As a business owner it’s only natural to try new things…especially when you think it’s going to increase sales. In today’s video I’m revealing the worst business advice I ever took. If you happen to follow this advice, it’s time to stop.

Also, I’ve got a quick Flower Math update for you! Enrollment for Session 1 will be closing on Jan. 5th. Save $100 on the course if you register before Jan. 5, 2016. Check out the details of my new online course, Flower Math, here: http://freshevents.floralartvt.com If it’s right for you, sign up. I’d love to see you in the class.

If you’d like to get my proposal writing video click to subscribe
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Contact Information:
Alison Ellis
Floral Artistry
Vermont

Today we hand the blog reins over to Bloompop, who is interviewing Nosegay–

Nosegay is located in Washington, DC
Check out the Nosegay’s page on Bloompop

When did you start your business and where are you based?
Nosegay opened in 1935 and is based in the heart of Washington DC.

What is your favorite thing about being a Bloompop Floral Partner?
The social media marketing that brings people to the Bloompop site.

Can you tell us what prompted you to partner with Bloompop?
We were approached by Shavanna to partner and we couldn’t find a reason not to!

What (in your mind) is the biggest challenge facing the floral industry today?
Competition with large third party vendors like FTD, Teleflora, 1-800 flowers. Most people don’t understand that when they order from these platforms, that company takes a cut from the total sale price and plays into the look and value of the final floral product. Most people who are unhappy blame it on the local florist who put together the arrangement but we are going by the prescribed recipe of the third party as written. It’s a necessary evil to sustain enough volume.

Where & how do you find inspiration for your floral designs?
Fashion, interior and other design trends.

Bloompop partners with florists by invitation only, hand selecting the top luxury florists–did this play a factor in your joining Bloompop?
Yes, we like that the florists featured are all top tier and higher caliber, it gives the site and the partners on the site added value.

As a designer it isn’t always easy to go hunting for new business opportunities- Would you say that Bloompop helps augment your sales team for business?
Sure, we take any additional business we can get!

What would you say to a florist who is interested in Bloompop?
Try it out, get your name out there and determine if it works for you.

The annual Poinsettia Show at Lauritzen Gardens is definitely one to see if you love Poinsettias or happen to be in Omaha, Nebraska during the holidays. They fill the display hall with over 5,000 plants in 26 different varieties! Plus, a miniature train runs through the display which is fun addition especially if you visit the display with children in tow.

Greeted by a 20′ tall Poinsettia Tree!

Poinsettia Euphorbia Pulcherrima ‘Ice Punch’

Poinsettia Euphorbia Pulcherrima ‘Cortez Burgundy’

Poinsettia Euphorbia Pulcherrima ‘Whitestar’

Poinsettia Euphorbia Pulcherrima ‘Whitestar’

Poinsettia Euphorbia Pulcherrima ‘Sonora White Glitter ‘

Poinsettia Euphorbia Pulcherrima ‘Sonora White Glitter ‘

Poinsettia Euphorbia Pulcherrima ‘Winter Rose White’

Poinsettia Euphorbia Pulcherrima ‘Monet Twilight’

Walking the paths of Christmas Trees and Poinsettia varieties

Good morning Flower Friends!

Sorry for the late post today, it’s been crazy busy around here lately. Granted it’s the holiday season and I have a feeling every single person is crazy busy, right?!

One of the projects I’ve been working on since returning from the European adventure three weeks ago is turning over my cutting garden. This, of course, is largely dictated by the weather — there seems to be a window here in Washington from about 12-4 where there is enough sun in my yard to get out there and work.

The week I returned from the trip Chad and I pulled out all the dahlias. We dug up about 140 plants, not bad for a second year cutting garden, eh? You guys, I admit, I’m a slow-poke at processing these dahlia tubers!!! Vivian from Everyday Flower Farm suggested I split the tubers in the fall this year and not wait until spring like I did last year. So I’m cleaning and splitting and packing them. I must over think each cut because it has taken me a long time to get thru these tubers. Oh, and if all these tubers make it through the winter … well, I’ll be planting a lot of tubers in the spring – probably 400?! ha ha.

