Relaunching the Humble Poinsettia

Due to the recent resurge in popularity for Dianthus in the last 2 years, there has been quite a lot of noise made about the humble Poinsettia 0r Euphorbia pulcherrima before Christmas this year. To tie in with current trends and contemporary technique modules at college we were asked to design our own 'shop window' display to demonstrate the relaunch of the Poinsettia. Heres some of the designs I came up with. My team members made parcels out of pine and planted up Poinsettias and used stems clustered in Advent designs.

This was also a personal experiment to understanding the plant and its suitability. Note to self : Poinsettias DO NOT take kindly to being shoved in oasis and sealing the end of the stems with a lighter doesnt seem to stop the poor plant from bleeding sticky sap everywhere. HOWEVER, stems cut from the plant thrive in water and are long lasting. I cant say that these handkerchief shaped plants are at the top of my list but they certainly can make an impact when used en masse on a relatively tight budget . . . Think along the lines of the white variety massed at a winter wedding venue.

Floral Christmas cakes and Dress Making

Creating a eye popping window display is the latest message being drilled into us at college. Today we collectively created a display for a winter wedding in the college reception. I cant tell you how much I enjoyed making a very regal looking bridal gown to complete the display . . . Ok,  I wont say I have the skills for 'real' dressmaking . . . But the end result was very pleasing. Surprising what one can do with a little satin material, a handful of pearl headed pins and some eager florists :) ( surprisingly half the group making the dress had retail and clothing merchandising experience and haberdashery crafts such a millinery, many hands make light work as the saying goes (Bibi I hope have spelt this right). 

No Wedding dress is complete without a beautiful train.  A beautifully handcrafted necklace  ( made by a colleague) finishes of the decadent look!!

Social Wellbeing in Urban Environments

Today is the last day of the 4 week investigation I have been carrying out at my fathers office blocks. I am investigating the link between plants and flowers in urban environments such as offices and how they effect social wellbeing of the people working in office conditions. I have delieverd floral arrangements to 3 sets of offices each containing a miminum of 3 staff memebers for a month. This afternoon I will collect the arrangements sadly for the last time and leave a set of questionnaires for the participants to answer regarding their personal experiences of having plants and flowers installed at their office. Looking forward to analysising the answers and seeing whether my hypothesis is correct. I was inspired to conduct this investigation after reading an article in 'Florist &Wholesale Buyer' in 2008/2009 regarding the relaunch of selling plants in florists and how to sell the benefits of plants to customers. Alongside the article was a column about Plants for People, an organisation looking to raise the profile of the humble houseplant and scientifically prove the social, health and econmical benefits of plants in home and office.

http://www.plants-for-people.com/

http://www.plants4life.org/


Some really interesting stuff . .  Take a look

Work Experience

Finding work experience this year for my university course has been even harder than last year. What with the current economic situation, local florists are either fully staffed or simply dont have enough work to go round. With the requirement for 400 hours to pass the module, I started to panic. However, I mustn't complain, as I have just come back from two fantastic days working alongside Paula Pryke and her very knowledgable team in her London based flower school. Although my hands are very sore and covered in spinters from binding pine to wreaths and wiring up many christmassy delights, I must say I throughly enjoyed every minute of it. Not only did I have the chance to put into practice the wiring techniques I have learnt at college, but also the oppertunity to learn new skills and head home on the train looking like a christmas tree myself . . .  covered in gold spray paint and glitter.

Autumn

Autumn leaves to me are like fast motor cars to Toad from Wind in the Willows. I just LOVE them!! The vibrancy and variety of the colours is astonishing . . . Nature really does rock . .  We mere humans stay one colour all year round ( unless you are fortunate enough to find some summer sun and then we look slightly burnt around the edges). So when the leaves fell  thick and fast in my parents garden this year, I just couldn't help but go and play  . . . I mean help sweep them up.

Simply messing about with leaves, above leaves from 3 beautiful old cooking apple trees and below . . . Beech leaves, a rich copper colour . . . from the neighbours garden (humph).

