Patent Publication Number: US-6902086-B1

Title: Method and apparatus for constructing decorative arrangements

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION 
   This application is related to provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/297,385 filed Jun. 11, 2001. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable. 
   REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
   Not applicable. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for constructing decorative arrangements and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for constructing a wide variety of decorative arrangements from a disc having perforations formed therein and a length of fabricating material. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Originally, bows and other decorative arrangements were made by hand. This time-consuming and tiring operation limits not only the quantity, but also the quality of the bows or other decorative arrangements. Skilled operators become more proficient with practice, but their ability to produce substantial quantities of such decorative arrangements is limited. The process of making bows by hand is difficult, if not impossible, for the unskilled operator to master with any degree of quality and quantity. 
   Various attempts have been made to assist bow makers. These have included devices comprising long nails protruding from a wooden board to crude devices, or patterns, made of metal with metal prongs. It is also known to make devices and forms that assist in creating bows from fabric or other fabricating material such as ribbons. These devices fall into two categories. The first category consists of large, complicated, expensive commercial machines such as that illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 4,449,652 to Coppins, the prices of which are out of reach of the average individual or small businesses such as florists. The second category consists of small and inexpensive devices and forms such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,229,870 to Capstick and U.S. Pat. No.4,651,908 to Ford. However, these latter devices suffer from the disadvantage that they limit the creativity and applications of the user because they generally make only one (or a few) size(s) and type(s) of bows or other decorative arrangements. Furthermore, the bows or decorative arrangements made with these devices and methods require wire, glue, or other means to maintain their shape and configuration. No known prior art apparatus for making bows or other decorative arrangements is adjustable such that the bows or other decorative arrangements may be constructed in a variety of shapes and sizes. Furthermore, so far as known, no prior device that allows the bow or other decorative arrangement to be made using materials of various widths is available. Finally, prior devices typically limit the size of each individual loop of the bow or other decorative arrangement. As a result, the variety of designs which may be constructed using such devices is limited. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method of making decorative arrangements which avoids many of the shortcomings of such prior devices. By using the disclosed apparatus, the size of the decorative arrangement may be adjusted incrementally. The number of loops in a decorative arrangement is determined by the user, and can vary from two up to thirty, forty or even more if the user so desires. Neither the width of the material from which the decorative arrangements are made nor the length of the loops is predetermined for the user. The user can also select from narrow to very wide material and the material is pre-cut only after the user determines the number of loops and the size (or diameter) of the desired decorative arrangement. 
   The present invention is also relatively inexpensive and affordable to make and sell such that hobbyists can afford to purchase them and florists and other business people who use decorative arrangements in their products can afford to purchase more than one. Furthermore, since the present invention does not require wire, glue, or other means for maintaining the shape or configuration of the decorative arrangement, there is no center gathering of bow-fabricating material. Thus, the decorative arrangement can be made with an open center that allows the arrangement to be readily placed over or onto objects to be decorated such as Christmas trees, door knobs, candles, flower arrangements and the like. 
   Accordingly, in one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for constructing decorative arrangements which includes a disc member having at least two perforations formed therein and a tool for inserting fabricating material into the perforations formed in the disc member to form at least one loop of the fabricating material. In one aspect, a plurality of perforations arranged in a pattern are formed in the disc member. In another, the tool may include an end for forcibly inserting portions of the fabricating material through selected ones of the plurality of perforations and an intermediate section having a series of markings used for measuring lengths of the fabricating material and the loops formed thereby after the end of the tool has forcibly inserted the portions of the fabricating material through selected ones of the plurality of perforations. In still another, the apparatus may further include a pattern for identifying the order in which the plurality of perforations are selected for insertion of respective lengths of the fabricating material therethrough. 
