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Garrett

A Mayesh and Pantone kind of week!

For those living under a rock you may have missed the fantastic new Mayesh Wholesale Florist logo that was just released and the announcement of Beth O’Reilly AIFD becoming the new Mayesh Design Star for 2015. Also happening this week was the announcement of the 2015 Color of the Year, Marsala, by Pantone.

We are starting off today with a big congrats to Mayesh Wholesale Florist on their new logo as we were just looking at what makes a good logo and you can see that Mayesh has a new simple and clean logo. We here at floral.today like that it’s not immediately over modern but not a standard traditional. We have seen this look before with the Certified Florist program logo, but Mayesh Wholesale Florist has a simpler look focusing on the name of their company and their establishment year of 1978. We bid farewell to their old flag background with just their name and open the doors to this simple and refreshing new logo! Go read about all the details of their new logo at this LINK!

Image property of Mayesh Wholesale Florist.

Next for this week we have the new 2015 Mayesh Design Star, Beth O’Reilly and her interview with her good friend and past mentor/boss Coby Neal. We got to get to know Beth in her Floral.today interview and now even more in this video! Go watch the video and show your support for your 2015 Mayesh Design Star!

Last but not least the 2015 Pantone Color of the Year was announced and it is going to be Marsala! What do you think of this shade of red? Pantone shows us glasses of wine, pomegranate seeds, rich burgundy pillows, and cranberry fabrics. What are your feelings about Marsala and how do you see it doing in the floral industry? At first we were a little let down, but the more we see of the color and its uses, the more we are falling in love with it.

Image property of Pantone.

Check back here tomorrow when we bring you industry professional personal thoughts about the 2015 Color of the Year, Marsala!

December 5, 2014 by Garrett

Feature Designer

Amanda Coghill : Featured Designer

This week we are bringing you one of the United Kingdom’s best kept secrets! Amanda Coghill is one of the wonderful people floral.today met when attending the Fusion Flowers Magazine Summer School in 2013 and she is one of the industry’s silent wonders. She has an amazing eye for detail, great use of color and a drive to explore what she can do with flowers. Amanda is the owner/designer of Amanda’s Creative Florist located in Wick, United Kingdom where you will find one of a kind designs expertly made. As someone that has worked with some of the very best designers in the world and competes on a international level, Amanda has been sculpted into one of the best designers that world has to offer. Enjoy getting to know this amazing woman and make sure to go check Amanda out on social media!

Where did you get your start in the industry and what have been some of the most instrumental experiences that have helped you with your successful career so far?

A. Although I used to compete in children’s classes at flower shows when I was young, I really started in the floral industry when I started as a Saturday girl in a small local flower shop at the age of 13. I worked there until I was 18, then attended a city and guild floristry course at Edinburgh Telford College. I spent a couple of years there working, before returning to my home town of Wick to start up my own business. I worked hard as all new businesses do.

A. I had followed Fusion Flowers Magazine on facebook as well as subscription and be-friended Editor, Alison Bradley. Each year fusion flowers has a photoshoot for their magazine and their wedding magazine. In 2010 disaster struck as an erupted volcano in Iceland prevented many designers from attending as air transport stood to a halt. With seeing the problems unfold on the Fusion Flowers facebook page I offered to drive down and offer my help, as little as I had. That weekend was the turning point in my floral career. My eyes were opened to a whole new world of design, flower material and what turns out to be life long friends! It was Alison Bradley and team Fusion Flowers that gave me the belief that I could further fulfill my ambitions and push my abilities to what they can aspire to.

Amanda Coghill - Fusion Flowers International Designer of the Year

Fusion Flowers International Designer of the Year 2013 – Bronze Award

Of all your achievements to date what are some of the most memorable?

