlestick.

When entirely soaked, put the oasis in the cup.  Do you see that there is a reservoir for water?

If you are using a candle, put it in now.  You can simply add flowers at this point, too.

Using short sturdy stems, begin filling in the spaces until you have it filled and nicely shaped.  As I looked at this, I decided I wanted it to be a bit softer on the bottom with something hanging down.

I looked outside and brought in some reddish berries and very small leaves.  Can you see the slight difference?

Remember that you'll be seeing it elevated at about eye level, so you'll want to be sure you can't see the plastic.  This is an especially nice alternative to one floral arrangement and two flanking candles.  I use it often if I have fruit or something else interesting in the center of the table.