Flower Wedding Monogram In Fruit Display

Tiny white flowers for initials, Chinese cabbage for chrysanthemums and daikon for roses.

C and M initials are carved and decorated with flowers to complete a wedding monogram.

 

This is a very special design done for Crystal Themed wedding. Maria, the bride, said that they were going to have several decorations made of crystal, as crystal broche at her bridal bouquet and crystal initials on top of wedding cake.

I used the idea of crystals for the watermelon design. The tiny flowers attached to the letters look like crystals.  The special thing about the design is the white flowers. They change color when lighten with colorful disco lights.

 

If you want to learn how to carve beautiful designs in watermelons check the book Basic Watermelon Thai Carving Book Beautiful Patterns

Details of the fruit platter. Carved apple.

Birds of daikon

Fruit platter design

 

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Carving Art Exhibition 2013

In the end of November my sudio took a part in a big food event. Within Sakhalin Food Show-2013 we had a fruit carving exhibition, there my students and I presented our art.

At the food show we met colleaugues from Carving Academy (Moscow).

I am happy to share with you pictures of my team and our works.

Our flower corner

Watermelon. melon and pumpkin, work of mine

Vegetable carving bouquet arranged in my Ikebana vase,
work of mine

My team and a person from Carving Academy

Watermelon carving, made by my Irina, a student of mine

Bell pepper bouquet, made by Olga, my student and client

Me, Olga and Claudia

Pumpkin vase, made by Olga, my other student

Vegetable bouquet in a pumpkin vase, made by Claudia.

Olga (author of the pumpkin vase) posing for the local news page

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How To Carve And Color Flowers of Vegetables. Carnation and Orchid Flowers

This small carving bouquet  in the photo is made with materials, which left after the "Australian" fruit display.

It's a simple bouquet arranged in martini glass, with carnation and orchid flowers carved of daikon radish. 

Today's post is about carving and coloring vegetable flowers.

How to color vegetable carving flowers

Liquid food colorings are perfect for carving needs. 10-15 drops are enough to 300 ml of water.

Add more coloring drops when you want to have your flowers brighter.

In 10 minutes remove your flowers on to a paper towel. Let them dry for a while (about 10 minutes).

You are done. Now you can use the colored flowers for arranging a display.

How to color flowers carved of vegetables

Simple technique of carving Orchids of vegetables

In my fruit carving job I use this quick technique to make branches of orchid flowers named Phalaenopsis. 

You will need:

a piece of daikon

a radish

Instruction:

1. Peel daikon and cut sides in angle to a point. 

2. Carve a simple flower as shown in the picture.

3. Correct  petals with a knife.

4. Color the flower in green.

5. Carve a rose of radish and pick together the green flower and the rose with a toothpick.

Simple method of carving orchid of vegetable

Color flowers of dailon in green

I like arranging these simple flowers in branches of orchids:

branches of orchid flowers arranged in an edible ikebana

How to carve carnation of vegetable.

Alternative method

I know two methods of carving carnation flower of vegetables. 

A famous one can be learned by watching the tutorial Thai Vegetable and Fruit Carving Book and VCD Multimedia, Original from Thailand

The other method of carving carnation was demonstrated by Thai chef, Mr.Chat Kunsri, at Carving Contest 2011 in Tokyo. The Chef did the flower in watermelon. See the pictures from his demo How To Carve Carnation In Watermelon

Carnation of daikon, carved by the Chef's method, and colored after.

Colored flowers in a fruit carving arrangement

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Fruit Carving Display From Australian Customer

Few days ago I got a call from Australia.

A Russian family from Applecross, Western Australia, would love to send a birthday fruit arrangement to their relative who lives on Sakhalin in my home town. 

Today the birthday guy was given with the fruit present and greetings. 

Here are photographs of the display.

Birthday fruit carving display

Fruits:
watermelon, apples, kiwi, grapes, plums, mandarins, phisalys

Vegetable carving flowers:
carrot, daikon. radish

Tools:
Thai knife for watermelon carving
UV-knives for apple garnish and flowers

In my next post I will show how to carve the flowers and color them.

Vegetable carving flowers and fruit plate

Back side of the display

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Beach Theme Wedding

It's Friday today and the Beach Theme Wedding out here!

