Hello Flower Friends,
I have a question for all of you today from a business owner. Please leave your suggestions, comments, thoughts and advice in the comments section of the blog.
Thank you in advance!
Alicia
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When you force open roses and even peel back the petals, is this referred to as reflexed roses or reflexing petals?
Any tips on reflexing without tearing the petals?
Keyword Best Practices for Your SEO Strategy via WeddingWire
A list by Flowers Across Melbourne of Influential Floral Designers. They mention a few European designers that I have not heard of so it was interesting to visit their website/facebook pages.
Have you ever seen BloomTube? It’s a European portal with lots of videos. Joe Massie is the host of many of these videos and I just adore that guy so I really enjoy his videos!
Into the Wild With Sarah Ryhanen on T Magazine is a lovely article about Saipua.
Amanda of Alluring Blooms
Krissy of Pollen, Boston
Megan of Fieldwork Flowers
Heather Barrie of Gathering Floral + Event Design and Anne Dabney of Stems
Anna of Swallows & Damsons
Hello Flower Friends,
I have a question for all of you today from a business owner. Please leave your suggestions, comments, thoughts and advice in the comments section of the blog.
Thank you in advance!
Alicia
…………………………….
Any tips on what other designers do about “lending” couples their containers for weddings and other special events? In the new area the country that I live in, it is very common for guests to just help themselves to the centerpieces whether they have been invited to do so or not. I charge a deposit fee, label the bottom with my return address, and do not use anything that is irreplaceable, but it is getting annoying for both me and the couples I work with. Just wondering what I’m forgetting.
Hello Flower Friends,
I have a question for all of you today from a business owner. Please leave your suggestions, comments, thoughts and advice in the comments section of the blog.
Thank you in advance!
Alicia
…………………………….
My boss and I are curious to know if any florists out there receive $$ tips? The amount of effort and creativity that goes into the daily work, would be nice to receive tips the way that waitresses do. Does anyone else believe so? We would like to know what other florists would have to say about that. Thank you.
Hello Flower Friends!
How is it Friday already?! Where does time go in the summer?? Oh that’s right .. weddings. lol.
So, I have two classes coming up in September in Seattle, and one class scheduled in Chicago. Click here to see the schedule.
The workshops scheduled for Chicago and Seattle features designing both a bouquet and compote styled centerpiece. We’ll start the morning with the bouquet session, where we’ll create the popular oblong style we see on Instagram. Here’s a bouquet I designed for a wedding last week, in the class we’ll do something similar to this one –
Then we’ll move on to the centerpiece session of the workshop where we’ll design a compote styled arrangement filled with dahlias and all the other fall goodies. Here’s the latest dahlia composition I designed –
It’s going to be Ah-Mazing — I hope you can join us at one of the workshops!! Click here to read more about the workshops.
Whether you’re a solo-preneur or sit at the helm of a floral empire there’s no doubt you have to prioritize your to-do list. Here’s my #1 tip to help set priorities and make more money.
Contact Information:
Alison Ellis
Floral Artistry
Vermont
15 Years ago today was my first day of full time floral designer business!
It’s so hard for me to believe that 15 years have gone by since I jumped into the deep end of the pool. Sink or Swim, baby!
Come to think of it- there was a lot of treading water, paddling hard, and sometimes it felt like I might drown.
Honestly, I had plans to make this a fun week of reminiscing, but the past fews days have been a rough, roller coaster ride. Power out for ~30 hours, trees down in the yard, a shattered windshield on the car, etc, etc. The list of current road bumps goes on quite a bit, but I’ll spare you all the boring details. Yet, I sit here and am trying to write this blog post, reminisce about the past 15 years. Thinking I should just grab a cup of coffee, close my eyes, hide under a blanket.
