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And finally: Our age of the fish

23/7/2018

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Pisces / Vissen / Poissons / Fische

February 20th - March 20th
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¢ 9,5 - 12 cm

element:           water
ruling planet:  neptune
colors:                sea green, silver
birthstone:       amethyst
houseplant:     peace lily
birthflowers:    water lily, lilac, lily, popp
Last but not least comes the Pisces, or should i say 'come' the Pisces. My apologies if i'm getting it wrong.
Yesterday we were talking about the age of Aquarius (remember). It's believed by most astrologists we're currently in the 'Age of Pisces'. The age started around 1 AD, not coincidentally around the birth of Jesus Christ. It's the age of religion, of faith, believe and sacrifice, and it should be coming to an end within the next 130 or so years.
Considering the current religious turmoil all over the planet: let's move to the next age sooner rather than later.
Anyway, back to the Pisces star sign. Pisces means 'fish', and the story goes, Aphrodite, goddess of love, and her son Eros turned themselves into Koi fish in order to escape Typhon, father of all monsters.

So now we've unveiled them all, it's about time to pinpoint you to this page that has all Flower Constellations in one neat overview. 
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Like what you see? Click on the button to pre-order now!
Pre-order Flower Constellations now!
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The new age

22/7/2018

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Flower Constellations | Easy arrangements inspired by the stars - Aquarius packaging
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Aquarius / Waterman / Verseau

​January 21st - February 19th
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¢ 9,5 - 12 cm

element:           air
ruling planet:  uranus, saturn
colors:                blue, silver
birthstone:       garnet
houseplant:     monstera deliciosa
birthflowers:    orchid, strelitzia, gladiolus
When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
Age of Aquarius
Aquarius
Aquarius

Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revelation
And the mind's true liberation
Aquarius

Aquarius
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source: Ebay
Don't recognize the song? It's from the musical 'Hair' (obviously) and you can watch a video here. (remember, this is old-time video, the lyrics start about two minutes in).
My parents being multicultural hippies who got married in 1969, this did not go past unnoticed in my upbringing. (neither did Bob Marley, who, accidentally was an Aquarius)


Apparently, the astronomical markers in the song are bogus, but the Age of Aquarius is dawning.
Or is it?
Some astrologers consider it started back around the time of the American Revolution, while others say we have to wait until 2600.  General consensus however, is that the Age of Aquarius starts in 2150. So still quite a while off.
​Since some people consider the age of Aquarius to be an age of enlightenment and equality i'm all for it coming around soon. Preferably in my lifetime.
The characteristics associated with people born in Aquarius are not completely similar to the utopian New Age persona: although progressiveness and humanitarianism are considered characteristics of people born in this month, Aquarius' can also be uncompromising, and come across as aloof or cold.

The sign is usually visualized as an overflowing amphora, representing waterbearer Ganymede, a beautiful youth that was snatched away by Zeus to come work on mount Olympus..
Since the Dutch translation of the Constellation is Waterman, which means (duh) water man, we went with Poseidon on the packaging: the ultimate man of water. 

Almost there! Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn and Aquarius down, only Pisces to go.
​See you Tomorrow!
Pre-order Flower Constellations now!
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Capricorn

21/7/2018

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Capricorn / Steenbok / Capricorne

December 22nd - January 20th
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¢ 9,5 - 12 cm

element:           earth
ruling planet:  saturn
colors:                grey, brown
birthstone:       ruby
houseplant:     snake plant
birthflowers:    pansy, ivy flower, african violet​​
Capricorn is the smallest and faintest constellation of the Zodiac, yet has one of the oldest mythical back stories. 
It was originally depicted as a sea-goat: half fish / half goat. Which is without a doubt the silliest combination of animals you could come up with (i mean, imagine the walking?! What would it eat?). That said: feel free to add even sillier combo's in the comments. Thinking about stuff like that is the best for people with vivid minds like me. 
​Anyway, in Dutch, the translation of Capricorn is mountain goat, so that's what we went with for the packaging,
Using the more 'natural' approach gave us the opportunity to use a snowy mountain in the collage. Not only because it's wintery (the sign 'kicks off' right after winter solstice), but also because it represents the 'view from above' people born under Capricorn supposedly have: resulting in great management skills as well as sometimes coming across as condescending. 
Remember: that's just what the astrologers say, don't blame the messenger. 

Check out packaging for the signs 
Aries,  Taurus,   Gemini,  Cancer,  Leo,  Virgo,  Libra,  Scorpio & Sagittarius - Tomorrow: Aquarius
Pre-order Flower Constellations now!
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Embarassed to ask your neighbour to water your plants?

20/7/2018

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This publication in Volkskrants' summer magazine V-Zomer brought something about: orders started pooring in in our webshop and we ran out of stock! 