Chad and I got the flower beds cleaned up and pulled out anything that wouldn’t overwinter. Then we started planting the BULBS. BULBS GALORE! I’m counting the days until spring!!
Back in September at the Field To Vase Dinner at Jello Mold Farm I met Danielle from Longfield Gardens. She told me about the tulips and other bulbs that Longfield Gardens offers (they do sell wholesale, so be sure to inquire!!). The next day I found myself spending a considerable amount of time on the website, picking out bulbs for different displays in my cutting garden.

This is what I have planned so far (as long as those damn rabbits stay away)-

For one flower bed I have this wine, plum and white display planned. I already have dark purple bearded irises established in the bed and two Koko Loko Rose bushes (not that the roses will be blooming at the same time as all these spring flowers). These anemones and fritillarias are going to be so killer (damn rabbits better not touch the fritillarias)

The next flower bed is filled with these red and white tulips!! 150 Parrot & fringed tulips – I can’t wait for these to pop up in the spring!
Y’all, I’m going to be making some really pretty arrangements! (and probably teach a design class with all these pretties)

Now since Chad works so hard in the yard (he does really enjoy it) he gets to have his own display of orange tulips and fritillarias – orange is his favorite color. I haven’t had much luck with Lutea Fritillarias in the past, crossing fingers they grow this year!

Going to pretty amazing in the spring, don’t ya think??

Oh – three in progress photos from the planting. Matisse absolutely loves the days we work in the garden. She watches each bulb get placed.

Chad is holding 75 Anemones and Fritillarias — hard to believe these 75 tiny little corms will turn into plants, right?!

She watches every single one in the ground. OCD Cocker!

I feel pretty good knowing the garden has been put to bed for winter. Everything in its place and now I wait until springtime for a flower explosion. And visit Longfield Gardens’ website again to see what else I might want to order for the next planting go-around! *CLEMATIS selection looks amazing*

Your name:​ Olivier Giugni​
Your Business name:​ L’Olivier Floral Atelier​
Your Location:​ 19 East 76th Street, New York, NY 10021

Sisley Product Launch

How did you start your business?​
After working for 15 years for French fashion designer Pierre Cardin​, I decided to open my own Atelier in New York City, which at the time was across the street from restaurant Daniel owned by famous Chef Daniel Boulud.

How many years have you been in business?​
20 years​

Baccarat Hotel

What is your design aesthetic?​
Modern, Avant-garde and Elegant​

How do you create your style and where do you draw your inspiration?​
I am inspired by fashion, architecture and nature. I am a visual person, my surroundings are my inspiration. ​

What is your favorite part of being a floral designer?​
Interacting with people and creating floral designs everyday.​

What advice would you give to aspiring floral designers?​
Be courageous, motivated ​and determined.

Tag Heuer at the Museum of Natural History

Do you offer any services in addition to floral designs?​
Yes, most of the time clients ask my opinion on many other topics. For example, about room decor, home ambiance ​and special events. You can see many examples in my book “Living Art”

What tool in your toolbox can’t you live without?​
Swiss Army Knife, Green Florescent (one of my favorite colors), cutter and a pair of scissors and waterproof floral tape. ​

Toni&Guy Hair Meet Wardrobe

Anything else you’d like to share with Flirty Fleurs followers?​
If you aspire to become a floral designer, ​you need to start and work for a good year in a floral design house so you can see if it is a career you are truly passionate about.

I am excited that L’Olivier is opening a new downtown ephemeral boutique at Brookfield Place. We are partnering with Dümmen Orange, a world leader in flower breeding and are featuring a new Brookfield “Grab and Go” collection as well as our Cuir Vegetal scented candle and gift set and Living Art.