Ok, here’s a sum up of 15 years in this industry. I have a wedding scheduled for next week, luckily it’s a petite affair. Right now my father-in-law’s health has taken a turn for the worse, he’s currently undergoing treatment for leukemia in Omaha. My husband flew out yesterday, and I’m sitting here tying up loose ends and preparing to fly out as well. The wedding for next week is in the back of my mind. Yesterday my friend, Miles of Fiori Floral Design, says to me – don’t worry about your wedding, we’ll take care of it for you. That right there, that’s what this industry means to me. Friends who help each other out in a time of need.
That being said … I’m going to need a break from the blog as I tend to family business. I’m sorry to say that there is nothing currently in the queue for the blog. Thank you for understanding.
xo,
Alicia
All about Dahlias – Bouquets & Compote Style Floral Arrangements!
Chicago | Tuesday, September 29, 2015 | 10am-5pm | Register Here
It’s all about Dahlias in this hands-on design class!
Class will begin with a Bouquet Demonstration. Think airy, assymterical, Instagram-esqe style bridal bouquet; this is the bouquet we’ll be designing with a lovely assortment of my personal favorite flower, the Dahlia! We’ll embellish this beauty with elegant ribbons.
Then we’ll move on to the afternoon design session where we’ll create the Footed Compote styled floral centerpiece. Picture stunning dahlias, flowing foliages, and accent flowers, which will compliment the dahlias.
Hello dear flower friends,
I’m back. 
When I left a note on here on September 1st I would have never guessed I’d be gone until October 5th. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Everyone deals with emergencies and grief differently, I am one who shuts down and loses interest in the outside world. I did check in on instagram a few times this past month, but that was about it.
Sadly, we did lose my father-in-law. damn cancer. I hate that word so much!
I do want to say a big thank you to Taylor’s Flowers in Omaha. They handled the flowers for us and I was very impressed with their work. You all know how hard it is to hand over what we do, especially to people that we don’t personally know! Taylor’s did a great job and we were all very happy with their floral design work. (Note to self, leave great reviews on Yelp and Facebook for Taylor’s).
I did fly up to Chicago though, as planned and taught the design class. Gosh, that was fun! My first experience with destination teaching. Not surprisingly, there is a learning curve with sourcing — not bad, just different. Anyway, I’ll share more stories and pictures from that day soon here on the blog.
Gosh, you guys, I do have a lot to share with you .. I just have to get back into the swing of life, you know? I’m writing this on Sunday night, Chad and I just got home and I’m looking out the window at my garden — they dahlias are blooming like crazy! Granted I see I have a lot of deadheading to do – the joys of growing, right?!
Here’s just a glimpse of one of the areas of my garden –
Oh, for those of you in the Washington and surrounding areas – I did schedule a class for this coming Saturday! I know, super short notice.. I’ve had designers requesting me to teach this class again, it’s the bouquet designing and pricing workshop. You can read more about it and sign up here.
So .. I’m going to get back to work and back on schedule.
Did you know that I love flowers and flower people?? The bit of happiness that keeps me going through the tough times. Thanks guys
~Alicia
the third weekend of october 2015, cutting edge florists from michigan and across the country will fill the walls and ceilings of an abandoned detroit house with american-grown fresh flowers and living plants for a weekend installation. flower house visitors will be welcomed to a weekend of exploration friday, october 16th through sunday october 18th.
for more information visit http://www.theflower.house
Flower House Invite from hello future on Vimeo.
Ok, guys, I don’t know what to call the selection I’ve posted today — antique, plums, greys, dusty, moody, burgundy, sultry, autumn, .. a bit of everything!
Designer Unknown
Mary McLeod for Amy Osaba
Meghan Kay Sadler Photography
I really enjoyed this video by AccentDecor, have you seen it?
Accent Decor Talks Inspiration & Trends – inspiring look at what goes on behind the scenes –
Happy Fleur Friday!
Well, it’s been a good, busy week. Time really does fly by..
It’s Friday morning as I write this and I am sitting here thinking about the day ahead and what should I work on first – the 50 centerpieces that need to be designed? prep for tomorrow’s bouquet workshop? clean my messy desk?? blog more articles for next week? answer emails?
