Just like Richard Dean Anderson- the Original McGyver, my adventures have taken me to many places and instances where thinking on your feet and making snap decisions are essential to getting out of trouble.
I was invited by the Floral Art Society of New Zealand to create two “wearable art” designs for the FloravisioNZ performing arts presentation in Hamilton New Zealand . Preparations for both designs went underway without any hitch (yeah right! Nothing goes smoothly when it comes to big shows). My team- Gail Anderson, David Daniels and myself arrived at the theatre at 6:30pm, our 
segment was scheduled at 8:45pm. Thinking we had plenty of time to sit down, relax and watch the first half of the show when we realised that one of our models forgot to bring her costume! BIG PANIC!!!!
Our model was to wear a large headgear in a shape of a Mohawk made of sisal being a Maori warrior princess. Did I mention Sisal? Well, our princess was wrapped in a sisal bikini! The problem arose when we can’t figure how to tie the ends as they kept on falling off. I then realised I’ve got cable ties in my pocket from 
the earlier “trends and techniques” show. A couple of zips here and there and whooala! Problem solved and gee did the sisal costume look excellent with the head gear design.
Cable ties can be used not just as mechanics to floral design but can also be decorative. Tie tails can be
snipped off for a neat finish or utilised as an added feature by threading berries or florets on its tip. Various sizes and vibrant colours of ties are available from your electrical and hardware stores but if you wish to have a more delicate colour scheme; Use floral paint spray (not enamel) to airbrush and coat white cable ties. Create patterns with touches of different colour sprays; the versatility of cable ties is only limited by your own imagination.Cable Ties! – An essential sundry item in every designer’s tool box.
Article written by Richard Go
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