Having grown up surrounded by women who love nature and horticulture, it seemed only natural that I too would catch the gardening bug . . . and I really have, but not just gardening for pleasure but for food too. Organic, home-grown produce really is the best fresh food that you are likely to eat. . .  Every flavour is full, sweet and wholesome. The best comparison you could ever make would be between the perfectly formed tomato from the supermarket ,and the homegrown organically cared for tomato. Yes the homegrown is slightly knobbly in shape but that earthy flavour is there, with a beautiful texture . . Mr Tesco's tomato is a hard as a rock, usually unripe and tastes as flavoursome as water!! 

Autumn to me isn't just about a blaze of colour but also about foraging  . . . For as long as I can remember I have always gone blackberrying with my mother and often grandmother in tow. It became a yearly ritual amongst the woman in the family. Spending several hours on the way home, standing in nettle patches in your school uniform, trying with all your might to reach the juicy berries near the top of the bush without toppling over into the ditch below . . . well its become second nature now and its an experience I hope to share with my own children one day. Even picking the apples in the garden still gives me that excited feeling of harvesting something you have either found or grown yourself.  There is something quite elegant about the way an apple hangs in the orchard. . . one can see why Eve was tempted to the tree.

Mille Fleur

Mille Fleur designs are literally transcribed as millions or thousands of flowers. Myself, I prefer clean cut classical look with a contemporary spin when it comes to floristry. . . and  clothes, and interior design, and food for that matter. . . So mille fleur seemed a rather messy concept to me. 

I must say I wasn't too inspired by the flower choice for the task. Solidago,  purple Statice, yellow santini Chrysanths,  White Gyp, Pittosporum and pastel pink spray Diathus. However, I remembered a design created by Claire Cowling, using the mille fleur style that Id seen in her funeral tributes book. Once I had started the design in a similar fashion to Claire Cowlings' design, I began to enjoy the technique of arranging materials in that fashion.
To add a little contemporary twist and a focal area to the design, I pinned some beech twigs, stripped of their autumn leaves, in a crescent shape to mimic the never ending circular form of the tribute. It turned into quite a 'sunny' design in the end, which I think is fitting for a funeral tribute. . Funerals shouldn't have to be gloomy and sad, celebrating the chance to live life I think is the best form of send off and the flowers should reflect that.

Below are some images of another funeral tribute that I completed with two colleagues from my course.  We were asked to create a design that incorporated  set contemporary techniques. They will be given to the Year 1 group for evaluation.

• Grouping
• Caging
• Cupping

These were some of the techniques we were asked to include. We used Galax leaves to create little leaf cones. They really are the perfect shape and size for this technique and we  softly grouped all the materials. On the whole the design took on a rather traditional appearance due to material /colour choice, However, once we added a  contemporary caging feature made from pieces of steel grass, glued together in a random fashion, the tribute took on a asymmetrical form, especially with Zantedeschias sweeping across one half of the circle, and the whole design was lifted by the contrasts in texture.

Updates on Funeral Work

I must say I surprised myself by how professional the funeral letters myself and 2 university colleagues created for a group exercise.  I was initially horrified with being given the task, but we really did turn the concept of letters on its head and mainly through improvisation with materials we had gathered from the college campus ( some beautiful finds . . . dried star shaped seed heads, conkers).
We ran with the idea that this tribute was intended to symbolise the deceased love of gardening and the overall effect was natural and very textural. The use of very earthy autumnal colours helped make this design seasonal - which also ticks the box for local sourcing of materials. . . Why not use rosehips, twigs and conkers from nearby hedge rows if your a florist based in country villages, as long as you prune sympathetically and leave some berries for the birds over colder months, its a great way to keep costs down,  and brings a real taste of the outdoors inside. 

