Flowers seem like such a natural extension of services as an artist. It’s just another wonderful medium and to be honest, the flowers do almost all the work.
I am a dabbler by nature. If it’s creative, I will try it! When my oldest was in high school, I remember going to the local florist to order a corsage for his date. Typical of me, I looked at the options and thought, I can do better than this! Everything was all bows, a poor assortment of flowers, and so expensive! No way- no how! One trip to the store, one click on Amazon, and I had all the essentials to make the greatest corsages and boutonnieres for Winter Formal. I enjoyed it so much I offered his friends to make theirs and before I knew what had happened, I had found a niche in our community.
I wanted to make sure I was not offering what our local florist were offering out of the thick binder on a counter. Instead, I asked clients to send me photos of the dress or tie so I could coordinate it just right. I purchased local roses but used greens and herbs from my ever-changing garden including all the herbs; thyme, rosemary, sage, and lavender. I LOVED it SO MUCH! It felt like such artistry, pairing simple singular stems from the garden to make the most delicate but stylized mini bouquets. Each different, unique and tailor-made to compliment the whole look.
In honor of my new small venture, I began to plant anything and everything I could that would be perfect for these small little bouquets. I love watching things come and go! Have you ever really checked out Pineapple Guava? The tree produces the most amazing flowers and when they come, I literally get giddy! Besides that, I should mention, they also offer the wonderful fruit, but I will admit, I am partial to the flowers. So if you need advice on a cutting garden, I have all the right plants but mainly for mini cuttings!
Obviously, with COVID, the need for corsages sadly is tabled until further notice. Coming to grips I needed to supplement my expected income for Prom flowers, I came up with doing small bouquets, AKA posies, for Mother’s Day. WOW! I would never have imagined it would be such a success! I posted on Instagram & Facebook a couple of times, hoping to get a few orders. I remember going to sleep one night with just a hand full of orders and then waking up to over 100 orders. We were on lock down though and so, “how do you find extra hands to hire?” I marked all my posts as “SOLD OUT,” and then did what any smart business woman would do, I called mom (She always comes to the rescue). Mom came (of course) and to stay safe we worked on opposite sides of the garage, masks on and arranged flowers day and night! All orders were completed and I was able to spend Mother’s Day just how I wanted; with my family, in my PJ’s enjoying a mimosa to celebrate.
Since Mother’s Day, things have certainly evolved. I have had the honor to create arrangements for all sorts of intimate events such as birthdays, teacher appreciations, anniversaries, sympathy and even funeral flowers to be tossed to sea. Flowers rightfully celebrate milestones and though we are not hosting events like we used to, flowers remain a beautiful way to still mark our special moments as we wait for normalcy to resume. Until then, my sweet cutting garden, Pineapple Guava included, will patiently wait and grow in hopes to be part of a Prom once again.
Pineapple Guava flower & Red Rose Corsage