The cool luxurious feel of certain fabrics against your skin is something that cannot be replicated. It is very soft and smooth and simply caresses your skin.

Silk has long been a staple and exotic fabric and a symbol of pure luxury.

For thousands of years only the elite were able to afford this rare commodity. It may have been harvested by simple farmers but it wasn’t worn by them and it had a tremendous impact on the trading world.

As precious as gold and spices were, the demand for silk was even more. This creation of nature is still sought after today. Yes, the availability has increased and more people are able to wear it but pure silk is something that is still a valuable commodity.

This article will let you know about silk’s unique history and how it helped shape the world of fashion today. You may just find out something that you did not know.

When was silk first discovered?

Silks were discovered between 6000 and 3000 BC by the Chinese. The empress Xi Ling-Shi was the first to develop the silks into fabrics. But the rarity of silks meant that only the royalty had access to this precious fabric. Gradually through gifts and trade the silks made their way to various other parts of Asia.

From Asia it was a simple matter of traders taking the silk fabric with them throughout the rest of the known world. For many centuries the Emperors of China hoarded the secret of cultivating the silkmoths in captivity. There is countless recordings or digs in which silks were discovered from around the world.

What types of clothing can be made from silk?

Any type of clothing can be made from silks. The key is not using just one strand though. Spinners have to combine several strands of silk in order to make a tough enough fiber to withstand the weaving process. Fabrics that are made from very thin silks can easily tear or rip apart.

But to answer the question, you can find silken fabrics to make anything from. If you want a pair of socks…there are certainly manufacturers out there that can provide you with them.

It is more common to find silks being woven into typical clothing items such as dresses, pants or shirts. The smooth quality of the fabric combined with its luster gives it a great appeal to virtually everyone.

Who was the first person to mass produce silk?

There really is not one single person who is written down in history as the first to mass produce silks. History does credit the Chinese for holding the majority of the market even up to this day.

True mass production of silks did not come until the Industrial Revolution. Thanks to new weaving methods and machinery, more silken fabric could be produced. The Jacquard loom helped make silk embroidery easier and less expensive.

How does silk come in so many colors?

Silks are just like any other fibre that is woven. It can be dyed to any color that the manufacturer wants. There is a process though. First the fabric must be bleached to remove the natural yellow tint that comes from the raw silks. After it has been bleached out, dyes can be added in to reach the desired shade for the finished product.

Quality silks will be dyed in a way so that you do not have to worry about bleeding or color run-off. In the past when the dying process was done by hand, the colors were fairly limited with what could be dyed naturally. With today’s chemicals and varying shades of hues, a silken fabric can be transformed into a multitude of colors.

By: Michael Selvon

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Mike Selvon portal offers free articles on silk. Find out more about silk, and leave a comment at the discount silk blog.

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They look just the same as fresh cut flowers now and last much longer.

Gone are the days of having to remember to water and prune them and clearing up the mess when they wilt and die!

>> Find Silk Flowers  Click here

Flowers and plants are wonderful ways to add ambience throughout your home or office.

Live flowers and plants can be a burden for a busy homeowner or office manager however, as they must receive the proper care in order to make the surroundings beautiful.

A plant can die for any number of reasons, and a wilting plant or set of flowers will look tacky to visitors. Additionally, plants that are cared for will grow, and you will find yourself pruning and repotting your decorations a couple of times a year. Add to that the potential mess of fallen leaves and scattered dirt, and you will see why houseplants can be quite a chore even if you are gifted with a green thumb.

Fortunately, there are alternatives to real plants if you want to add that extra splash of color to your home.

Artificial potted plants and silk flowers are a perfect low maintenance addition to the home or office in terms of decor. And you can buy them online

Find Silk Flowers  Click here for a beautiful selection

You can choose your favourite quality red silk flower arrangement or maybe some beautiful orchid silk flowers which are otherwise so difficult to maintain and expensive to keep on buying and replacing

Artificial plants can be purchased almost anywhere, as they do not require special care or storage from the retailer. Artificial plants can sit on shelves for long periods of time in stores, just as they can in your home. Artificial house plants and artificial trees are manufactured in all the varieties found in real plants, and can be tailored to fit your space needs. You choose the artificial plant variety, the pot, and then walk your new decor item out the door. The only maintenance you will need to do is dusting!

Silk flowers are an even more abundant option than artificial plants. Silk flowers can be bought in arrangements or separately, in a variety of species replicas and sizes. There is no need to keep silk flowers in a vase- if you want to have tiny individual daisies along the edges of your bathroom, you can accomplish the task with silk flowers!