The life of a creative entrepreneur .. I have a feeling everyone reading this is in the same boat?!
On Tuesday I helped my friend, Chandin of Studio 3 Florals, set up an event at the Seattle Art Museum. I love the yellow floral arrangements that Chandin designed – such a great splash of color at this corporate event.
On Thursday I visited Seattle Wholesale Growers Market to select flowers for my Bouquet Designing and Pricing Workshop tomorrow. As hard as it is to pick out one favorite flower, I will say these Peaches and Cream Dahlias from Everyday Flower Farm definitely ranks high on my list of favorite flowers! I’ve had a crush on it since last summer. There usually aren’t any available on the floor for sale so I was thrilled to grab this handful!!
Also, my workshop tomorrow will take place at the growers’ market, so I wanted to get in there and think about the layout of the class. The market layout changes a lot each week as the amount of flowers ebb & flow with the season – and right now they have a ton of flowers in!
Speaking of the Bridal Bouquet & Pricing Workshop, there are a few spaces left in the class tomorrow if you’d like to join us. I am pleasantly surprised to see how many people did sign up this week considering I just scheduled the class last weekend! Can’t wait to see everyone tomorrow
I guess that’s it for now. I’m still just trying to get back into the swing of things, get organized after being gone most of September. OH! Chad and I have been out buying up tulip bulbs and have more being shipped in — parrot tulips galore!! Can’t wait to get those into the ground. Meanwhile, my dahlia gardens are a wreck after a big rainstorm this week. Spent a few hours yesterday trying to clean them up. Growing flowers is definitely a labor of love!!
Have a great weekend everyone!
~Alicia
I’ve been hearing about the Field to Vase Dinner Tour all summer long and have been waiting anxiously for it to come to Washington! On September 12 the day finally came and the lovely dinner took place at Jello Mold Farms in Skagit Valley.
What an evening it was; perfect weather, the amazing evening light seemed to cast a spell over the farm, the floral centerpieces were met with oohs & aahs, the wine flowed, the food was passed, the conversation filled the evening air.
Andy, Diane and Dennis – the hardworking farmers of Jello Mold!
Andy walking thru the Dahlias
Erica of Botany 101 setting the table before the guests arrive
Our delicious dinner menu
Do you spot something different in the foliage here? Look closely. Yep, that’s hemp leaves.
Here they come! Debra prepares the registration table as the guests start to arrive for the Field to Vase Dinner!!
I am completely smitten with this design by Melissa of Terra Bella Floral Design! Somehow Melissa designed this on top of the pitchforks without the use of floral foam! I didn’t get the chance to ask Melissa how she did it, maybe she used Floral Soil??
Did you know that in addition to growing amazing flowers, Dennis can also sing and play the guitar??
Top left of the arch is decorated with this beautiful display
Wine!
sure, I’ll have some of that!
The table is set and welcoming the evenings guests
Melissa of Terra Bella lights the candles
Dinner is served
Passing food
The light, the food, the flowers, the people ..
The sun was going down and it cast the most amazing light over the guests enjoying dinner
The sun goes down, the camaraderie goes up!
Dining by candlelight
Thank you to Kathleen Williford, Field to Vase Tour Manager, Kasey Cronquist of CA Cut Flower Commission, Debra Prinzing and Diane & Dennis of Jello Mold Farm for organizing an amazing evening.
Thank you to all the flowers farmers who are part of Seattle Wholesale Growers Market and donated their gorgeous flowers for all the guests to enjoy!
Thank you to Melissa and Erica of Terra Bella Flowers for designing all the gorgeous floral arrangements.
Thank you to Chef Erik Johnson of Capitol Cider for a fantastic 5-course meal.
There’s only one Field to Vase dinner left for 2015 and it’ll take place this week in Detroit, Michigan. Stay tuned as I would imagine the 2016 schedule will be posted shortly, I will definitely post it here on Flirty Fleurs and I highly recommend attending one when it comes to your city!
I leave you with one last picture of two very awesome people –
Diane and Dennis
