Part 1: What In The World Is A Glamelia?

This is part one of a series on Glamelias. Parts 2 and 3 will offer a glamelia gallery and some tutorials. 

But first things first. What is a glamelia?

 

Image:  via The Knot

Glamelia

A glamelia is a composite bouquet. It's made from the petals of many different flowers to form one large one. Nowadays, any handmade flower comprised of parts of several flowers or plants is called a glamelia.

 
A Real Camelia

Image:  Growing Up With Plants

 

But the name glamelia really goes back to the 1940's and 50's. During the war,camelia blooms were very expensive. So people took the petals of the less expensive gladiolas and made them into what looked like a more expensive flower.

 

Gladiola Glamelia 

 Image: via Blossom Floral Design

 

The petals of the gladiolus were combined to make a camelia-like flowers. So the gla from gladiolus and melia from the camelia were joined to form the term glamelia.

 

 Further Reading:

"Glamorous Glamelia Bouquets" - Blossom Floral Design blog (no longer updated)

"Glamelia: The Glorified Flower" - Rhonda Patton Weddings and Events

"Composite Bridal Bouquets Make Comeback"  - About Flowers Blog

 

Glamelia Adventure

I confess. Up until about 9 months ago I had never seen or heard of a glamelia. I would love to master this technique and place it on the Fly Me To The Moon Florists website. But somehow, I don't think that will be happening. Well not any time soon anyway.

So let's explore glamelias together. I promise I'll share everything I learn.

 

Don't miss the rest of the series on glamelias:

Part 2 - Glamelia Gallery

Part 3 - How To Make A Glamelia

 

What do you think of glamelias?

Mimi

 

 Linking To:

At The Picket Fence

Chic On A Shoestring

Common Ground

French Country Cottage

Ivy and Elephants

My Romantic  Home

One Artsy Mama

Savvy Southern Style

Simply Sweet Home

Sugar and Spice

The Not So Functional Housewife

Tip Junkie

 

 

 

Comments

[Angela @TheNotSoFunctionalHousewife]

What a beautiful flower. I have never seen one of these! Gorgeous!

[Mimi]

Aren't these glamelias stunning?

[botanical brouhaha]

Have always loved composite bouquets...but would much rather admire one made by another designer than make one myself...they're labor intensive! Great post. Looking forward to the next 2 parts :)

[Mimi]

I'm with you Amy. They are a lot of work, but very beautiful. Not many resources online either. Nice to hear from you.

[Calling it Home]

I am fascinated by this one. I have never heard of it...and I can't wait to see how it is made. Seems like a lot of labor.

[Mimi]

Glamelias have an interesting history. I'm very fascinated by them too. Dave, my business partner is interested in making one. He's very exacting and intuitive about how to make things. I'll share when it's done. Not any time soon though.

[Amy]

Thanks for introducing me to this beaut!! I always learn new things from you!

Thanks for sharing at Drab to Fab last week.

Below is the link for today's party! Come on back and link up some more of your posts (old or new)

http://www.amynjesse.com/2012/04/drab-to-fab-link-party-14.html

Have a lovely weekend :)

Amy @ Sugar and Spice

[Mimi]

The glamelia is quite different isn't it? Hope you keep reading the rest of this 4 part series. Have a wonderful weekend!

[Vidya @ Whats Ur Home Story]

Never knew what a Glamelia was! Thank you. Reading through everything. :)

[Mimi]

It's pretty new to me too, but very cool. Thanks for your comment.