A. As well as having the extreme pleasure of working with Fusion Flowers on several occasions and having designs published within the magazine and the Weddings magazines. Having designs published beside world class designers is an amazing feeling. I have other career “highs”. In late 2010 I qualified for the RHS Chelsea F lower Show. I then competed the following May and was awarded with an RHS Chelsea silver medal. I returned again in 2013 and was rewarded with another RHS Chelsea silver medal. As well as Chelsea, I have entered all of the Fusion Flowers International designer of the year competitions and to date have received three bronze awards as well as a silver. These are special to me as several pieces have been judged by top designers who I very much admire within the industry. Having them just see my work was an honor, but to have them actually award my work put me on cloud nine!

What advice do you have for designers looking to start competing?

A. There are two things that I have learnt through competition and that I would advice to anyone looking to compete.
One always be true to yourself. We all have our own style, individual quirks. Don’t copy someone else’s design. Yes be inspired, look at what they do, but make it your own, don’t copy it petal for petal. Where’s the innovation, the reward and satisfaction in that? Nothing new will ever be created if no one pushes the boundaries and explores new ideas. Two always listen to your peers, wether its the judges giving feedback on your ( How will you know how to fix what went wrong if you wont let them tell you?), or other designers offering advice ( many have been in your shoes, made the mistakes and have listened to their critique ) listen to them. They want you to learn and are always willing to help. Some of the best advice I’ve had has come from other designers and their competitive careers.

Amanda Coghill 2013 RHS Chelsea Flower Show

2013 RHS Chelsea Flower Show – Silver Award

What are some interesting projects your working on right now?

A. At the moment I am just finishing off some designs for the latest Fusion Flowers International Designer of the year Competition. After the Christmas rush I will be starting to look forward to competing at RHS Chelsea 2015. Although we don’t find out until March what we have to create, I am always looking out for idea’s, techniques and inspiration that could be used when the time comes.

What inspires you and your designs?

A. The world is full of inspiration if you let it inspire you. I like to be quirky, different and inventive when designing so there are many different things that inspire me. Looking around craft shops, shop window displays and just good old mother nature. Sometimes you can be out on just another evening walk when you see the more gorgeous shaded leaves, or the sunset that night has the most spectacular colors, as long as I’ve my eyes open I will find inspiration in the most taken for granted things in life.

2013 RHS Chelsea Flower Show – Silver Award

Do you have a philosophy when it comes to designing?

A. My philosophy when designing is to be true to myself. As i’ve mentioned I like to be quirky and different. I don’t want to copy someone else’s designs. I want someone too look at something and know it was mine. A bit like Picasso I guess, you can look at most of his art know it was him who created it. I recently did a competition where I had to create a floral cake. I had an idea straight away that I wanted to use. I hummed and hawed about it, but then decided that “this is me”. This is how I work and what I do, so I went with my heart and would you know, it was the right decision and I won my group. If I’d have gone for something else I am sure I wouldn’t have placed. I was true to myself and my style and it achieved what I desired.

With our ever-changing industry, where do you see it changing and where do you see it heading in the next 10-15 years?

A. In my 14 years as a florist in the industry, I feel that the personal experience from selecting and buying flowers has been lost. Relay companies, order gatherers, supermarkets and forecourt garages are, in my opinion to blame. Nothing beats walking in to a flower shop, being hit by the fragrance, the color and the possibilities of mixing and matching. Throwing a bunch in your shopping trolley, physical or online doesn’t give you the potential to create “WOW”.
A. Online shopping is here to stay. We live in a busy world, in a world of technology. We can’t get away from that. Why should be though? We should be embracing it. Florists/designers need to make an online appearance and be more dominant in the cyber world. Have lots of their own work online, have an e-commerce site to let the customers choose. If we cant show them what we can do then how do they know that they can choose it? There will still be a customer who wants to smell the flowers in a shop, we will never lose that, we just need to grow with the rest of the world too. I myself am in the process of creating a new website. It’s taking forever because I want to be sure that what I show and portray on my website is what my clients want to see and make it easy for them to use. I want them to feel that they are walking in to a flower shop whilst they are sitting on their computer.

2013 RHS Chelsea Flower Show – Silver Award

What are some of your favorite fresh products to work with?