L’OLIVIER BROOKFIELD POP-UP

Contact Information:
http://www.lolivier.com
https://www.instagram.com/lolivierfloralatelier/
https://www.facebook.com/LOlivierFlowers

J. Mendel, Madison Avenue

Martha Stewart Magazine

Care & Handling of Fresh Cut
Christmas Greens
Fresh cut Christmas greens are essential and traditional
ingredients in creating the ambience of the holiday season.
Fresh trees, wreaths, swags, and roping accent special places
both indoors and out, as reminders of the great outdoors.
Since greens are presumed to be tough, they are often
neglected. In all the wealth of care and handling
information, Christmas greens seem to be somewhat
overlooked. Actually, their general requirements are nearly
identical to other fresh cut flowers and foliage. When cared
for properly, their beauty can be prolonged.
1. Keep greens away from heat and sun.
2. Add water daily.
3. Increase humidty through misting.
4. Store greens in a cool place at night or when not enjoying them.
5. Replace greens before needle drop becomes too severe.
6. Use an anti-dessicant on the leaf or needle surface. (Prolong, Wilt Pruf)

Christmas Green Guide

Douglas Fir

Noble Fir

Silver Fir

Cone Cedar

Incense Cedar

Port Orford Cedar

Princess Pine

Juniper

Mountain Hemlock

Holly

Magnolia

What is your favorite Christmas Green?

This past week I’ve been experimenting with cut Poinsettias. I’ve had really good luck with them, in fact they are outlasting the roses in the flower arrangements!

Here’s one of the arrangements I designed –

I cut the poinsettias stems from the plant and placed them in a glass vase with fresh water, no flower food or anything else. I let stems drain the milky sap in the vase. Once they were done I placed the stems in the arrangement, I did not re-cut the stems!! The arrangement is on day 6 and the poinsettias are still going strong, it’s the sahara roses that are doing down!

I posted the pictures on Instagram and Facebook and a handful of people asked how to keep them alive. It got me to thinking and I talked to my friend Patty, of Brittany Flowers, why do designers struggle with keeping cut poinsettias alive? We came up with a very good question — how many people are making an arrangement with the poinsettias and then sticking the finished piece in the cooler?! Because right there is the problem — the cooler!!
Poinsettias are native to Mexico, they like it hot! It’s easy to forget what they like considering we see them at Christmas time and associate them with winter time. When a poinsettia plant is purchased from a store and carried to a car it should be covered with a bag to protect it from cold temperatures. The same goes for a cut stem, it needs to be protected from the cold — which means no coolers.

So there you have it, our theory on what kills the cut poinsettia.

We’d love to hear anyone else’s advice for designing with cut poinsettias!!

Hello dear flower friends,

Well, it is time for me to sign off for a few weeks and enjoy a Christmas vacation! I won’t be completely removed from the flower world and social media, surely will continue posting away on Instagram and Facebook!

A few notes for now ..
I did get a class scheduled in January. The Bridal Bouquet & Pricing Workshop is scheduled for January 24, 2016, this is one of my most popular classes and I did want to get it on the schedule soon due to popular request!

We are wrapping up the annual issue of the Flirty Fleurs Print Edition! We are almost there and will be releasing it any day — will for sure post the release on here and on social media.

Reminder — Florabundance Inspirational Design Days is scheduled for January 11-13, 2016 in Santa Barbara, California. Last I heard there are still a few spaces left, so sign up and join us for a flower filled time!!

Take care and I’ll see you back here in a couple of weeks!!
~Alicia

Dear Flower Friends,

We are beyond thrilled to share with you this second annual print edition of Flirty Fleurs! It has been such a privilege to put this issue together for you and we’ve loved every minute of it. Come along as we head to Detroit with Debra Prinzing, who introduces us to the amazing Flower House project; wander down south to Virginia to visit the ladies of Southern Blooms; jet over to Belgium to chat with Fleuropean; and explore the flowers of Paris with photographer Georgianna Lane. Incredible industry veterans Nancy Liu Chin, Alison Ellis, and Steve Moore inspire us with their straight talk and sage business advice. And we get to meet a few of an event designer’s best friends: Silk & Willow, Casa de Perrin, and La Tavola Linen. We couldn’t possibly call this issue complete without featuring a few of our favorite weddings and events from California, Mississippi, and Cabo San Lucas, and, of course, some of our favorite bridal bouquets! And if you’re anything like us, you’ll laugh out loud at the stories in Just For Laughs. So pour yourself a a cup of coffee or tea and settle in to spend some time with the amazing designs and designers in this issue. As always, we hope you’re inspired by the incredible work you see here, including our beautiful cover design by the one and only Janet Martineau of Floral Verde.

