Industry Events

Imagine a walk in the middle of the woods that is lit with nothing but thousands of candles, a beautiful Michigan autumn evening and over 30 professionally made large scale floral designs created by designers from all over the United States. Now stop imagining and pencil in the date to attend ‘Suspension’, this years theme of the 2014 AIFD North Central Chapter‘s Nature’s Creative Edge, September 19-21, 2014. You can find all the information at this LINK and show them support on the Nature’s Creative Edge Facebook page.

Nature’s Creative Edge is a one of a kind public awareness event hosted by the AIFD North Central Chapter to raise funds for floral industry education September 19 through September 21, 2014. As a designer of the last 4 years I enjoy every year more and more as this is a floral event for refueling your creativity and bringing back your center. Every designer should experience this event as it is one of the few events that is all about you in the woods creating something beautiful for the world to see without any major stress, few requirements and a plethora of world class designers all around you.

This event is hosted on the property of Bob Friese AIFD in the beautiful Fruitport, MI woods. You are parked in a a field then loaded on to a bus which takes you to the depths of the woods to be welcomed into the woods by an AIFD member and directed down a wood chip path all lined with thousands of candles. It is a night of dreaming, fantasy, professionally executed designs and beauty. As you walk down the path experiencing each design you have many opportunities to actually meet the designer and discuss their designs and thought when it came to creating their designs. Get ready for one of the best themes yet as this year for ‘Suspension’ all the designs have to be elevated in the air no closer than 6 inches to the ground.

Chandelier Designed By James Lutke, Picture Property of A. Carmolli

The other great part of the night to be known is that the designers have donated their time, the flowers have been provided, and all the support from the community is for the cause of raising money for education. It’s this that makes this night of floral magic worth every second, knowing you are part of keeping floral education and the floral industry strong for a bright future. My other favorite part of this wonderful event is the army of designers and helpers that makes this event happen. It is always great to see how people come together and give so much of themselves for such a great cause, it makes your soul warm and makes you want to get involved that much more.

Design by Jim Rauch AIFD, CFD, CF, Picture Property of A. Carmolli

All are welcome to attend and designers are always welcome to assist in designs or creating their own exhibit. The public and designers can contact Alice Waterous AIFD, CF, CFD, PFCI or the Nature’s Creative Edge facebook page with any questions or comments. Make your best effort to attend this once in a lifetime event as you will not find anything such as this display of design anywhere else in the world.

I had the honor of chairing the Texas Cup competition at the 100 Year Celebration of the Texas State Florists’ Association‘s annual convention in Austin, Texas on July 18th, 2014. I came straight from my computer and finding out that I passed my PFDE Exam in Chicago and was asked to be a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers so there was no stopping this girl, so I knew the weekend was going to ROCK!

Upon arriving in Austin I had found that my flowers, generously sponsored by American Agro in Dallas, Texas, had arrived and were waiting for me, and oh how beautiful they were! The flowers I chose were lime green cymbidiums, orange and yellow roses, bells of Ireland, yellow lilies, much more fresh along with a large beautiful succulent plant and a variety of awesome greens, mosses and cool wire from Smithers-Oasis.

The contestants were aware that they would be bringing a prop to fit in the theme of the event, “The Spectrum of Design.. Treasured Memories – Future Vision”, they had $50.00 that they could spend on their prop and could do no advanced design work on it. They also knew they would be doing a wedding design and a surprise situation design.

We had a 5pm pre-competition meeting to inspect props, tools and where the designers could ask any questions they may have had and then were dismissed for 15 minutes before the dinner program started. The show featured Kevin Ylvisaker AIFD, CAFA, he put on an awesome program of how designs have changed over the decades, I unfortunately was busy with the Texas Cup preparations and was unable to see the show but I heard it was amazing. Kevin has a huge personality and shines when he is on stage, so I’m sure it was amazing!