   In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of constructing a decorative arrangement. In accordance with this method, a disc member having formed therein, a plurality of perforations arranged in a pattern is provided. An end of a length of a strip of fabricating material is then inserted into a first one of the plurality of perforations. A length of the strip of fabricating material is measured out and an intermediate section of the strip of material located at the end of the measured length is then inserted into a next one of the plurality of perforations to form a loop. Additional loops are then formed by repeatedly measuring out additional lengths of the strip of fabricating material and inserting intermediate sections of the strip of fabricating material located at the ends of the measured lengths into additional ones of the plurality of perforations. This process continues until construction of the decorative arrangement is completed. In one aspect thereof, a tool having an end and an intermediate section having a series of markings thereon is provided. The end of the tool is used for forcibly inserting the strip of fabricating material through the plurality of perforations. In another, the first loop is formed by using the series of markings to measure the distance separating the perforation in which the end of the strip of fabricating material was inserted and the intermediate section of the strip of fabricating material. In still another, the first loop is formed by twisting the strip of material at the end of the measured length, positioning the twisted intermediate section of the strip of fabricating material over the next one of the plurality of perforations and inserting the intermediate section of the strip of fabricating material into the next one of the plurality of perforations. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  is a top view of a patterned retaining disc for making decorative arrangements. 
       FIG. 1B  is a side view of the patterned retaining disc of FIG.  1 A. 
       FIG. 1C  is a top view of a strip of fabricating material, suitable for use with the patterned retaining disc of  FIGS. 1A-1B , when making decorative arrangements. 
       FIG. 1D  is a side view of a tool, suitable for with the patterned retaining disc of  FIGS. 1A-1B  and the strip of fabricating material of  FIG. 1C , when making decorative arrangements. 
       FIG. 1E  is a schematic view of a pattern to follow when making decorative arrangements using the patterned retaining disc of  FIGS. 1A-1B , the strip of fabricating material FIG.  1 C and the tool of FIG.  1 D. 
       FIG. 2A  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the patterned retaining disc of  FIGS. 1A-B . 
       FIG. 2B  is a side view of the patterned retaining disc of FIG.  2 A. 
       FIG. 3A  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the patterned retaining disc of  FIGS. 2A-B . 
       FIG. 3B  is a side view of the patterned retaining disc of FIG.  3 A. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the tool of FIG.  1 D. 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of a base stand suitable for use with the patterned retaining disc of FIGS.  3 A-B. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring first to  FIGS. 1A-B , a patterned retaining disc  10  constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and suitable for use in making decorative arrangements may now be seen. As will be more fully described below, the patterned retaining disc  10  provides both a pattern for fabricating a decorative arrangement and a means for retaining the cloth, ribbon, or other fabricating material that is being used, in conjunction with the patterned retaining disc  10 , to construct a bow or other decorative arrangement. The patterned retaining disc  10  includes generally circular upper and lower side surfaces  10   a  and  10   b  which are separated by a relatively thin circular sidewall  14 . The patterned retaining disc  10  is formed using a resiliently deformable material, for example, polyethylene, or a similar material. While it is fully contemplated that the patterned retaining disc  10  may be variously dimensioned, forming the patterned retaining disc  10  to have a diameter of about 2¾ inches or about 3½ inches are particularly well suited for the uses contemplated herein since the aforementioned sizes enable a user to easily grasp the patterned retaining disc  10  in the palm of their hand. It is further contemplated that the patterned retaining disc  10  should he sufficiently thin to be readily flexed when held by the user. 