Beach theme or sea theme is inspiring for a fruit carving artist. So many fruit crafts and designs can be done. Sea creatures, ships, fish, exotic birds, melon bungalow, melon shell basket, Hawaiian Luau theme, pumpkin lanterns with a romantic pattern (dear readers, let's do a brain storm, please continiue the list with your ideas in the comment bar!).

Since there are no exotic fruits here in Sakhalin even papaya and mango is a rare fruit here, I had to use simple products like carrot, radish, melon and watermelon. I decided to pay attantion to details to make the guests feel  like they are on the beach. I also had a task to fit the client's budget.

Before carrying out this project I sent a drawing with my comments on the design to my clients for their approval. Their answer was Yes we want it!!!

Beach Theme Wedding Project

Melon turtle. A turtle is a symbol of long life and wisdom. It's a mascot for welfare and prosperity. 

Fruit carving topiary on bamboo stands. The stands are not a real bamboo, they are immitation made of a local material, north bamboo, 3 meter high plant which is widely grow on Sakhalin island. Its botanical name is  Polygonum sachalinense. I like to use it for my crafts.

Carrot shell. The shells are carved out of carrot.

The Beach Theme fruit carving display

Watermelon carving details and exotic flower out of kiwi and apple

Melon turtle with carrot head and legs

Carrot flowers and grape bouquet on the bamboo stand

Radish flowers and grape bouquet on the bamboo imitated stand 

Carrot shell and the north bamboo stand bound up with rafia

Head table decoration, Beach theme wedding

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Class on Making a Vegetable Bouquet

I want to share some pictures from my class on making a flower bouquet. There are works of my students and one of mine on the photo. 

At the class we carved flowers out of chinese cabbage, daikon, zuccini, cucumber and carrot. The flowers are not complicated. You can find them in the books and DVD's teaching basic skills. But I am not sure if all the books teach how to arrange the carving centerpieces in a nice bouquet. 

I love the photo because it shows the variety of arrangements in spite of using the same flowers made with the same tools. 

See other arrangements in the pumpkin frame:

Pumpkin Displays for the City Day

Sausage Bouquet in the Pumpkin Frame

Cook Like a Star

Share your carving work and win a special prize from GarnishFood Blog. Check out the details!

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Photo Report of The 'Crazy Hand-Made' Exhibition, September 2012

On September 30, 2012 my Carving Studio participated in the 'Crazy Hand-Made' exhibition. 'Crazy Hand-Made' is a name of crafter's community in my hometown. 

Every exhibition I show new displays never made before. When an idea or an image comes to my mind I write them into my A4 notebook. Some of them I use for my work, others have to be tested before. An exhibition is a perfect occasion to try new things out.

I invited my students again to make carving displays. I asked them to not take the exhibition seriosly and let them play with materials. I believe that even basic skills can amaze. See what we made!

Click photo for bigger size

Fruit owl on the pumpkin moon and vegetable roses bouquets. Work of mine

Lemons and daikon roses, playing with colors. Work of mine.

Beet roses arranged in the metal vase.
Simple things look great when you add interesting details. Work of mine.

Melon and fantasy flowers on the holder made of  Sakhalin bamboo.
Work of mine.

Zuccini ship with gladiolus sails. Inspired by the painting. Made by Tatiana

Ice rock out of daikon and penguin finger food. New look of the popular food idea.
Made by Galina.

Vegetable flowers. Made by Natalie

Marrow squash house. Made by Natalie.

Watermelon carving by Claudia.

Visitors took photographs and asked the recipe of the penguins :) The favorite displays were the Ice Rock, the Marrow House and the Owl on the Moon. I think this is becouse they are simple and reqired a little of carving experience to do.
I had 'Triangle' tools and carving books for sale. And, of course, a short free class was given.

I show how to make the fantasy flowers

Carving propaganda :) Try for free and take a paid course after

tools

Take a look or take a try!

The results of the exhibition:

• Studio advertising
• Tools sales
• Contact list for classes
• My students are inspired for the Christmas exhibition in December
• short inreview on a local TV 

Just to remind that The Fall Carving Contest 2012 is on its first stage. Submit your carving work up to September 24 and take a chance to win a lovely prize! Feel free in using materials and creating displays. Never mind if you are just a begginer or non-experienced. I have a surprise for you!

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