Team Flirty Fleurs In Print Edition:
Alicia Schwede of Flirty Fleurs/Bella Fiori as the Editor-in-Chief
Robyn Rissman of Bare Root Flora as the Content Editor
Kimberly Schwede of Kimberly Schwede Graphic Design as the Art Director

Recently I was surfing Facebook and came across this clever design by Scott of Stems Fleur in Cleveland, Ohio. Now, I’ve seen the one sided art piece with fresh flowers in the past, but what caught my eye with Scott’s piece is that it is two sided! Immediately I reached out to Scott and asked if he’d share his technique with Flirty Fleurs readers, and he said Yes! Thank you, Scott, for sharing your process with all of us — your two sided design is truly awesome!!

From Scott of Stems Fleur–
First step is to find a free, high quality black and white photo of a classical urn. You can also use a color photo of a painting or you can even manipulate the photo with color for more of a modern edge.

Decide how large you want the “painting” to be. With your image editing tools on your computer, resize the photo leaving enough space above for the fresh flowers.

Have two of these images printed and laminated (to protect it from dripping water)
Then mount each print out on to foam-core sheets.
Next you will have to cut out matching circles on each image (This is where the fresh arrangement will be installed)

Now it’s time to make the frame.
At your local home remodeling store you can find many styles of trim to choose from – it’s entirely up to you chose your favorite look. If you want a more classical look, chose a more ornate trim. If you want a clean modern feel, chose a trim without any embellishments.

You are now going to create two matching frames with the inside being ½ an inch smaller than the image you printed.

Both frames need to be “sandwiched” together with lumber, leaving enough room for a 2X4 and the two images mounted on foam core. See image below.

Paint the frame any color you choose. If you want classical, try a metallic and antique the finish. If you want a modern look, try a pop of bright color.

Once you slide the images in to their slots – screw a round platform to the 2X4 support which will hold the wet Oasis foam.

Be sure to tape down the foam strongly as you will be using many flower inserts.
If you want a more classical look, chose a variety of garden flowers. Try emulating the glorious old classic oil paintings when selecting your flowers. You could even add in draping fruit, pods and other greenery from your garden.

The finished product leaves people in awe, as they almost don’t believe their eyes!

Cheryl Ford Photography

Your name: Tess MacDonald
Your Business name: July Floral Design
Your Location: Seattle, WA

Cheryl Ford Photography

How did you start your business and how many years have you been in business?
While taking Landscape Design classes at a program in Portland OR, I found myself drawn to flower shops instead. I worked tirelessly with several local florists for a couple of wedding seasons, falling for the colors, fragrance and immediate beauty. Then motivated and inspired, I moved home to Seattle and started the business in 2011. Several of my family members are entrepreneurs and have given me insight into the tenacity it takes to start a business.

Katie Parra Photography

What is your design aesthetic and what inspires you?
The longer I do this, I find myself being drawn to less fussy, striking designs with form that lead the eye. Modern containers with clean, Northwest and wild floral.

What is your favorite part of being a floral designer?
I love the variety. Be it from the day to day tasks that keep me constantly checking my calendar, to the clients I work with and the sparkle in their eyes. The romance of wedding flowers and the sense of contribution in working with local organizations are equally satisfying.

Angela & Evan Photography

What is the most challenging aspect of being a floral designer?
Keeping design fresh. The wedding industry can get distracted with current trends, and it takes some effort and bravery to convince clients to think outside the box.

Belathee Photography

What advice would you give to aspiring floral designers?
To be patient and determined. It takes time to get to know flowers, how they respond to our touch. And it takes time to find your voice as a designer.