   As may be further seen in  FIG. 1A , a plurality of perforations  18 , each of which extend from the upper side surface  10   a  to the lower side surface  10   b , are formed in the patterned retaining disc  10  so that fabricating material (not shown in  FIGS. 1A-B ) inserted therethrough may be held thereby. As illustrated herein, the perforations  18  formed in the patterned retaining disc  10  are formed in an “X” or “cross” shape to facilitate insertion of the fabricating material into the perforations  18  in the manner described below. Of course, it should be clearly understood that the perforations  18  may have different configurations. For example, a “Y” shape, will be equally suitable for the uses contemplated herein. Generally, however, the perforations  18  should be shaped such that, in response to a force exerted thereon, the perforations  18  will deform to allow the passage of material therethrough and, upon removal of the force, the perforations will return to their original shape, thereby securing the material inserted therethrough to the patterned retaining disc  10 . 
   It is further contemplated that the perforations  18  formed in the patterned retaining disc  10  be arranged in a pattern. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1A , four perforations  18  are formed along horizontal axis A, four perforations  18  are formed along vertical axis B, six perforations are formed along diagonal axis C, six perforations are formed along diagonal axis D and two perforations  18  are formed along each of additional axes located intermediate to the axes A, B, C and D. As may be further seen in  FIG. 1A , along each of the axes A, B, C and D, as well as the axes intermediate thereto, the perforations  18  formed therealong are spaced an equal distance apart from one another. Of course, the illustrated pattern of perforations  18  formed in the patterned retaining disc  10  is but one of many suitable patterns of perforations which may be formed therein. 
   As may be further seen in FIG  1 A, the patterned retaining disc  10  is further provided with an enlarged perforation  26 , again formed in an “X” or “cross” shape, that is located at or near the center of the patterned retaining disc  10 , preferably at the intersection of the axes A, B, C and D. It is contemplated that the enlarged perforation  26  may be used, if desired, to receive items other than the fabricating material received by the perforations  18 , thereby enabling the decorative arrangement constructed using the patterned retaining disc apparatus  10  to be used, for example, as the decorative base of a candlestick, or a Christmas tree decoration. For example, when the patterned retaining disc  10  is used as the decorative base of a candlestick, a base portion of the candle would be inserted into the enlarged perforation  26 . Similarly, when the patterned retaining disc  10  is used as a Christmas tree decoration, a branch of the Christmas tree would be inserted into the enlarged perforation  26 . It is fully contemplated, however, that the enlarged perforation  26  need not be located in the general center of the patterned retaining disc  10 . For example, for certain types of decorations and/or bows, it may be desirable to locate the enlarged perforation  26  elsewhere along the patterned retaining disc  10 . Similarly, as many decorative arrangements do not even need an enlarged perforation  26  in the general center of or elsewhere along the patterned retaining disc  10 , it is further contemplated that, in one embodiment of the invention, the enlarged perforation  26  may be omitted altogether. 
   It is contemplated that the material from which the patterned retaining disc  10  is fabricated should be sufficiently flexible such that the edges of the perforations  18  will affirmatively grip and hold the material inserted therein. Thus, as previously set forth, one material suitable for the uses contemplated herein is a polyethylene plastic. However, it should be clearly understood that the patterned retaining disc  10  may be constructed from any suitable material which is sufficiently flexible such that material inserted in the perforations  18  will be affirmatively gripped and held thereby. Similarly, while the patterned retaining disc  10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-B  as having a generally circular shape, it should be clearly understood that the patterned retaining disc  10  may assume a wide variety of other geometric configurations. 
   Referring next to  FIG. 1C , a strip of fabricating material  22  used, together with the patterned retaining disc  10  to construct a decorative arrangement may now be seen. Generally, a wide variety of fabricating materials are suitable for use when constructing a decorative arrangement. For example, any one of a number of commercially available ribbons is suitable for use as the fabricating material. It is further contemplated that the width and/or length of the ribbon or other fabricating material used to construct a decorative arrangement may be varied depending on certain characteristics of the decorative arrangement to be constructed therewith. Table 1, below, lists various widths and lengths of ribbon which may be used to construct bows of various sizes. Table I, below, further lists the loop lengths for the ribbons which are selected during construction of these bows. 
   
