Florist Spotlights - Bloomin' Blog

Big Congrats – FSN Member Florist Wins 2013 Houston Cup

May 1, 2013 by Juli Jackson 1 Comment

Big congratulations to Rebecca Sherman, AIFD in taking home the 2013 Houston Cup! Rebecca is a floral design artist with The Blooming Idea in The Woodlands, Texas, and a 20 year veteran of the floral industry.

The Houston Cup is an annual floral design competition for the members of Allied Florists of Houston. The winner of the Houston Cup advances to the preliminary phase of the Texas State Florists Association‘s prestigious Texas Cup Competition.

From the Allied Florist of Houston:

“…the competition featured 10 professional floral designers in this year’s Great Gatsby themed competition. Each person brought 1 Interpretative Design following the Great Gatsby theme and during the hands on competition completed a floral wedding bouquet and a surprise package arrangement of a large arrangement for a grand foyer for a party. Grading is completed by a panel of 3 top rated floral Judges based on the principles and elements of design.”

With F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Great Gatsby at the heart of the competition, decadent beauty abounded in all the contestants designs. Flowing feathers, lush greens, dramatic textures and delicate blooms reflected the glitz and glamour of the roaring ’20s and made for opulent results. Visit The Blooming Idea’s Facebook page for more great photos.

The Blooming Idea has been a FSN member for 13 years and we are very proud of Rebecca for winning this prestigious award. Her fabulous creative designs, inspired by the Great Gatsby theme, are truly breath-taking.

Best of luck at the upcoming Texas Cup Competition!

Photos courtesy of The Blooming Idea, The Woodlands, Texas

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows, Florist Spotlights, Florists Only Tagged With: Allied Florists of Houston, Floral Design, Floral Industry News, Florist Spotlights, Florists Conventions, Houston Cup, Texas Florists

Florist Spotlight: Flowerama, Ft. Collins CO

January 9, 2013 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

FSN recently had the pleasure of talking to Jim Endicott, owner of Flowerama in Ft. Collins CO, about how they keep their customers happy and coming back for more.

What does your flower shop do best?

“Customer service and attention to each customer. We are a smaller shop so that’s kind of where our niche is. We try to provide product that’s a little different than the average shop, especially in our dish gardens and gift lines. Customers have come to expect a wide variety of items to shop for in our store: from plush to candles, dish gardens to other little gift items. We try to select things that you wouldn’t find in a big box or grocery store.”

Do your customers respond to this?

“We think so, mainly because they can’t find them anyplace else. For instance, our garden flags and spinners from Premiere Kites. We’re the only one in the area that carries those products. And when we carry it, we like to have a good selection.”

The Creative Process Of Local Florist – Blossom Shop

November 20, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Take a peek inside the creative mind of a florist as they design something truly unique for a special someone. This is a story shared with us by Blossom Shop in Strasburg CO.

I got a wire order over the phone from another flower shop. I was pleasantly surprised to get a very good budget for a sympathy arrangement and no specifics other than they would like a nice fall arrangement if you can do that otherwise…

So I got to thinking, I wanted to do several matching pieces, something really large in a basket. I just knew I wanted it to be creative, but not something they might dislike being too interesting.

Getting Inspiration

So I took a tour of my shop a few times, front and back, to see what sizes and different containers that I might want to use. Some of my best-liked arrangements come from me finding something I can’t seem to get rid of (container wise) and making it beautiful with flowers. So I found these square wreath forms that I’ve yet to sell; one, because they have structure in the middle for placing a picture or something of the like, and two, they are a big size. I have yet to convince anyone to let me customize the center or pay enough so I could do something “interesting”.

So I grabbed one on those bad boys and got the wheels spinning. I used the leaf-looking ribbon to cover the back. To make that interesting I wove 10 lengths of that ribbon and covered all that maché and the center structure. After soaking it I laid it flat to start my designing.

Bringing It All Together

I covered the center structure with fall-colored, preserved leaves. Then I did the four corners, each with a different type of green to add interest, and then filled in with beautiful fall flowers. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Floral Design, Florist Spotlights, Funeral Flowers Tagged With: Colorado Florists, Floral Design, Florist Spotlights, Florist Stories, Sympathy Flowers

Local Florist Celebrates 65 Years

June 14, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Flowers By Mary Lou in Springfield IL

Big congratulations to the team at Flowers By Mary Lou in Springfield IL who are celebrating their 65th anniversary! (That’s 5 years longer than the Queen’s recent Diamond Jubilee!)