Jaylee Photography

What are the trends, flowers & colors that are unique to your region?
Currently I love white. In blooms, containers or walls to place a floral in front of. Perhaps it’s a great contrast to the evergreens of our region. The deep shibori blues, marsala of last summer and darker tones seem to be elevated by white.

Ryan Flynn Photography

What tool in your toolbox can’t you live without?
Ribbon scissors.

Katie Parra Photography

What’s your favorite Social Media platform and why?
Instagram. It’s simple, visual and chronological. No hidden algorithms that dictate what you see in your feed.

Angela & Evan Photography

Anything else you’d like to share with Flirty Fleurs followers?
I teach intimate floral design classes throughout the year. I really enjoy giving people the opportunity to gather around seasonal material, going over care techniques and basic design principles.

Your contact information, including links to social media accounts –
julyfloraldesign.com
instagram.com/julyfloral
pinterest.com/julyfloral

Angela & Evan Photography

Belathee Photography

Cheryl Ford Photography

The Bridal Bouquet Designing & Pricing Workshop

The Bridal Bouquet & Pricing Workshop is a hands-on workshop where you will learn how to design lush hand-tied bouquets.
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.
After we design a beautiful bridal bouquet we will have a discussion and learning session about pricing our designs. All instruction and fresh flowers are included, please bring your own tools.

Date: Sunday, January 24, 2016
Location: Floressence Design Studio, 5628 Airport Way S #240, Seattle, WA 98108
Time: 10am to 1pm
Investment: $250.00 per person
Register: HERE

Beautiful things often come in small packages! In this floral design class we will work on creating the little works of art that are boutonnieres and corsages! Solid mechanics are imperative for creating boutonnieres and corsages that will last a full wedding day. In this class I will share how to wire a variety of flowers, a fundamental floral technique. We will also review gluing techniques to create stylish, elegant corsages.

Would you like to learn more about designing corsages & boutonnieres? Then join us for this hands-on class where we practice the art of wearable flowers.

please note, this class is scheduled from noon to 2pm, but it does have a tendency to run long and may last up to three hours depending on the skill level of students

Date: Sunday, February 21, 2016
Location: Floressence Design Studio, 5628 Airport Way S #240, Seattle, WA 98108
Time: Noon to 2pm
Investment: $150.00 per person
Register: HERE

Hello Flower Friends!
I feel like I’m coming off a flower high from this past week in Santa Barbara for the fourth annual Florabundance Design Days! Once again the team at Florabundance blew the event out of the water! The first two days of the conference were held at a former Orchid greenhouse, fascinating place with fun nooks and crannies to take photos in. Plus, a cocktail hour that took place on the bluffs where we watched the sun go down! On the third day we moved the conference to Rincon Beach Club. The teachers this year included Hitomi Gilliam AIFD, Francoise Weeks, Holly Chapple, Susan McLeary, and Kim Curtis. OH, and me! I gave a presentation on Social Media.

Thought I’d share some photos here that I took over the 3 days. Sometimes I think I have as much fun taking photos as I do designing flowers!

I got to make two floral arrangements during the conference this year! Usually, I don’t make anything as I stay busy walking around visiting with everyone and photographing the days’ events. Eleanor of David Austin Roses asked if I could make up something for the blog, and I happily obliged! I loved making this centerpiece — as many David Austin Roses as I wanted! Plus, hellebores, blackberries and tinus viburnum.

Another pretty little bouquet that I got to put together for David Austin Roses.

A view of the students at work during Holly Chapple’s design session on creating large arrangements.

A close up of the gorgeous David Austin Roses and peonies that the students worked with during Holly Chapple’s design session.

Yoshi from Floral Fete waits to get her floral arrangement photographed by Meg Sorel

Holly Chapple’s design session of floral centerpieces was the first session of the conference. Here’s a line-up of 4 arrangements made by the students.

Mindy Rosenberg designing a large floral arrangement with gorgeous David Austin garden roses!

Irene of Academy Florist works on her arrangement.

All the students’ work was photographed by professional photographers – so great for their portfolios!

Not sure who designed this arrangement, but it sure looks pretty at the entrance of the greenhouse!