     
       
         
             
             
             
             
             
           
             
                 
               TABLE I 
             
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
                 
               Yards of Ribbon 
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               Ribbon Width 
               Required 
               Loop Length 
               Bow Size 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
          
             
                 
               1.0″ 
               4.0-5.0 
               4-5″ 
               4-5″ 
             
             
                 
               1.5″ 
               4.5-5.0 
               5-6″ 
               5-6″ 
             
             
                 
               2.0″ 
               5.0-5.5 
               6-7″ 
               6-7″ 
             
             
                 
               2.5″ 
               6.0-7.0 
               8-9″ 
               8-9″ 
             
             
                 
               3.0″ 
               7.0-7.5 
                9-10″ 
                9-10″ 
             
             
                 
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   Referring next to  FIG. 1D , a tool  40  used in combination with the patterned retaining disc  10  and the strip of fabricating material  22 , to construct a decorative arrangement will now be described in greater detail. As may now be seen, the tool  40  is comprised of a lower section  42 , an elongated middle section  44  and an upper section  46 . The lower section  42  is shaped to facilitate the insertion of the strip of fabricating material  22  through the perforations  18 . More specifically, the lower section  42  has a toothed surface  48  formed thereon which frictionally engages the strip of fabricating material  22  as it is being pushed through a selected one of the perforations  18 . Because the tool  40  is used to forcibly insert the strip of fabricating material through selected perforations  18 , it is preferably formed of a rigid plastic material. Of course, it is fully contemplated that the tool may be formed using other suitable materials. For example, by forming the tool  40  from a slightly flexible material, it is contemplated that the gripping of the tool  40  by the user constructing the decorative arrangement may be facilitated. As may be further seen in  FIG. 1D , the middle section  44  of the tool  40  has a series of markings  48  representing the distance, in inches, from the respective markings  48  to a lowermost edge surface  32  of the tool  40 . As will be more fully described below, the markings  48  are provided to enable the user to easily and accurately measure lengths of the strip of fabricating material  22  when constructing the decorative arrangement. 
   Referring next to  FIG. 1E , the construction of a decorative arrangement using the patterned retaining disc  10  the strip of fabricating material  22  and the tool  40  will now be described in greater detail. First, the shape, size and number of loops of a desired decorative arrangement are determined and an appropriate length of the strip of fabricating material  22  is selected. A patterned retaining disc  10  having the desired size, shape and pattern is then selected. The user secures the selected patterned retaining disc  10  in place, for example, by holding the patterned retaining disc  10  in their hand, with the front side surface  10   a  facing up. An end of the strip of fabricating material  22  is twisted twice and then inserted, from the front side surface  10   a  thereof, approximately ¼ inches into perforation number  1  using the toothed surface  48  of the lower section  42  of the tool  40 . Placing the lowermost edge surface  32  of the tool  40  against the perforation  1 , a length of the fabricating material  22  corresponding to the size of the desired loop is measured using the markings  48  formed on the middle section  44  of the tool  40 . Once the desired length of the strip of fabricating material  22  has been measured, the strip of fabricating material  22  is twisted twice at this point. The process is then repeated, this time, inserting the twisted strip of fabricating material  22  approximately ¼ inches into perforation number  2 , thereby forming a first loop from the strip of fabricating material  22 . Working in a clockwise fashion (or the reverse, if the user is left-handed), the aforementioned steps are repeated until twisted segments of the strip of fabricating material  22  have been inserted into each one of perforations  3 - 20 , thereby forming a series of loops spaced around the front side surface  10   a  of the patterned retaining disc  10 . The final loop of the series of loops is then completed by inserting a second end of the strip of fabricating material  22  into perforation  13 . 
   Having covered the front side surface  10   a  of the patterned retaining disc  10  with a series of loops of the fabricating material  22 , the perforations  21  through  28  are then used to cover the back side surface  10   b  thereof, again with a series of loops. The user first cuts eight strips of the fabricating material  22 , each, for example, four inches long. The user re-secures the patterned retaining disc  10  in their hand, again with the front side surface  10   a  facing up. Using the tool  40 , a first end of each strip of the fabricating material  22  is inserted, from the front side  10   a  thereof, into perforations  21  through  28 , respectively. The other end of each strip of material is then inserted into the enlarged perforation  26  on the back side surface  10   b , thereby completing construction of the desired decorative arrangement, apart, of course, from some final trimming steps used to further enhance the appearance of the decorative arrangement. Of course, the appearance of the constructed decorative arrangement