The Texas Cup Crowd

Directly after Kevin’s show we had 15 minutes to set up and the competition began as the audience from Kevin’s show, 167 people in attendance, were served coffee and dessert as they watched the competitors. The first design was the interpretive design and the designers were allotted 45 minutes to complete this design. As I walked around the room I saw some of the first time contestants using ALL of their flowers in their first design, so being a first-timer at chairing I walked around the room nervously and loudly saying, “These are all the flowers you will be receiving”. LOL I truly didn’t know what else to do to give them some sort of chance to remove some of the flowers.

The second design was a wedding bouquet that the designers were given 40 minutes to complete and it went off without a hitch.

Now for the Surprise Package…. the contestants were asked to leave the room and step outside for 10 minutes while we set up for the surprise portion, at this time we brought in 20 easels and 20 Smither-Oasis 18″ square and round funeral wreaths. Under their desk I had placed a manila envelope that included the surprise package situation and a photograph of a deceased past president of the Texas State Florists’ Association, the designers were instructed to use the oasis wreath and they had to incorporate the frame into the design to honor the presidents of the past that have paved the way for our floral association to be what it is today, one of the strongest and innovative in the country.

Texas Cup Honorable Mention Debbie Lyon Designing Her Surprise Piece

With many groans and dirty looks being directed at me I knew the posted allotted time of 20 minutes was unreasonable so I added another 10 minutes to the time and they were off and designing. At this time it was 8:30pm approaching 9pm and the judging was underway. That 30 minutes went by extremely fast and some of the contestants are only just now forgiving me for the surprise situation and some may never forgive me, but it was a surprise design. The designers did honor the past and came through as the true designers that they are and made it happen in 30 minutes, I am so proud of all the designers.

Texas Cup Third Place Josh Anderson Designing His Surprise Package

Now it’s 9pm and the judges are working hard behind the curtains, the judges worked from 8:30pm to 1:30am before emerging with a winner of the competition. My judges were Debbie Gordy AIFD, Susan Tate AIFD and Dov E. Kupfer AIFD who is also a certified American Institute of Floral Designers judge so all of my judges were extremely qualified to do the job and it was not an easy task with 20 contestants and 60 designs to judge before they emerged with a winner.

Texas Cup 2nd Place Nora Cisneros Designing Her Surprise Piece

In the end Sheri Jentsch TMF of Blumen Meisters Flower Shop in New Braunsfels, Texas was the first place winner, Nora Cisneros of Flowers of Kingwood in Kingwood, Texas was the 2nd runner-up with Josh Anderson of James Madison High School in San Antonio, Texas receiving third place. Honorable mention went to Debbie Lyon of Hubble and Hudson Bistro in The Woodlands, Texas and Luke Harwell of Baack Flowers in Abilene, Texas.

I want to thank all of those that helped me get through this experience, being my first chairing experience I had a few Uh Oh’s but we all got through it and I have learned a few valuable lessons for next year. This was one of the most successful Texas Cup Competitions in many years and I am very proud of all the contestants that stepped up and put their hearts and designs on the line to be judged by others. It’s never an easy thing to do, but when you win it is life changing and the most awesome feeling in the world. The sense of accomplishment for all your hard work is acknowledged and you can’t take that away!

Even though the 2014 PFDE Candidates will have the shortest wait time of any PFDE Candidates, it’s is still a stressful 2 weeks. So we have decided to give you some activities to help tick those seconds by while you’re not working and so that you don’t break your mouse clicking the refresh button.

Stress Eat!

Try some of these healthy and not so healthy recipes!
Cooking takes up chunks of time and has a prize at the end if you follow the instructions.

Baileys Irish Cream Fruit Dip

Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

Strawberry Fields Salad

Herbed Potato Salad

Grilled Chicken Breast with Spicy Peach Glaze

Pulled Pork

Tart Cherry Cake

Grilled Plums with Spiced Walnut Yogurt Sauce

Meditate and Relax

Take the time to breath not just to wait for your results but to help reduce all the other stress going on.

Bubble Bath - If you are not one for sitting in water then go for a slow swim.
Read - Be inspired by a fashion trend or go on an adventure and save the princess.
Get Business Paperwork Done - Turn on some tunes and zone out into the world of paperwork. Those proposals won't write themselves.
Learn A New Skill - Knitting, Crochet, Basket Weaving, really what ever calls to you.