Doing away with the traditional pleated ribbon in gordy colours instantly transformed the letters. Simply pining some moss round the letter edges created a softer profile and took far less time than creating rows of individual plastic pleats.To redefine the shape and tame the moss, we put to practice our 'hairdressing skills'

Beautiful clusters of Hydrangea created accent points across the tribute. We were mindful to place the groups randomly to create the feeling that the materials just natural sprouting out of the base.

We used Rosemary and Eucalyptus parvifolia for their beautiful aroma. So often herbs and scented flowers are used in weddings designs and bouquets, why not in a funeral arrangement.  The brain often associates memories with a scent. For example, I remember the smell of a particular Rose from my Grandmothers garden and when I smell the rose now I am transported back to the garden where I used to pick buttercups and play.

We softly grouped the materials to create a contemporary look. Instead of a spray, we used contorted salix to link the letters together. This created some movement and completed the design as one unit.

Improvements : I think the salix looks a little lost against such a busy background. A more dominant use of the Salix would soon rectify this issue.

Thoughts on the Bloom Show

Wow, totally exhausted after helping behind the scenes at the recent Bloom show held at Lingfield Rcaecourse and Marriot Hotel.
This has definitely been one of the most valuable experiences for me in my (so far)short career in the floristry industry. At university, gaining work experience is an integral part of the course and must be completed to gain a better view of the industry and how it works and what is expected by employers. On a personal level, I think work experience (if you get the right sort) helps you discover more about yourself and where your heading in life. You loose the safety net of the classroom and therefore you find out more about your strengths and weaknesses. Two days with some very highly skilled floral designers and trade magazine journalists and editors was fascinating, but also a little daunting.

I spent the Saturday morning conditioning a room full of flowers, and in the afternoon I set about making arrangements  to decorate the venue,  ( free rein on style and use of material really was a treat).  Speed really is everything in this industry, and I found myself in awe at the speed of the designers who were partially constructing designs for the Sundays' demonstrations. I began feel almost embarrassed at the speed I was working. Considering and remembering all the basic theories of floral design takes time. . . Correct placement of materials first time, principles and elements etc. However, for the 'seasoned' florist this is a doddle . . . but even so I still felt rather sheepish as I am expected to be working at an 'advanced' level. Nonetheless, attending the show, was a huge inspiration to myself and many others.

Having ranted away in my previous blog about funeral letter tributes and how awfully tacky they are, I have a new found respect for them. Designer, Heidi Lawley used a MUM tribute during one of her demos at the Bloom show.  Subtle colours, Polytear ribbon edging and the traditional spray done away with, and a simplistic use of materials made this tribute look classy. For me personally, letter and other 3D foam tributes will never be my thing but I have faith that florists will start to be more adventurous and move away from the pleated ribbon and massed Chrysanths and educate the customer on how pleasing these designs can look.

Design by : Heidi Lawley

Photography : Grace Walker

         Main Materials

• Lavender

• Waxflower

• Heather

• Eucalyptus

• Berries

BLOOM SHOW and The Horrors of Funeral Letters

Final details have been made for my trip to Lingfield Racecourse this weekend, where the new concept floristry show will be held, run and skillfully organised by the Wordhouse publishing team. Extremely excited about this opportunity to see and work behind the scenes at the show lending a hand where I can. The camera is already on charge for the plethora of photos I hope to snap!  For now though, I will be working on university assignments such as questions for an interview with the talented publisher of Florist and Wholesale Buyer and planning a floral worded funeral tribute with two of my colleagues from college.  The oasis letters are to spell 'NAN'. Personally, I have distinct dislike of these types of tributes  as they are usually garish and unimaginative. Our vision is to turn these letters upside down and shake up the whole concept of  letter tributes. Desperate to move away from massed white chrysanthemums and carnations and use something more wholesome, more unusual is proving difficult due to a tight budget. Our awarded theme is ' Natural' which seems rather contradictory considering the mechanics  of the tribute are made from non biodegradable  florist foam on a plastic rack. However, we have been inspired by the flowing and highly textural work of Claire Cowling and hope to adapt some of the beautiful ideas from her book on funeral design ( see my recommendations box, amazon sells this) to our tribute. A few choice naturally textural pieces such a birch twigs, cones etc to enhance the design seems to be the way to do style on a budget. Updates will follow.