A. Ohhh this is always the hardest question for me to answer. Favorite fresh products to use. You know, I can never pick. I love working with products that are new to me. Wether its exotic flowers, new varieties or just a flower, foliage or material that I haven’t been lucky enough to use before. I have a list of favorite flowers, but i’d fill the whole page listing them all, and people would probably be surprised that it includes flowers like carnations, chrysanthemums, GYP! Everyday flowers that are taken for granted and classed as old fashion. In my opinion, they’re only old fashioned if you don’t know how to jazz them up!

Fusion Flowers International Design of the Year 2013 – Silver Award

If given the chance to work with any designer in the world who would you work with and what would you do?

A. I have been soo lucky since 2010, I have worked with some of the most amazing names in the industry Björn Kroner-Salié, Baudouin Roelants, Pirjo Koppi, Laura Leong, Wendy Andrade NDSF, AIFD, CFD, FBFA, John Hosek AIFD, CFD, PFCI, CAFA, MCF, Jodi Duncan AIFD, CFD and soo many more. One lady I have worked with already and would absolutely love to work with her on one of her wedding shows is Annette Von Einem. I have assisted her at a couple of photoshoots already, but I absolutely adore her wedding work. Evening getting to sweep the floor at one of her shows would be like a dream come true!

As we believe that your are the only person that can control what happens to your past, present and future we commend Amanda on her path as she discovers past the limits of floral design and look forward to her rich future in this industry. Floral.today also wants to wish Amanda good luck in her coming competitions and we look forward to the finished designs! Make sure to check out all of Amanda’s work and what she’s up to in the industry as a competitor and designer.

Thanks again to Amanda and until next time,

November 25, 2014 by Garrett

Extra, Feature Designer, Floral Companies

A Logo’s Strength

As one of the very first things a consumer or industry colleague sees when looking at your social media, business materials and even in some cases your company sign, your logo is one of the most important first impressions that could set the mood for the future you may have with said consumer and industry colleagues.

Font, color and over all style are major impactors on what the world sees your company as. Are you a high style boutique, a couture events company, a simple country shop, or even a modern freelancer? Make sure your logo is made to sell to whom your consumer is or who you are looking to target yourself towards.

We have gathered a few logos that we here at Floral.today like in the floral industry and they are as different as the businesses they belong to. From small town to big city these three logo’s show good color use, impacting fonts and are used to create interest and a strong symbol of their business.

Enjoy and make to share with us and these companies what you think is important in a logo and why.

Tracy Park
Park Place Designs
Battle Creek, Michigan
affordableelegancefloral.com


Great use of a analogous color harmony of pinks and peaches. Creating the framing around the business name with the antlers makes it important without needing any type of special font. Simple clean and though it has soft colors, this is very in your face and attention grabbing. What do you think of Tracy's logo?

Becky Klein AIFD
Poppy Design Studio
Columbia, Illinois
poppiesdesignstudio.com

What we enjoy about Becky's logo and branding as a whole is that she embodies the poppy to a beautiful extreme. We enjoy how the logo has the antique poppy in the corner just there enough to notice for interest and to reinforce the name. The use of the rougher calligraphy against the less unique font and the lowercase verses capital letters creates an importance to both places while giving us a nice cohesion to the name of the business. Unlike above, the simple touches of color gives you some interest but doesn't have any real importance other than aesthetics. Wonderful logo combining old world poppies with unique fonts, what do you think of this logo?

Mandy Majerik AIFD, PFCI
Hothouse Design Studio
Birmingham, Alabama
www.hothousedesignstudio.com

All Black and all one font getting straight to the point and we enjoy this logo for it. We think the capital 'h' exudes power and gets your attention and makes you want to read what comes after it. Though this logo seems very simple, we here at floral.today thinks it's daring and shows Mandy has a confidence in herself, her team and her product. This logo shows us that you don't need any colors or fonts screaming for attention if you have a well chosen simple font and create a focal to grasp that attention. Bravo to Mandy for such a simple but strong logo, what do you think of the black and white look?