Be Active

Getting outside after work or on the weekends can help pass the time and can also be good for your body.

Take The Kids To The Zoo or Museum - If you don't have kids borrow some since there is nothing better than educating the youth of the world.
Go For A Picnic - You can prepare your picnic yourself or the grocery store has everything ready made for you.
Run, Jog, or Bike - A body in motion stays in motion and you can spend the whole time counting how many times you could have clicked your email refresh button.
Camping - Get away from your electronics so that when you get back home it is a wonderful surprise.
Throw a Summer Party - You'll be so stressed about the food, decor and entertainment you won't have any time to worry about your results.

No matter how you are dealing with the waiting, Floral.today is so proud of all the those that took the American Institute of Floral Designers, Professional Floral Design Evaluation. It is these people that are the future of our industry and what will be the backbone for our industry. Good luck to everybody and no matter the outcome, always remember that you are that much closer to your dreams.

What is ‘Blooms Over Chicago’ and how can I get Involved? Well lucky you asked because the lovely Stacey Carlton AIFD, CFD, Blooms Over Chicago Chairperson, has just the answer for you. Check out the article on behalf of the American Institute of Floral Designers and the radiant Mrs. Carlton and then see how you can get involved! For all the other area’s involving volunteering at the AIFD Symposium contact Volunteer Coordinator Co-Chairs Laura Parker AIFD (laura_parker821@yahoo.com) or Carolyn Clark Kurek AIFD (coralcay2@aol.com) with any of your questions.

Floral Designers to Spread Cheer in Chicago

BALTIMORE (July 2014) – Eye catching hand-tied floral bouquets, uplifting floral arrangements, and smiles that only flowers can create. This is what certain residents and visitors to Chicago will experience when the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) rolls into town July 3-7 for their 2014 National Symposium “Transition Transformation” taking place at the Hilton Chicago. As part of this event, members and volunteers of the floral industry’s leading non- profit organization dedicated to the art of floral design will be spreading floral cheer through AIFD’s public service event “Blooms Over Chicago.”

Starting on July 5 and ongoing until the end of Symposium, numerous volunteers will be working hard to spread as much floral cheer through Chicago as they can. On Saturday, July 5, at both Columbia College Chicago and Cloud Gate in Millennium Park, AIFD volunteers will host a “pedestrian pop-up bouquet giveaway.” This event will feature designers distributing hand-tied floral bouquets to pedestrians. The bouquets will each have a #blooms sticker adorned to them to encourage sharing photos of them on social media. On July 6 and 7, volunteers will head to the Ronald McDonald House and the Unity Hospice to set up beautiful floral arrangements throughout the respective locations and hand out bouquets to employees, staff and patients.

“We are taking a unique approach with this project this year,” explained Stacey Carlton AIFD, CFD, Blooms Over Chicago chairperson. “We wanted to warm each space up and showcase AIFD's design talents with some beautifully crafted custom arrangements. We also wanted to spread some cheer in the form of bouquets for the hardworking employees and staff and for the patients,” she said.

The Blooms Over program is an event that is held during the AIFD Symposium, an annual event where floral designers from all over the world gather to share the latest trends in floral design. Symposium features floral design education programs presented by industry experts, networking events and exclusive social events. Registration is open to all floral industry professionals. More information, including registration, is available at http://aifd.org/upcoming-events/2014symposium/.

Though those of us that are taking on the AIFD Professional Floral Design Evaluation this coming Tuesday have been informed multiple times on what tools are allowed, there are still some of us that are confused. So join floral.today as we pack our tools according to the AIFD Guidelines so there can be no question. We will also enlighten you on what we have been told pertaining to music in the testing area so stay tuned for that.

First we have started off by identifying our tools. We use nail polish some part of our tool that is very obvious and is very clear to see. 

Here are few other ways other's mark their tools:

- Writing your name or initials with permanent marker
- Adding a ribbon or pipe cleaner
- A full set of one particular color
- Painting the tips or ends a distinct color as we have done.