Less is More

This design was certainly a challenge today as we had complete choice over design/style and materials,but gave me great satisfaction in completing. I have learnt a valuable lesson in how use control and restraint when accessorising a single flower.  The technique of layering a variety of materials up the stem of the Lily proved to be a difficult concept for me initially. The flower either became dominated by adornments or looked sparse and unbalanced, both actual balance and visual were affected greatly.  However, after a few scrawled sketches, I took a more architectural/ sculptural approach to the design. By limiting myself to a monochromatic colour scheme, save for the hint of red Hypericum berries and two types of material - aluminum wire and textural ribbon, the overall design came together in a form of sweeping shapes, weaving into one another, and the task less daunting. The finished design varied greatly from the initial sketches due to my curiosity with playing with the materials, offering them up against each other.  My motivation stayed the same throughout the practical - I wanted to create something classical and blissfully simple to look at. . . . . Less is More.

I feel a great improvement in my practical work since my 1st year of training. During construction of a design, I have now found that analysing my work in accordance with the principles and elements of design has become second nature. I feel I can justify material/ colour choices more confidently through a growing confidence of knowledge about colour harmonies and the 12 'golden rules of floristry'. Texture and Rhythm feature heavily in all of my designs because they are very adaptable features and often the easiest way to create an impact, (especially when working to a tight budget).

Harmony                                                       Line

Balance                                                          Form

Scale                                                              Space

Proportion                                                    Colour

Dominance                                                   Texture

Contrast

Rhythm          

Yr 2 - Back to Uni.

Back to university this week. Very exciting stuff!! Looking forward to challenges ahead. We have already started exploring current floristry trends and how this applies to the fashion world. Two of my favourite things coming together. . .  Fashion and Flowers. What else could a girl ask for!!  

Had a real confidence boost in our first practical session of the year. Completed a Bridal bouquet on a posy holder with a stunning contemporary handle. The traditional posy shape is a soft dome shape and with the right shape and size flowers is usually considered a doddle! ! However it proved rather different when I had to complete an Edwardian inspired bridal posy in my 1st year practical exam. On completing a contemporary version of the bridal posy, I was over joyed to see what an improvement I had made since my last attempt. Practice really does make perfect!!

Silver Candle Stick courtesy of Alayne Walker

MATERIALS:

• Xerophyllum tenax

• Pearlised Beads

• Foam Holder

• Rosa

• Eustoma

• Pittosporum tenuifolium

• Hypericum

Wannabe Florist: Photography - Capturing the essence of a moment

Wannabe Florist: Photography - Capturing the essence of a moment: "I have recently returned from a holiday in North Norfolk. True to form, the unpredictable nature of the British weather caused havoc with ma..."

Photography - Capturing the essence of a moment

I have recently returned from a holiday in North Norfolk. True to form, the unpredictable nature of the British weather caused havoc with many of our plans however we did make it down the beach after a hearty breakfast at the hotel. Unable to resist I got the camera out, and snapped happily away at the sand dunes and little rivers of shingle and beach debrie that snaked acrossed the sand. Have found my love of photography rekindled and Iam keen to take up some professional lessons to capture not only my practical floristry work but the natural world around me. It has proved to be so inspirational thus far, why not preserve those magical moments for future reference. I feel a free style beach inspired design coming on. . . shells, beach pebbles, frothy grasses. . .

 

Coming up smelling of Roses . . .

Celebrities launching their own clothing and perfume ranges really does get me flustered, especially when people flock to buy these products. However, upon discovering this morning that, Jane Packer, one of the most accomplished British floral designers of the present time will be launching her own perfume range this October, I thought I would have the same old feelings I usually do on this issue. Although, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself congratulating the floristry icon on such an achievement. Its not a new idea but it certainly is a first for the floristry industry.