Thank you to all three of these wonderful ladies as it takes guts to give a thing so important to you and your business up to the industry to judge, be inspired by and draw inspiration from. Make sure to go follow them on social media to show your support to your fellow floral designers. Share with us your thoughts on logos and also share with us your logos.

Till Monday,

November 21, 2014 by Garrett

Extra, Products

Trying Out November!

What fun we have had trying out some new products and techniques in November. We hope you enjoy this #FloralFriday’s post and always make sure to share with us what you’re up to! Lets dive right into what we tried and loved, and how it all worked out for us.

First up we have our hand bouquet to be held cupped in the hand with a ring for extra comfort and security. With the Emerald Lion Brand Yarn and the Silver 12 Gauge OASIS Aluminum Wire are so white that the bouquet stays strong but very light so even after the addition of the flowers the bouquet stays moderately light. We then have the cranberries threaded on black basic carpeting thread that is thin but very strong so the threads hang and twist without distorting the shape like some wires can do. The threading was finished off with Silver OASIS Beaded Wire and a simple hourglass for interest and to finish off the ends. Then to round the bouquet off we add in some dried Carthamus Safflower and a few McKenny Orange Mokara Orchids for color and interest. Combining the different shades of red and red orange along with dry and fresh creates an interesting visual and physical texture. What would you change or do to make the bouquet your own?

This is followed up by our free form linear design used with our dried out and used products. The use of the Rose Gold 241 Design Master paint on the dried flax and ilex branches made for a great combination of fall color and interest. The groupings of the Eufloria Flowers “Fiesta Sunset” Garden Roses is giving little bursts of color and color blocking up through the design while the Rose Gold Flax gives you abstract lines and depth through the branches. The whole design is securely designed into a Cattail Stem Grouping bound with Natural OASIS Bind Wire to create a unique textural base that uses a product that was collecting dust. The whole design is supported by the Cattail Stem Groupings and a OASIS MEGA Wire spiral under the base. What would you do to change the look or style?

The day is rapped up with the simple but impactful mounted orchid plant! The live orchid plant we went with is the Odontocidium Everglades Elegance “Nancy Lee” with it’s variegated petals, multiple blooms and an abundance of new stems growing. We mounted our Midollino Spiral first but weaving the ends through our metal structure then added our orchid plant into the spiral securing both with 3 bind points, bound with Natural OASIS Bind Wire. To add a bit of color to the leaves we added dried Ilex Branches Tips dusted with Rose Gold 241 Design Master paint and then added 2 smaller branch tips to the roots to elongate the the root system. Tons of texture, interest and a unique way to present an orchid plant. We use water spray bottles to keep the orchid hydrated and the mounting helps us with our personal over watering issues. How do you like to present your orchids to an elevated level? Show us your elevated orchids and how you provide your customer unique plant options

What are you doing in the month of November to challenge yourself or adventure the floral industry? We had tons of fun getting to explore some fun design techniques and products in November. Share with us what your doing this month so we can follow along with what you, our readers, are doing.

Till next week,

November 14, 2014 by Garrett

Extra, Products

Want, Love, Try in November

It’s all about the trying and loving in November as we try out new product combinations and inspirations that we are finding all around the industry. Here are some of the fun things we are trying out to help elevate our designs and help us stay on top of our creative game. Make sure to always keep floral.today up as we love to be inspired!

First up we are playing with yarn and wire to create interesting visual texture and patterns. The first time had seen someone Knit/Crochet along with floral design was at the American Institute of Floral Design 2013 Symposium Show, “HAND|craft – Design to Distinguish Yourself” presented by Jim Dempsey AIFD, CFD, when the whole show was produced in all hand crafted ways to show the increased visual value and professional skill.

We love to knit here at floral.today so why not take something we like to relax to and enhance our designs with it! You can see the beginning of our hand bouquet with emerald Lion Brand Yarn and Silver Smithers Oasis 12 gage Aluminum Wire. The wire ring form was the start and then we moved to going back and forth with the yarn to create and interesting pattern and visual texture. The yarn makes the bouquet super easy to glue into and the wire can be formed into any shape to create many different types of styles and forms. We will have the finished design in our #FloralFriday post for you to enjoy.

