You will need:
Clay flower pots (3-inch diameter)
Gold spray paint
Fresh or dried artichokes, or underripe pears (1 per place card holder)
Clear satin finish spray sealer
Raffia
Dry floral foam or Styrofoam blocks
Utility knife
Glue gun
Glue stick
Sheet moss
Thin wooden stakes (if using pears)
Cream-coloured heavy-weight paper
Gold metalic paint pen
PAINT flower pots with gold spray paint in a well-ventilated area. Lightly spray artichokes or pears; let dry completely.
SPRAY pots and artichokes with spray sealer in a well ventilated area; let dry completely.
TIE raffia into a bow around the top of each pot; secure with glue, if necessary.
CUT floral foam to securely fit into bottom of each pot; secure with glue. Using knife, cut small hole in centre of foam for placement of artichoke stem.
GLUE layer of moss over foam to cover.
CUT artichoke stems to desired height. Place glue on bottom portion of each stem; press firmly into hole in centre of foam to secure.
FOR pear place cards, insert wooden stake into bottom of each pear, allowing 2 inches to extend from bottom. Place glue onto exposed end of stake; insert into centre of foam.
CUT 2-inch rectangles or leaf shapes from paper. Write guests' names on shapes, insert one into each artichoke or pin one onto top of each pear.
NOTE: If using fresh artichokes, prepare within 24 hours of party.