I applaud her for creating a product that fits a market/industry that she has much experience in. Floral  perfumes are a fantastic add on product for a florist. . . who wouldnt want to recieve a beautiful bouquet of flowers accompained by a perfume made by people in the know. It seems to me that the A- list stars drum up these product ranges only for more publicity and to keep their 'disciples' following their every move. Where's the individuality in smelling and looking like Britney Spears or Victoria Beckham. . . .

Link to the article on Professional Florist newsletter. http://www.professionalflorist.co.uk/article-210-jane-packer-launches-fragrance-collection/

A Two Person Handtied

Constructing a large handtied bouquet for my aunts birthday.

All photographs courtesy of Mrs. A. Walker

Handtied Bouquets have not always been my strongest point. I have always admired the spiralling technique that allows the stems to support themselves and makes the design free standing, but had trouble grasping it. When I under took the challenge of making a bouquet for my aunts birthday, I was  very nervous. I had no guidance from a tutor or trained florist and this was one of the biggest designs I have created since starting my training. I did, however, have my dear mum on hand. She has a critical eye and a second pair of hands was indeed needed when it came to tying everything together. I must say I was thrilled to see it finished, and even more so that I finally mastered the all important technique.

Materials used:

• 
  
  Pink Rosa
• 
  
  White Rosa
• 
  
   Pink Lathyrus (Sweet Peas)
• 
  
  Pink Alstroemeria
• 
  
  Purple Syringa (Homegrown Lilac)
• 
  
  Gaultheria shallon (salal)

Layering round with Cream tissue paper.

Bouquet finished and ready for delievery. One very happy florist, one very messy kitchen (apologises mum) and one delighted Aunt .

Eco Floristry Products 2#

This article found on The Professional Florist Newsletter really does make for interesting reading (http://www.professionalflorist.co.uk/article-207-going-green-without-going-into-the-red/) .

 However, the government are helping supply energy friendly machinery to small businesses like photocopiers etc, but what about the thousands of florists up and down the length of the country who would like to stock more environmentally friendly products eg packaging and eco add ons but find them too highly priced. . .  Will there be reduced pricing in the future for items like these that form an integral part of our trade? On another note, florist shops are usually old buildings with poor heating/ insulation. . . resulting in an often draughty, cold work environment. Not so wonderful for the fingers and toes of the florist, but certainly provides the right storage temperatures for flowers and foliage. Because of this Ive found many florists do not require chiller units for their stock. Should we not recieve reimbursement for the frost bite? ? :)

Floristry and Jewellary

Just this minute signed up for some Jewellary workshops at my university. Thought whats the harm . . .its free and once you have  the basic techniques covered wire work can be used for all sorts of floral products and services for example,  Bridal work. I have noticed that contemporary floral jewellary is increasingly popular for weddings and I have been inspired in the past by beautifully crafted designs  for floral shows.  Any work I produce at the workshop will be showcased alongside other students work at this year's COMFORT PRIMA charity 'Hight Street Fashion Awards' event supporting Breakthrough  Breast Cancer! ! ! Very exciting stuff. (pictures coming soon)

Career Change

Firstly, for those of you who dont already know about or subscribe to Florist & Wholesale Magazine, really must visit the newly vamped website. Bursting with inspiration and ideas.

I was particularly touched by one article posted on the site, about a ex RAF soldier who had returned home and decided a change of direction was needed after experiencing traumatic situations fighting abroad. The ex soldier set up a floristry business near his home.  (http://www.fandwb.com/the-news/159-from-fighter-jets-to-flowers.html)

I have found now that it is not unusual to see or hear such stories. Individuals who have come from stressful, high profile jobs are turning to Horticulture or Floriculture as a form of rehab and a refreshing career move. It really goes to show that its not just the receipents of floral gifts that benefit, but the people who put their creativity and passion for all things growing to good use.

When Words Wont Do. . .