may be still further enhanced by adding additional material using a variety of techniques. For example, one or more tails of a desired length may be added to the decorative arrangement by removing the end of one of the strips of the fabricating material  22  inserted into the enlarged perforation  26 , inserting the center of each tail being added through the enlarged perforation  26  and then re-inserting the removed end back through the enlarged perforation  26 . Finally, to attach the constructed decorative arrangement onto an item, for example, a wrapped package, two inches of a first end of a ribbon should be inserted through the enlarged perforation  26 . The ribbon should then be wrapped around the length of the item and the other end inserted through the enlarged perforation  26 . The ribbon should then be secured by tying together the two ends thereof which were inserted through the enlarged perforation  26 . 
   Referring next to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , an alternate embodiment of the patterned retaining disc  10  hereafter referred to as patterned retaining disc apparatus  10 ′, may now be seen. As before, the patterned retaining apparatus  10 ′ provides a pattern for fabricating a decorative arrangement and a means for retaining the cloth, ribbon, or other material that is being used to fabricate a decorative arrangement or bow in accordance with the method of the present invention described herein. The patterned retaining disc apparatus  10 ′ is comprised of a patterned retaining disc  11 ′ similar to the patterned retaining disc  10  described and illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-B  and a dish  12 ′ integrally formed with and/or securedly attached to the patterned retaining disc  11 ′. 
   The patterned retaining disc  11 ′ is provided with a plurality of perforations  18 ′ for retaining the material (not shown in  FIGS. 2A-B ) from which the decorative arrangement is constructed. The dish  12 ′ integrally formed with and/or securedly attached to the patterned retaining disc  11 ′ is comprised of a continuous curvilinear sidewall  30 ′ extending upwardly from a generally flat, thickened, or rolled edge, bottom  16 ′ to define an interior  22 ′ (located immediately below the patterned retaining disc  11 ′) for receiving material inserted through the perforations  18 ′. Preferably, both the patterned retaining disc  11 ′ and the dish  12 ′ of the patterned retaining disc apparatus  10 ′ are constructed of a relatively inexpensive material, for example, a polyethylene plastic, that is inexpensive to mold or otherwise manufacture and is amenable to being manufactured in large quantity. Another material suitable for use as the patterned retaining disc apparatus  10 ′ is cardboard that is folded into the illustrated shape of the patterned retaining disc apparatus  10 ′. 
   In the embodiment of the invention illustrated herein, the perforations  18 ′ formed in the patterned retaining disc  11 ′ are again formed in an “X” or “cross” shape to facilitate insertion of the fabricating material  22  into the perforations  18 ′. Of course, it should again be clearly understood that the perforations  18 ′ formed in the patterned retaining disc  11 ′ may have different configurations, for example, a “Y” shape and/or the number of perforations  18 ′ formed in the patterned retaining disc  11 ′, and/or the arrangement of the perforations  18 ′ on the patterned retaining disc  11 ′ may be readily varied without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
   As may be further seen in  FIG. 2A , the patterned retaining disc  11 ′ is further provided with an enlarged slotted perforation  26 ′, again formed in an “X” or “cross” shape, located at or near the center of the patterned retaining disc  11 ′. It is again contemplated that the enlarged perforation  26 ′ may be used, if desired, to receive items other than the fabricating material received by the perforations  18 ′, thereby once again enabling the decorative arrangement constructed using the patterned retaining disc apparatus  10 ′ to be used, for example, as the decorative base of a candlestick, or a Christmas tree decoration. 
   It is contemplated that the material from which the patterned retaining disc apparatus  10 ′ is fabricated is preferably sufficiently flexible such that the edges of the perforations  8 ′ will affirmatively grip and hold the fabricating material  22  inserted therein. Thus, as previously set forth, one material suitable for the uses contemplated herein is a polyethylene plastic. However, it should be clearly understood that the patterned retaining disc apparatus  10 ′ may be constructed from any suitable material which is sufficiently flexible such that fabricating material  22  inserted in the perforations  18 ′ will be affirmatively gripped and held thereby. Similarly, while the patterned retaining disc apparatus  10 ′ is illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-B  as having a generally cylindrical shape and the patterned retaining disc  11 ′ thereof is illustrated as having a generally circular shape, it should be clearly understood that the diameter of the patterned retaining disc  11 ′ may be varied and/or the patterned retaining disc apparatus  10 ′ may assume other geometric configurations, including configurations that are not bilaterally symmetrical. For example, it is fully contemplated that, rather than the smooth curve best shown in  FIG. 2A , the sidewall  30 ′ of the patterned retaining disc apparatus  10 ′ may have any one of a wide variety of other shapes. 