Heather of Eclectic Sage and Maggie of Bramble and Bee

Tracey of Ella and Louie

Amy of BRIGHT flowers and events with her design

Oh, and at one point during the conference Holly setup this table for a photoshoot – Joost took the opportunity to have a seat at the table!

Holly Chapple enjoying the California lifestyle.

Check out our cute School Bus ride, love the hashtag on the side of the bus!

Most amazing sunset while we stood on the bluffs and watched the sun go down.

Oh my goodness, I have so many photos — better split them up into a few posts! I’ll be back tomorrow with some images of bridal bouquets and other goodies!
~Alicia

Hello again!
Yes, I have more photos from Florabundance Design Days 2016 to share with you today! Let’s start with the images that I took during Kim’s (of Toast) design session, and some closeups of the flowers we got to design with last week!
If you like blush and cream colored flowers you will love today’s post!

I could stare at this Ranunculus for hours!
Perfect.

Katie Noonan AIFD designing a bridal bouquet.

Jose of Florabundance sharing a laugh with Nancy of Destiny Hill Farm

Bouquet designed by Tracey of Ella and Louie

Katie of Mac’s Floral designed this bouquet

These roses! Cluster roses, I believe..

Karen of De Bloem

Katalin Green and her bridal bouquet. Katalin and I had a good time playing around with photography and the greenhouse backdrop!

I’m not sure which image of Katalin is my favorite, it might be this one.

Edgy? that’s what we were going for!

PEONIES!! big, poofy, peonies!

These blush ranunculus were HUGE! Perfect blush!

Sheryl of Thistle and Bone with her blush bridal bouquet

This rose is gorgeous. Unfortunately, I cannot remember its name and I am trying to find out from Florabundance what it is!!

Tomorrow I will share the photographs from Francoise and Susan’s design sessions. See you tomorrow!
~Alicia

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Francoise Weeks and Susan McLeary of Passionflower led a design session titled ‘Artful Purses & Two Takes on Botanical Jewelry’. The pieces that the students created were truly pieces of art!
That’s what I love about Florabundance Design Days, the variety in programs and the variety of instructors!

The crew with their botanical jewelry!

Botanical purses designed by Francoise Weeks

Botanical Purse designed by BJ Dyer

Kathy and Sarah of Consider the Lilies with their botanical jewelry

and then they have a good laugh after their serious portrait .. LOL

Alyse with her killer botanical necklace and her wristlet corsage.

Alyse of Crimson & Clover Floral Design with her red garden rose necklace

Katalin Green with her floral necklace.

Maria of Niche Events gets creative using a coffee cup as her corsage holder!

Corsage designed by Robin Wood Flowers

Designed by Mindy Karl of Katalin Green Flowers

Plum tulips and white hellebores for the design session with Francoise Weeks’

So creative, right?!
Tomorrow we’ll continue being creative with Hitomi Gilliam AIFD! Wait until you see what the students created on the last day of Florabundance Design Days!

The final day of Florabundance Design Days 2016 was spent with an intense creative session with Hitomi Gilliam AIFD. Hitomi led the students in creating 11 different flower backdrops, hanging installations, and chandeliers!! Was fabulous to walk around and see what the teams were creating!

Hitomi checking on the work of team gloriosa

Katie Noonan AIFD adding gloriosa to the hanging installation

Olivia working on the garden rose backdrop, it really looked like a rambling backdrop of wild roses!

A garden rose backdrop

Hitomi admiring the work on the students

Joost gets in on the chandelier creating!

Maria from Niche Events adding delphinium to a chandelier.

Stacey Carlton AIFD adding the gloriosa into the design

Rebecca Raymond wiring water tubes for a floral chandelier

Stacey Carlton AIFD with Francoise Weeks discussing mechanics, of course!

Another ceremony backdrop with a nice garden feel.

Holland taking a moment to stop and smell the flowers.

I hope you all enjoyed the week long re-cap of Florabundance Design Days! I had a great time taking photos and capturing designers in their element!

Juliet and Edith David Austin Garden Roses