We are also having some fun with dried flax, cattails and branches for November. To be honest we had bought to many flax and it dried out but as we payed for it why throw it out. In the floral industry there is a great amount of waste, were not saying save all your trash but if it dries well or could be utilized in a good way in the future why not make some money from it.

We have dusted our branches with Design Master Rose Gold 241 paint and have done a full cover on our flax with the Design Master Rose Gold 241 paint. We are loving the pillar shapes we have been seeing all over the place, so we will be showing you the completed design on #FloralFriday as we try out creating a pillar design with our lost or forgotten product.

Finally we are trying out our Midollino Spiral from last weeks video to enhance a plant to be gifted. As a great way to add visual value and to enhance the plant to make it unique and one of a kind, it’s the perfect gift to come from floral.today. You can check out the video of the adventure that is Garrett trying to make the Midollino Spiral and then see the finished product of #FloralFriday!

Make sure to always share with us on social media or here what fun products or floral adventures you’re up to.

See you on Friday,

November 11, 2014 by Garrett

Extra

Farewell to Debra Gaunt

Debra Gaunt wasn’t just a mentor and teacher but a friend. Mrs. Debra Gaunt, my first ever floral teacher and most influence mentor, lost her battle with cancer on Friday October 31st, 2014 and will be laid to rest today.

Without this amazing woman I would never had even known about the floral industry and without her push and drive for me to be the very best I wouldn’t have come to be the designer I am today. Deb Gaunt was a American Institute of Floral Design member, Michigan Certified Florist and Michigan State University graduate. She instilled her love for horticultural and animal studies into every student and colleague she encountered. Because of the care she placed into all of her students many of us have achieved great things in our lives wether it be in the floral industry or else where. She will be dearly missed in the industry and in the lives of those she has affected.

Garrett pictured with Debra Gaunt and Brian Bak the night Garrett received MFA Young Person of the Year and his Certified Florist.

Of the many things that I could say about this wonderful woman, Edward J. Stieglitz said it best when he said “The important thing to you is not how many years in your life, but how much life in your years!” and Mrs. Gaunt didn’t just live a wonderful life but challenged us, her students, to do what ever we could to fill our life with adventure and live our lives to the fullest.

This is farewell to a wonderful person that touched the lives of many and created wonder for them all.

Till Friday,

November 5, 2014 by Garrett

Feature Designer

Hitomi Gilliam AIFD : Featured Designer

To the industry, Hitomi Gilliam AIFD is inspirational, an innovator and mentor to a significant number of people. Through her strive to push designers and the industry to their limits, Hitomi has set the bar of what many designers hope to be and what they will have to be for a strong future for the floral industry. Hitomi is the owner of DESIGN358 where the company started out as an event-oriented company and evolved into a leader in floral education. Other than the workshops and industry educational programs that DESIGN358 provides, it also has developed the European Master Certification program (EMC).

Surprising to us all, Hitomi even has some hobbies and interests when not jet setting all over the world and here is what she had to say on that particular topic.

“What???, when I have time which is almost never I love reading autobiographies or biographies of my favorite artists, architects, fashion designer, anything related to my profession. Loving Colin’s (that’s my son) dog, Swarley, we are obsessed with the wellness since he got seriously ill with encephalitis. In my household, in order of importunities, the dog, my son then myself and work. Lastly I enjoy down time watching some sort of sporting event, golf, hockey, etc… Takes my mind completely away from work. I love sports! You will be surprised how much I know about gold stats, for instance.”

Where did you get your start in the industry?

H.) I started in the greenhouse business. I worked for a greenhouse in propagation. Then moved to a job at the nursery working in propagation. Then started a small growing operation at home – bedding plants, hanging baskets along with eggs and produce like good Hippies did living out in the country in the 70’s. Built a small greenhouse operation – on purchased acreage – built all buildings ourselves (my ex and I). Opened a Plant Shop in 1977, turned into a Flower Shop in the following 2 years.

