Designing for the Carmel Garden Club

Last Thursday, I made a presentation to the Carmel Garden Club. They are a dedicated group of garden lovers!


I created several designs while I entertained the ladies with floral humor.

Ready for Halloween…an easy design that whips together in minutes!

Here is a leaf cornucopia ready for the bountiful harvest for your Thanksgiving dinner.

After the demonstration they raffled the designs to the enthusiastic winners. Just a great afternoon here in Carmel!

Flood at Twigery!

It's not all roses at Twigery!


Last week was very eventful. All of us in California experienced a massive rain and windstorm that we have not seen since the 1960’s.

At Twigery, there was additional excitement. We had a flood in the studio. While most of the businesses in Carmel-by-the-Sea did not have electricity and were closed, we had light, but wet floors. What a mess, but we prevailed and stayed open through it all.

We are back in full swing, however, and look forward to you stopping by to say hello!

Oasis and the environment

Michael has always been conscious of how creating his designs impacts the world in which we all live. Carmel-by-the-Sea is a special place to all of us, and using environmentally-friendly materials is important to maintaining the pristine nature of the area.

We are often asked about our floral foam, a product known commonly as "oasis" since it is manufactured by the Smithers-Oasis company in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Several of our customers recently inquired as to the environmental viability of the oasis foam.

Michael is a floral designer, not a chemist, but he wanted to give you all a real answer. Where better than the people that make the stuff? We called Smithers-Oasis and they directed us to their website - they have posted an Environmental Statement.

Some of the pertinent facts from that statement:

- "Our floral foam is based on inert phenolic resin technology, the same chemistry that is used for the handles of kitchen cook ware. Our resin, when made into our cellular floral foam, is fully polymerized and reacted, with only small traces of free acid (much lower than that of cola beverage products), which may be neutralized by adding water."

- "In 1981, as part of our commitment to being an accountable, socially and environmentally responsible company, Smithers-Oasis was the first in our industry to eliminate the use of freon from floral foam production. Moreover, we've successfully reduced our volatile organic compound emissions (VOCs) by more than 85 percent over the past 25 years."

- "Our post-harvest products are specially formulated to maintain an optimal environment for cut flowers by adjusting the water pH for maximum uptake, providing a source of energy for the flower, and keeping the flower stems open and free flowing."

Michael is monitoring this closely. If he feels that oasis is harmful, he'll find another product.

Carmel Art and Film Festival

Michael was asked to design a centerpiece for the opening event for the annual Carmel Art and Film Festival. The event is to be held at the Sunset Center.


Michael and Cheryl beginning the design:


Michael adding materials:

The finished design:


Delivery in the Twigery "deux cheveau:"



In place at the Sunset Center:

The party is in a few minutes - ready to go in the "deux cheveau:"

Arriving at the event:

The design at the party!

The new ride

We found a great car for the studio - a 1974 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston, more commonly known as a "deux chevaux vapeur" (two steam horses) or just "deux chevaux."

The car has generated a lot of interest - people from all over (including two visitors from Paris today) stop by to ask about it and take pictures. Stop by and see it.

Fall is Arriving

Fall is arriving at Twigery. We want to share the ambiance that has been created with the straw covered floor and gourds and pumpkins that highlight the studio.

We have our own gigantic green Hungarian gourd weighing in at about 300 pounds!


As we write this, new and wonderful products from around the world are arriving daily. French wire, wine basket bottles from France, Mediterranean olive jugs, Asian baskets, and trellises for planting your sweet peas to name a few intriguing items.

Of course, we will always have the most unusual and unique cut flowers, berries and foliages to accent your home, upcoming party, or just that special thinking of you gift.

So, stop by, when you are in Carmel-by-the-Sea for a little “fall eye candy.”

Concours d'Elegance

Just a quick note to brag a bit.

Michael's arrangement was awarded an Honorable Mention in the local window display contest - of course the theme was automotive in celebration of the annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

The cars and celebrities kept us busy as Carmel was packed.

This was our favorite:

Next year's event is scheduled for August 15 - see you there!