Sometimes words just arent enough to show someone you care. . . So naturally I turn to flowers to show my emotions and share my love.

My Grandmother had recently been admitted to hospital after a stroke. I went to visit and took her a small  modern vertical design in oasis in pretty pink and white Rosa, the based filled with Freesias ( for their beautiful scent) to make her bedside table look homely. The display was on the ward for barely an hour, when it was whisked away and placed in a holding area, much to my grandmother's disappointment. It was later explained due to the nature of the ward's activities and patients condition, flowers were not allowed incase of transferal of infection.
Although this was a terrible shame, I now understand the hospitals reasons. Many of our beautiful flowers are grown worldwide and flown to Britain. Naturally they will be carrying insects that are not native to us Brits and different strains of bacteria that we have not necessarily been exposed too. To those with lowered immune systems this poses an extra problem when it comes to fighting off the previously mentioned bugs and beasties.

However, I do find it hypocritical of the health system to ban flowers on many wards, when visitors rarely use anti-bacterial handwash before entering a ward and more importantly the shoes that pace the warren like corridors. I dread to think of the types of bacteria that the soles of our shoes host! ! !  Ok, a little dramatic perhaps but it certainly shines a different kind of light on my favourite boots that stomp through all terraines and weather. . . . .

Eco Friendly Floristry Products

A thought that struck me whilst dismantling my large Indian themed flower display from my early 21st birthday party ( picture coming soon), was how wasteful the floristry industry can be. To create the meter long free standing display took 16 blocks of floral foam. None of which could be reused. . . or broken down into organic matter. The industry as a whole promotes its products as bringing the 'outside in', bringing us all a little closer to nature. But underneath, our mechanics are unfriendly to the natural world we take so much from. Growing flowers in temperature controlled greenhouses, most of which are not heated using a renewal source, importing products worldwide by airoplanes, en mass use of floral foam, cellophane packaging. The list sadly goes on. . .  However it is not all doom and gloom. In the small amount of experience I have and through personal research, there has been in recent years a surge for locally produced flowers, a demand that came from the public. . . BEST OF BRTISH. I really do think this is the way forward for florists to turn around their 'wasteful' image, and it boosts the once great British industries. . . We loose many every year  to imported products, made cheaper elsewhere. . . Food for thought . . .

Please drop me a line if you know of any up and coming eco floristy products that deserve a mention!!

Here is a photo of the Indian inspired floral display I used in the marquee.

Wannabe Florist: First Blog

Wannabe Florist: First Blog: "Well Hello..... This blog has come about through odd circumstances. A child hood dream to be an author combined with my passion for floricu..."

First Blog

Well Hello.....
This blog has come about through odd circumstances.  A child hood dream to be an author combined with my passion for floriculture. . . and a rather wet and windy  Tuesday afternoon.

I am a student studying a Foundation degree in Professional Floristry. This september I will be returning to Writtle College, Chelmsford to complete my second year. For those who are looking into a career in floristry, this really is the place to go. I have attended now 2 out of the 3 universities  in the UK, offering a full BA Hons degree in the subject. The teaching and level of oppertunities available  at Writtle, really is second to none for such a specialised subject. But enough PR for now.

When leaving school and choosing A Level subjects I fancied a creative career involved with natural products. . . Horticulture and Landscape gardening was sugguested. It seemed to make sense. As far back as I could remember I would spend hours in the garden with my grandmother ( god bless her ) and my mother. They would be hard at work pruning, cutting grass, attending to vegetables. . . Me, making mud pies sprinkled with Lavender and Rose petals and other prized plants from the garden. I distinctly remember the rattly noise of  pushing my own mini green and yellow wheel borrow along the paths. . . mini trowel, fork and bucket to the ready. However, something was a miss. All of a sudden Landscaping lost its appeal and I was back to square one. I trawlled for ages through listings of all the careers available that combined design and nature. The last on the list was Floristry. A creative art using natural products. BINGO!!

And  so, here I am. Almost 21 and making a career out of a hobby.