How instrumental were your first floral experiences to the many years of your success so far?

H.) My first memorable floral design experience was taking a short lesson from a retired florist neighbor – they showed me how to do wedding bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres. Customers had been asking me to do weddings… my friends told me to take on a small one – they told me that they can show me how to design wedding flowers. I was hooked!!! Learning new ideas and techniques was so very exciting to me. Making things, I knew, had to be part of my career. Just growing flowers and plants just was not enough… I needed creativity on a daily basis in my career!!

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What are some of the struggles that you have had to face on your road to success and becoming world renowned for floral education and design?

H.) The struggles for me has always been financial. I have a tendency to give away too much, whether it be flowers, time, energy…. I think when creativity is what drives you… it is so easy to want to do everything, new projects, new concepts, etc. without balancing out on the financial side. I wanted to do some projects so bad that I have fallen into the trap of personally financing them just for the sake of doing it for my own satisfaction. Too much passion at the expense of poor business is often the reason why flower shops suffer. Financial accountability must be your #1 concern. It is very easy to lose sight of your own financial wellness. I don’t regret anything that I have ever done in the business of flowers, I always wanted to live my life with ‘No Regrets’. It’s a good thing that I learned the importance of the business side – marketing, profitability, etc. in the latter half of my career – one cannot be successful until you understand the two sides of our creative career. Ultimate success depends upon it

Of all your achievements to date what are some of the most memorable or exciting?

H.) 1) My first AIFD program, the year after I was inducted in 1987 ‘Jewels of the North’ – first time on AIFD stage was truly memorable, very scary.

2) Winning the Great American Floral Competition Finals at AFS Convention in Las Vegas – the biggest floral convention of our time – 4000 in attendance.

3) Publishing the first book with my co-author, John Haines AIFD, EARTH MAN SPIRIT – it is still by far, my most favorite book.

4) Being honored with AIFD ‘Design Influence’ award

5) Winning the ‘Best of Show’ Gold Award for my design entry in the international floral professional category at the Singapore Garden Festival.

Give us a quick rundown of the European Master Certification program and some of the advantages for a designer’s future.

H.) EMC is the most comprehensive European design education possible without taking weeks/months to actually go to Europe to a full-time school. Tomas De Bruyne and I have collaborated to formulate this stream of accelerated study to enable those who are looking to add European Design to their repertoire by scheduling it in a way that is doable for everyone. The study is split into 3 parts over one year period. EMC Part I FOUNDATION is staged in various locations – workshop comes to you so that travel is not outside of the country. This segment is fundamental theories and techniques – the basis for European study. EMC Part II SELF PRACTICUM allows for practicing everything learned in Part I, to absorb it, to internalize it. Through scheduled assignments to turn in – designs to post on EMC Facebook page for assessment, keeps the learning continuous, but in the comfort of your own work space – to keep the cost down on the practice portion of this curriculum. Nomenclature study is also a big part of Part II. We feel that unless you keep up on your learning by practicing on daily basis, you can lose it. EMC Part III ADVANCED is the finale to this program – staged in Bruges, Belgium, one year later from the start of the program. We feel that this allows the study material to be completely absorbed by the students, knowledge of nomenclature – internalized, the techniques – well practiced, theories – total understanding, this we feel is the best feature of EMC. After completing 5 days of Part III, on the 6^th day – a full day of oral, practical and written examination is administered to test the knowledge and skills. EMC certificate is presented to those who pass every phase of the exam with required scores. Sorry, that’s as quick an explanation as I can come up with.

Do you have a philosophy when it comes to designing?