Flowers by Mary Lou was founded in 1947, and just why have they lasted so long?

“Because we take care of our customers,” says Jennifer Veith, designer at Flowers by Mary Lou. “People appreciate that. They appreciate when you go above and beyond and try to get special things for them or give them the special touches or do the specific things they ask, whether it’s a casket spray for a funeral, a wedding or even a new baby. People appreciate that you take the time to take care of them and treat them like an actual person instead of somebody that’s faceless.”

Florists on Facebook – Friday Recap

March 30, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell 2 Comments

Florists were all about bright and cheery spring colors this week on Facebook this week. For those who don’t know, Flower Shop Network is THE place to be on Facebook for florists. Florists from all across the nation posts pictures of their favorite arrangements created every single week. We love them so much, we started posting them in a recap a few weeks ago. Well, let’s get to the pictures!

By Crossroads Florist in Mahwah, NJ. “Tropic Dreams Bamboo frames outline each arrangement. Green cymbidium orchids perched above are visually connected to the base by strands of steel grass. This florascape would be great as a focal point on a buffet table at a poolside party. Where else could a arrangement like this be used?”

—

By Sassy Flowers in Rexburg, ID. “Wanted to share this fun piece we did for a bridal shower over the weekend!”

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Floral Design, Florist Spotlights Tagged With: Facebook Friday, Florist Spotlights

3 Tips To Keep Your Flower Shop In The Spotlight

January 4, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Business is competitive by nature. For florists, every opportunity to stay in the spotlight is crucial. Staying on your customer’s minds will keep them, and their friends, coming back for more. Here are a few ideas for florists to showcase their talents in their own communities.

Host Open Houses

Stay in the Spotlight Think of great door prizes, interesting themes and other fun activities guests can enjoy while in your shop. Take this opportunity to showcase a wide range of designs throughout your shop. Let your visitors know just what’s possible by your talented staff. Introduce them to unusual and unique flowers available.

Have a Ladies Night – Go wild and crazy with creativity. Have everyone dress up and wear their biggest derby hat and let them decorate them with flowers, then have a tea party. Or maybe keep it simple and just serve favorite desserts and delicious fruity drinks.

Teach floral design classes – Open up your shop to new students from your community — host a floral design class! DIY is so trendy these days, creatives won’t be able to pass it up! At Helena Florist in Helena AL, they host a Sips & Snips class, where guests can bring their favorite beverage and make their own, personal flower arrangement. Helena Florist provides all the necessary floral accessories for a particular design, and guests sip and snip the night away and take home their fabulous flower arrangement. The cost of the class is the same as the arrangement normally. Guests have a ton of fun with flowers, and show off their arrangement to all their friends. Adapt this idea to work for your shop. You might teach a class for children, or a themed class for a holiday. It’s all up to you! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Floral Design, Florists Only, Marketing Tips Tagged With: Florist Spotlights, Local Florists, Local Flower Shops, Marketing Tips

Flowers For Food At Posey Peddler

August 30, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

“Two Sundays ago, in our church bulletin was an announcement saying the Jonesboro Women’s Shelter was in dire need for food. That they were full to capacity with women and children and they needed help.” That is when Bridgette Arnold of Posey Peddler in Jonesboro, AR decided to take action.

Bridgette and her staff started a Flowers For Food program in their shop. For a bag of (10) groceries, customers received a bouquet of roses. “Food isn’t something they should have to think about, in this great country we have. And flowers are such a beautiful thing, and sometimes that can motivate someone to do something they normally wouldn’t have,” says Bridgette.

Posey Peddler - Florist Food Drive

“There’s just no reason for us to have hungry children here in Jonesboro, Arkansas. We are too blessed and too profitable.” She says she started the food drive because it’s the right thing to do.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Florist Spotlights Tagged With: Florist Spotlights, Florists Achievements

Happy Anniversary Blooms A Million

July 29, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

We just got invited to a really cool event in Pensacola. Our good florist friend, Rodney, at Blooms A Million is celebrating his shop’s one year anniversary with a very exciting celebration!

