I started with a container lined with sheet moss and packed with dry floral foam.
I covered the floral foam with sheet moss cut to fit the top.
For my arrangement, I used curly willow branches, a few faux fern stems, preserved leafy branches (available at craft stores) and some cotton stems that I brought back from a recent trip to North Carolina.
Start by inserting any tall stems into the foam right through the sheet moss establishing your shape and structure (known as the thriller).
Add a few fern stems to fill in around the base (known as the spiller).
Start adding your leafy element (known as the filler). Be gentle, these stems are brittle.
Finally, add berries or pods - dried lotus pods, okra or thistle would be great. Nature offers so many bold shapes and textures. I used cotton and then filled a bowl with my extra cotton pods. Enjoy!