What is allowed according to the rules:

- Floral Knife
- Pruner
- Ribbon Shears/Scissors
- Wire Cutter
- Needle Nose Plier

1 Scissor, 1 Pruner, 1 Wire Cutter, 1 Jewelry Plier, 1 Floral Knife
THIS IS ALL THAT IS ALLOWED

YOU CAN NOT SHARE OR BARTER ANY TOOLS OR MATERIALS!

Some objects of debate or questioned have been:

- Towel
- Music Players (Ipods, Phones, MP3s)
- Glue
- Extra Water
- Extra Foam

Here are the answers I've received, if you question it than avoid it since it isn't on the list. However here are some suggestions to cover some of the none products on the list. It was suggested to us to wear an old sweatshirt as it may be cold and if you spill water and towels are not allowed, you can clean up any spilled water off your table. Other than creating your five professionally executed designs you are expected to have an immaculate table when the time is called.

On the topic of music we music players, Ipods and MP3 players, are only allowed if they have no camera's or communication compatibility. So if it plays music and only music than you should be fine. We will be using a Ipod Nano 6th Generation that has music and a timer. Our Ipod will be held in a Hex rubber watch band that keeps it on my wrist and everything out of my way while I design. These can both be found on amazon.com and multiple other electronic sites. There is also the newer Ipod nano and shuffle available at all apple stores.

Ipod Nano 6th Generation In HEX Watch Band (Headphones not shown but they do go into the side of the watch to listen to timers and music.

For all those with questions of extra foam water or access to glue pans or extra glue.  There will never be any guarantee that there will be extra anything. Plan accordingly so you have clean water to the side, and plan your foam ahead of time so you know what you will have for backup just incase of any issues. 

Apron rolled out completely

This can fit easily into any gap in your suitcase. Along with this, if your flying, place a letter stating that your attending the American Institute of Floral Designers National Symposium and these tools are for your national certification exam on top of your tools so that if it’s stopped by security after being checked-in they can better understand why you are traveling with tools. You will have a better chance of not having you tools getting taken away or your luggage missing when you arrive.

This is what we will be taking to the Examination Check-In area to be approved before the exam.

1 Ipod Nano in Hex Watch Band (Headphones Not Shown), 1 Sweatshirt, 1 Floral Knife, 1 Jewelry Plier, 1 Wire Cutter, 1 Pruner, 1 Scissor

Be prepared for anything so that any design can be altered in the blink of an eye, if a vase breaks, or stems break, your foam falls apart or a different design falls and is damaged you are ready for it. Try and keep a level head as it will be easy to loose yourself and your time along with it. If at anytime anything happens, step back from your table take a deep breath, count to ten and get back to work. Just don’t stop and above everything, don’t you dare give up until that time is called because you never what greatness can still happen. Floral.today is excited for all the of the designers taking the step to further their career. It takes a lot of confidence and personal education to take the AIFD PFDE so we wish you all luck and hope you achieve all that you set out for in your career.

From winning competitions to creating breath taking floral gown, Joe Massie always seems to have been put on this earth to wow us! This week floral.today is super excited as Touchwood and Joseph Massie have written a great article, A “Touch Of Chelsea : A Floral Couture Installment’ for you, our viewers, to enjoy. Check out the article and make sure to see all the pictures of the installment below!

JOSEPH MASSIE
A 'TOUCH OF CHELSEA' : A FLORAL COUTURE INSTALLATION

Floral fans were in for a treat yesterday afternoon when floral maverick Joseph Massie unveiled his unique twist on the Chelsea Flower Show on Thursday 22nd, May for Touchwood. Focusing more ‘horti-couture” than horticulture, the Midlands leisure and retail centre played host to artist and designer Joseph Massie (26) who created and exquisite dress made entirely from fresh flowers for TV’s Made In Chelsea star Rosie Fortescue to reveal.