To thank those who have helped make the shop a success, Blooms A Million is hosting a big party for their customers and friends. There will be hor d’oeuvres, door prizes, and 25% off your purchases during the time of the party.

The Blooms A Million event will be August 2nd from 4:00-7:00 P.M.
Target & Publix Shopping Center
1765 East Nine Mile Road Ste 6, Pensacola, Fl 32514.

If you are in the area, stop by this Pensacola flower shop and enjoy the party! No R.S.V.P. required!

We think this is a FANTASTIC idea for florists to open their doors and celebrate their shops along with their customers. Great job guys and

CONGRATULATIONS ON ONE SUCCESSFUL YEAR!

Filed Under: Florist Spotlights Tagged With: Florist Spotlights, Pensacola Florist

Southern Florist Recaps Biggest Floral Event of the Year – AIFD’s National Symposium

July 19, 2011 by Flower Shop Network Leave a Comment

Written by member florist, Shirley Carmack of Shirley’s Florist in Birmingham AL:

I have not been home from AIFD Symposium in San Francisco a week, and my head is spinning from the magnificent floral displays presented! Being a “white knuckle” flyer, it was a pretty big deal for me to get on a plane and fly across the United States to attend this — my first AIFD Symposium. I can not describe the excitement I was feeling by attending this event!

The theme of symposium this year was all about 60’s Flower Power. I am old enough that I actually lived through this era as a young teenager. The hotel, every restaurant, walkway, doorway, you name it was covered in flowers! Flowers were inside bookcases, stairwells, landings — even the back wall of the check-in desk was covered in foliage and anthuriums! I have honestly never seen anything like it.

The first reception I attended, everyone was dressed in 60’s hippie garb. Tie dyed T-shirts and pants, denim and leather jackets complete with fringe, bell bottom pants, and flowers, literally everywhere. I was dressed in jeans, tie dyed T-shirt, leather sandals and peace sign earrings. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows, Floral Design, Florist Spotlights, Trends Tagged With: AIFD National Symposium, Florist Spotlights, Local Florists

Local Florists Help Make Miss America’s Dreams Come True

March 1, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell 1 Comment

Here she comes… Miss America!

For the last two years, Faith Lough and her team at We Luv Flowers in Las Vegas, Nevada have designed the bouquets and flower arrangements for the Miss America pageant. “It’s exciting, very fun and very thrilling” she says.

We Luv Flowers is a real, LOCAL florist. “We have a small staff. It’s very intimate and quaint. When you call here, if you’re talking to me, chances are the next time you call, you’re going to get me again.”

So just how did a small-time florist get involved in this national event?

“They try to choose local florists for the pageant. It was exciting for us. Getting to go to Planet Hollywood and meeting everybody, after all the weeks and months leading up to it. You’re talking to everybody on the phone in the planning, so going down to meet everyone was exciting. They’re already talking about using us again next year.

They were very satisfied. They said they’ve never had flowers look so beautiful.”

“Last year, we did just the bouquets. This year we did: 85 centerpieces for a dinner, vase arrangements for the host, arrangements for the dressing rooms, arrangements for former Miss Americas, and arrangements for the parents luncheons.”

Faith and her team used classic red roses as their focal flower throughout their designs. Miss American traditionally always gets 24 red roses. “We used 4 foot freedom roses for Miss America’s bouquet. It was a huge! It’s a once in a lifetime event for her, so she deserves to have something special.”

At We Luv Flowers, they believe all of their customers are just as special. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a 40$ baby arrangement or a 400$ designer arrangement. I’m going to put the same personalized touches into both. It’s all about giving great customer service and making sure every arrangement that goes out the door looks it’s best.

We all try to pay great attention to detail and make sure every arrangement gets that individual touch and personalized service they are looking for. We always give extra value. If you order a 60$ arrangement it always looks like its 75$, customer service is the number one thing.”

It doesn’t matter if you’re Miss America, or Miss Smith from down the street, We Luv Flowers treats all of their customers like they are one in a million.

This post is brought to you by Flower Shop Network, your source for finding real, local florists.

Filed Under: Florist Spotlights Tagged With: Floral Design, Florist Spotlights, Nevada Florists