   Referring next to  FIGS. 3A-B , still another alternate embodiment of the patterned retaining disc  10 , hereafter referred to as patterned retaining disc apparatus  10 ″, will now be described in greater detail. Similar to the patterned retaining disc apparatus  10 ′, the patterned disc apparatus  10 ″ is comprised of a patterned retaining disc  11 ″ and a dish  12 ″ sized to receive the patterned retaining disc  11 ″ in an open side thereof. The dish  12 ″ is comprised of a continuous curvilinear sidewall  30 ″ extending upwardly from a generally flat, thickened, or rolled edge, bottom  16 ″ to define an interior  22 ″ (located immediately below the patterned retaining disc  11 ″) for receiving material inserted through the perforations  18 ″. Preferably, the patterned retaining disc  11 ″ and the dish  12 ″ are both formed using a flexible material such that the patterned retaining disc  11 ″ may be affirmatively retained within the open side of the dish  12 ″ by frictional engagement of the sidewall  30 ″ of the dish  12 ″ by an edge  14 ″ of the patterned retaining disc  11 ″ and the elastic deformation of the sidewall  30 ″ by beads  20 ″, representing thickened portions of the material comprising the patterned retaining disc  11 ″, spaced radially around the circumference of the edge  14 ″ for engaging the similarly spaced detents, or dimples,  24 ″ formed in the sidewall  30 ″ of the dish  12 ″ to retain the patterned retaining disc  11 ″ in the open side of the dish  12 ″. Similar to the patterned retaining disc  11 ′, a plurality of perforations are formed in the patterned retaining disc  11 ″ in an “X” or “cross” shape to facilitate insertion of the fabricating material  22  into the perforations  18 ″ in the manner described herein. The patterned retaining disc  11 ″ is further provided with an enlarged slotted perforation  26 ″, again formed in an “X” or “cross” shape, located at or near the center of the patterned retaining disc  11 . 
   Referring next to  FIG. 4 , an alternate embodiment of the tool  40  hereafter referred to as tool  40 ′, will now be described in greater detail. The tool  40 ′ is comprised of a lower section  42 ′, an elongated middle section  44 ′ and a flanged upper section  46 ′. In this embodiment, the lower section  42 ′ includes two blunt prongs  32 ′ with a generally V-shaped notch  34 ′ located therebetween. It is contemplated that the notch  34 ′ may be used to trap the strip of fabricating material  22  from which the decorative arrangement is to be constructed, thereby facilitating the insertion of the strip of fabricating material  22  into the perforations  18  of the patterned retaining disc apparatus  10 . The flanged upper section  46 ′ is configured to facilitate gripping of the tool  40 ′ during fabrication of the decorative arrangement, specifically, when inserting the strip of fabricating material  22  through the perforations  18  of the patterned retaining disc  10 . Although not shown in  FIG. 4 , the tool  40 ′ may also be provided with a plurality of small serrations or other surface structure that provides a roughened surface near the upper section  46 ′, again, to facilitate gripping of the tool  40 ′. Similarly, the surface of the tool  40 ′ near the upper section  46 ′ may be overcoated with a material having a high coefficient of friction for this same purpose. The elongated middle section  44 ′ of the tool  40 ′ has a generally cylindrical, or rod-shaped, configuration and is provided with spaced markings  48  for measuring the length of each loop set at intervals beginning at the lower section  42 ′ and extending towards the flanged upper end  46 ′. 
   Referring next to  FIG. 5 , in still another embodiment of the invention, the decorative disc apparatus may include a base stand  50  having a generally flat upper side surface, an elongated well  56  for holding the tool  40  or  40 ′ and a receptacle  58  for receiving the dish  12 ″. Preferably, the base stand  50  is configured in a generally square shape and is molded from a resilient polymer in unitary fashion. The receptacle  58  for receiving the dish  12 ″ is actually a depression, or well, formed in the top surface  52  of the stand  50  and is preferably comprised of a series of successively deeper wells, as represented by the concentric circles  54 ′ through  54 ″″. Each concentric circle  54 ′ through  54 ″″ defines a diameter that receives the bottom  16 ″ of a dish  12 ″ (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) of like diameter, affirmatively retaining the dish  12 ″ therein, to facilitate fabrication of a decorative arrangement when a like-sized patterned retaining disc  11 ″ is snapped into the open side of the dish  12 ″. If desired, the base stand  50  may be further provided with other integrally molded receptacles and supports (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) to receive and store spools of bow fabricating materials, scissors, and other supplies needed for constructing decorative arrangements in accordance with the methods described herein. Of course, a table or other support surface may be used to support the dish  12 ″ having the patterned retaining disc  11 ″ retained therein. 
   While, as disclosed herein, the strip of fabricating material  22  used to construct a decorative arrangement is a ribbon, it should be clearly understood that a wide variety of materials other than ribbon or other fabrics may be used to construct decorative arrangements in accordance with the techniques disclosed herein. It should be further understood that other materials, for example, streamers, flowers, or greenery may be included in the decorative arrangement being constructed by inserting such materials into selected ones of the perforations  18  formed in the patterned retaining disc  10 . 
   Thus, there has been described and illustrated herein, a method and apparatus for constructing decorative arrangements using a patterned retaining disc, a strip of material and a tool for inserting the strip of material into selected perforations formed in the patterned retaining disc. Flowever, those skilled in the art should recognize that numerous modifications and variations may be made in the techniques disclosed herein without departing substantially from the spirit and of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should only be ended hereto.