Helping to showcase the summer’s biggest trend of floral fashions, five-time RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold medal award winner Joseph Massie hand-made the stunning gown for TV star and fashion blogger Rosie to unveil. Taking over 25 man hours to craft, the guests visiting the centre between 4pm and 8pm on the 22nd had the opportunity to meet with and chat to Rosie, and to be photographed with Joseph and the unique ‘horti-culture’ creation.

Created with thousands of fresh blooms and standing in SITU for five days, the floral couture installation contains a diverse mix of floral materials in a riot of summer colour. The majority of floral materials included within the floral couture installation were sponsored by a collective of growers under the luxury LM Flower Fashion banner including:

Phalaenopsis from Walter Grootscholten

Vanda from Anco Pure Vanda

Chrysanthemum from Zentoo Chrysanthemums

Sweet and Pearl Avalanche from Meijer Roses

Gloriosa, Eryngium, Clematis and Asclepia from Marginpar

Joseph comments: “It’s always a great pleasure and privilege to collaborate with brands on installations ~ especially during Chelsea week when there is such a wonderful abundance of gorgeous floral materials to work with and the whole country is talking about flowers. With this piece, we’re focusing on a luxurious riot of both colour and texture ~ combining bright contrasting hues against a palette of nudes, creams and pale blues. I’ve a feeling it will be a very special piece, and I can’t wait to unveil it to the public.”

Rosie comments: “I was thrilled to be asked to be part of such and exciting project. Floral is such a huge trend this year, and Joseph’s fresh flower couture creation offered a truly unique way to showcase the style. The dress itself is absolutely stunning and I would encourage anyone who hasn’t already done so to pop down to Touchwood to see it for themselves.”

Lucy Burnett, marketing manager at Touchwood, adds: “Our stunning floral creation proved a huge success with our guests and brought a real sense of fun to summer fashion. Floral is the season’s must have print so we thought what better way to highlight what’s on offer at the centre than to create out own twist on the Chelsea Flower Show. We would like to thank Rosie and Joseph for the incredible work, as well as everyone who came along to enjoy the event. We hope all our guests have fun experimenting with their summer style.”

Joseph Massie Touching Up His Creation

Rosie Posing With The Gown

What a wonderful article and what a brilliant design and concept. Floral.today loves the combination of colors, textures and the beautiful silhouette of the design. For those that don’t know the wonderful Joseph Massie, he is five-time Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal winner which he has also won four Best In Show awards along with those. He has also been award a staggering 17 national competition victories and awards and he is only 26. Joe has his own company out of Liverpool, UK devoted to art and design. For those that don’t know about Rosie Fortescue, she is a BAFTA award-winning for her involvement with Made In Chelsea, a reality series on Channel 4. You can also follow Rosie at her fashion blog, At Fashion Forte, where you can catch up on all things fashion and style.

This was a wonderful article and design, click on all the links to go see more about the people involved, the flower companies or the fantastic Chelsea Flower Show. We thank you for joining us for this article and for Joe and those that sent us the article.

The only way to succeed is to practice, practice, practice and while preparing for his American Institute of Floral Designers, Professional Floral Design Evaluation that is a lot of what Garrett has done. This last week was Garrett’s last major event till his PFDE on Jul 1st and it was a mock exam hosted by Forget Me Not Flowers in Bloomington, IL. This has no affiliation with AIFD but was a great preparation to understand testing in a 4 hour time restraint and also understanding PFDE evaluations from an evaluators perspective and as a group.

This mock PFDE was strictly followed to what would actually happen in the real examination. Starting with a briefing of the design categories, a time to review the product and to organize your space and then they were off! They had 4 hours to design 5 pieces to the categories Sympathy, Arrangement, Wedding, Flowers to Wear, and a Duplicate. For each category floral.today is going to list each category with the specifics along with Garrett’s design for the category. wWith the photo’s and descriptions floral.today is going to list a few of the critiques Garrett was given to work on before July.

Sympathy

 

Wedding

A Centerpiece for a Dinner Party

Full Design

Closeup Of Design

Flowers to wear

Full Design

Closeup of Detail

Duplicate

Complete Table

PFDE TEST PREP DAY
http://youtu.be/v4UMALLKsRY