In addition to their low maintenance appeal, artificial plants and silk flowers do not produce any pollen or sap, so they are not a risk for any person who might be afflicted with allergies. Artificial plants and silk flowers are a perfect housewarming or office decoration.

Copyright2006 www.allsikflowersandplants.com. Visit for more great articles on silk flowers and artificial trees, additional resources and trade news.

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Silk flowers are made from different types of material, which make them look very real. Many people in the past have opted for artificial plants and flowers for a number of different reasons. Some were to avoid the hassle of taking care of the real things, some because of the allergy sufferers, while some because they want the arrangement of flowers to last.

Years ago, florist would promote the silk flower arrangements for the bridal bouquet as a keepsake. The silk flower arrangement was also more expensive than real flowers. To have your wedding done in all silk arrangements would have cost you a lot more than having it done in real flowers, but times have changed since then.

Today, silk flowers look more like real flowers than they did back then, and the price of the silk flowers for your wedding will typically be cheaper than with real flowers.

Find affordable and exquisite Silk Flowers Click here

More and more weddings are selecting silk flowers today, but this may be because of the allergy sufferers or maybe it’s a budget issue.

Silk flowers do have their advantages. They have a life-like appearance, and they will never wilt or die – regardless of how much you neglect them. Silk flowers are beautiful for ever and they can be kept as keepsakes and passed on to others in the family for their weddings. If you wish, you can even re-use some of the flowers in your home decor, with a few minor design adjustments.

Because time is not an issue with the silk flowers they can be made well in advance of the wedding for pre-wedding photos, or to check the whole order before the big day. There will be no surprises on the special day, which is probably every bride-to-be’s fear. There is a wide variety of flowers, so you don’t have to worry they one have the type of flower you want for your wedding.

Find affordable and exquisite Silk Flowers Click here

Silk flower and plant arrangements can also be made for the home. For those who are not sporting a green thumb or have allergies, but still want the beauty of plants and flowers around their home, silk arrangements are perfect for these people.

No matter what the type of plant or flower you are looking for, you will be able to find it in a silk variety. They won’t need any maintenance or care and they will last you a lifetime.

Author: Ken Bolt

About: Brant Florist has been owned and operated by The Bolt family since 1977. Doyle, Tim, Elaine and Ken Bolt treat every customer the way they would like to be treated. Staff are well trained, have years of experience and are always professional. The shop has been processing internet orders since 1996 with a computerized network to manage and record all orders. The shop was originally established in 1961 by Mr. and Mrs. Jones. That is over 45 years of successfully serving customers like you.

You can order your flowers online for world-wide delivery by visiting Brant Florists 24hr website at http://www.BrantFlorist.com or learn more about flowers and other interesting floral facts at their specialty blog http://TheFlorister.com today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Bolt

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Silk flowers are beautifully colored, authentic-looking floral imitations that come in a wide array of flower varieties.

There are a host of silk flowers available that imitate and in many cases look better than the real thing. And the most fascinating characteristic of these silk flowers is that they are durable and long lasting.

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Today, many floral designers and craftspeople are using silk flowers to create durable, long-lasting, and beautiful floral decorations and arrangements.

Silk is a natural protein fibre that is obtained from the cocoon of the silkworm larva. The shinning appearance for which it is prized comes from the fibre’s triangular prism-like structure, which allows silk cloth to refract incoming light at different angles. Silk is delicate as well as very durable and, more importantly, extremely long lasting. In comparison to fresh and dried flowers, silk flowers can be used over and over again and still maintain their beauty, vitality, and hue. Though direct sunlight can sometimes make silk flowers fade, most can tolerate extreme heat and cold.

Silk flowers can be used anywhere, anytime, and for any occasion. If you would like to keep your house perennially decorated with flowers and not make regular payments to the florist, silk flowers are your answer. Silk flowers can be used for floral arrangements for weddings, dinner tables, and the like.

There are plenty of online vendors who deal in silk flower arrangements, and they have arrangements for every occasion. You can also customize your order, right to the last petal. Also, if you are a floral enthusiast, start decorating with silk flowers – they are easy to work with and require very little care, unlike their fresh counterparts. Also, they look brilliant and fascinatingly real.

Find Quality Silk Flowers Click here

Article author: Peter Emerson

Silk Flowers provides detailed information on Silk Flowers, Silk Flower Arrangements, Silk Wedding Flowers, Wholesale Silk Flowers and more. Silk Flowers is affiliated with Flower Bulbs for Sale.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Emerson

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