Nothing to be worried about though: a batch of glassware is on its way to our studio as we speak, and we'll be restocked by the time we get back from our little break. 
Definitely worth to check out the text, love the cheeky happiness (in Dutch)
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The centaur with the bow: Sagittarius

20/7/2018

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Sagittarius / Boogschutter / Sagittaire

November 23rd - December 21st
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¢ 6,5 - 9 cm

element:           fire
ruling planet:  jupiter
colors:                purple, scarlet, blue
birthstone:       topaz
houseplant:     monstera deliciosa
birthflowers:    thistle, carnation, peony,  dandelion
Sagittarius: the archer.
The ancient Greeks modeled the sign after centaur Chiron, a master archer, and mentor of Achilles in the era of the Trojan Wars. 
You might know the kind: wise and etherial, one with nature, yet untamed and violent when provoked. Centaurs in books and movies pretty much always follow that character (Hello J.K. Rowling / I see you C.S. Lewis). They're also usually very skilled archers, yet can be set in their way and difficult to live with.

Would the supposed character traits be similar to those projected on the mythological centaur?
​
Well.. Not really.
​According to astrologers, people born under the constellation Sagittarius are considered philosophical freedom seekers who love to travel and learn new things, but can be rather impatient and undiplomatic. 
Maybe a bit like the Chinese archer depicted on the packaging: a skilled traveler, roaming free in a foreign land.
​Talking about roaming free.. For this Flower Constellation we decided to not use the full set of stars, but chose about half of them to make the constellation a perfect fit for the brass base.

Have you seen packaging for the signs 
Aries,  Taurus,   Gemini,  Cancer,  Leo,  Virgo,  Libra & Scorpio? - Tomorrow: Capricorn
Pre-order Flower Constellations now!
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The secretive scorpio

19/7/2018

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Scorpio/Schorpioen/Scorpion/Skorpion

October 24th - November 22nd
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¢ 9,5 - 12 cm

element:           water
ruling planet:  Pluto (used to be Mars)
colors:                red, black
birthstone:       aquamarine
houseplant:     pitcher plant
birthflowers:    heather, honeysuckle, desert rose, geranium​​
The Scorpio: secretive, passionate, elusive, associated with tarot card 'Death' and a pack of not so very sweet totem animals including snake, phoenix and vulture. All in all a sign that's hard to warm up to.
Even if it's your own.
Which in this case it is.
Luckily it's not all bad: We' are also supposedly resourceful and decisive, and will research until we find the truth. I'm guessing Pitbull might have been a good totem animal to add to the list.​'
The Mythological backstory of the constellation has to do with the Scorpion that killed Orion, either sent by Greek deity Artemis because she didn´t like Orion, or by her brother Apollo because she liked him a bit too much. 
Lovely. - You should definitely check out mythological stories by the way, I'm pretty sure all modern day soap opera's are based on them.

Check out Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo & Libra - Tomorrow: Sagittarius
Pre-order Flower Constellations now!
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Scales of Justice: Libra

18/7/2018

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Libra / Weegschaal / Balance / Waage

September 24th - October 23rd
¢ 6,5 - 9 cm

element:           air
ruling planet:  venus
colors:                pink, lightblue
birthstone:       peridot
houseplant:     tillandsia
birthflowers:    rose, bluebell, large daisy, hydrangea​
Ah, libra, litteraly the most balanced of all Zodiac Signs. It has to be, it's depicted as the scales of lady justice.
During this time of the year, night and day are in balance and so are the ​people born between September 24th and October 23rd. Supposedly.
Honestly, i don't know that many balanced libra.
But then again: i don't really know a lot of balanced people. Luckily. (boooring).

Anyway, this is one of the Flower Constellations i got to try out, and i love creating minimalistic set ups with the 4 holed brass tool. You don't need a lot of flowers for a wow-effect.

Tomorrow: the secretive Scorpio.
Check out Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo & Virgo
Pre-order Flower Constellations now!
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Mercury's maiden: Virgo

17/7/2018

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Virgo / Maagd / Vierge / Jungfrau

​August 23rd - September 23rd
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¢ 9,5 - 12 cm

element:           earth
ruling planet:  mercury
colors:                yellow, green, blue
birthstone:       carnelian
houseplant:     philodendron
birthflowers:    daisy, aster, chrysanthemum, buttercup
The Constellation Virgo has a lovely backstory: the star sign is named after the Ancient Greek mythological figure Astraea, the celestial virgin and goddess of innocence.
The daughter of Astreus, god of dusk, and Eos, goddes of dawn, was believed to be the last immortal to leave humankind and ascended into the sky to form the constellation Virgo. 
​Legend has it, Astraea will one day come back to the earth and bring with her a new utopian golden age.
Well.... Bring it on! Beyonce is apparently a Virgo, maybe she can pull some strings.
Virgo are supposedly kind and demure, and love bright small flowers like daisies and buttercups. 
Seems all very sweet and angelic so far, right? 
Well, the totem animal for this constellation is a bear. So this sweet maiden might come with claws.

We're halfway! Virgo is the 6th sign, and the last one of Spring/Summer.
Next up her sister with the scales Libra.

Check out the artwork for Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer and Leo.