H.) My philosophy to designing parallels Eastern studies – Ikebana thinking. Nature is supreme!! All inspirations one way or other is nature-oriented. Nature is Truth. Man makes up all the Rules…which by the way may not always be TRUE. Right and Wrong is a man’s concept – a very subjective judgement. I prefer to live by the Law of Nature – it is always TRUE. I base all my designing on concepts which occur in nature. Even if I am presenting a concept which is contrary to nature… it is based on ‘what is’, and ‘what is not’ by nature. I have devised a system that is called 3 Layer method which applies to all designs, not just floral, but applies to everything. It is based on the 3 components of Ikebana – Heaven, Man, Earth – our world is based upon it – these fill the world, the universe… Likewise, because we create a little microcosm of the world within our design, it must have the similar representation of the same. This makes the design more truthful to nature. My Japanese background allows me to see the world, natural world in a very wholistic way – approaching composition from various perspectives instead of a singular spot and point of view in time.

How important do you find setting goals and what are some of the goals you are working towards right now?

H.) Setting goals is important to fulfilling your life’s purpose. However small or big the goal is, it guides you to attaining that new level. Without goals, one can wander and squander a lot of precious time in the scheme of life. It feels good to reach certain pinnacles in your life – these are the things of personal satisfaction, accomplishments and builds confidence and self-esteem to reach new heights. It perpetuates ‘wellness’. I have always set short term goals – breaking down the steps to the big goal. And my bigger goal has always followed a 10 year scheme. The current 10 year goal is to strengthen the creative, educated, brilliant talents and reputation of ‘FLORAL PROFESSIONALS’. To empower the high-end floristry, to separate this layer from the lower feeders – to bring the level of expertise and skills of this profession, to be respected and be reckoned with. To push for higher pay for talented and skilled designers. That the consumers will see that difference when dealing with floral professionals. Working on steps to get there… Want to preserve the profession that I have chose for the lifetime.

What advice would you give to those looking to start taking steps toward teaching industry classes and industry speaking?

H.) To join the community of educators, to stay in touch with all others pursuing this profession. Continually upgrading your knowledge. You can teach only if you are continually learning – otherwise, it’s a dead-end street – you are not contributing to the ever-changing world of design. I would personally love to put together a fellowship of serious educators, seasoned and new and upcoming. The group will not see any age divisions on methods of teaching – all open forum on teaching and presenting for the wellness of the industry. To take the ‘SELF’ out of teaching and speaking, for the benefit of ‘ALL’ who want to learn to elevate the profession.

Are there any exciting projects or shows we should be looking forward to for the rest of the year and in 2015?

H.) EMC 2015/16 cycle begins with 1 day Orientation classes around the country in 2015. The actual EMC PART I launches in October/November in North America – in San Francisco at the City College of SF (West Coast), and Norwalk, CT (East Coast) . If interested, go to www.emcprogram.com

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With our ever-changing industry, where do you see it changing and where do you see it heading in the next 10-15 years?

H.) I see the floral industry split into a more defined Low End and High End. The smart, skilled and talented will push themselves up to cater to the High End and will have extremely successful business. For all those who do not move up into that layer, their business will be a super grind, competitive pricing, volume-oriented business where rewards for quantity vs. quality design and style skillfully created. This layer with thin out for florists as they continue to battle it out with the box stores and ever growing DIY sector. More focus on events and wedding work will help increase the high end business. I expect the new generation of floral professionals will lean more to the Event Business – there’s money to be made there if Creativity is kept in balance with Good Business.

Where do you find your inspiration?

H.) The eyes which pick up inspirations – must be open. Open eyes, open mind… is the mantra behind how much inspirations cross your paths. Inspirations are everywhere, available every minute of the day if you are open to it. My greatest inspiration comes from Nature, no doubt. But my secondary inspiration comes from modern art – paintings, sculptures, textile, …. My current influences of the last 5-10 years have come from Architecture (structure/construction) and Fashion (decorative form/texture/colors).

Who are a few of the people that have helped inspire you or guide you along your career?

H.) My earliest inspiration whom I followed diligently was Cort Schwanebeck – his work exemplified clarity, pure!!! I love that word ‘PURE’ it describes on the mark emotion!!! I was wowed by the collection of designers who competed in the World Cup in Detroit back in the mid 80’s. My first time seeing the scope of floral design on the international level – it changed my world!!! Klaus Wagener won the competition. Daniel Ost was close behind…. can you imagine that!!! I was lucky to connect with the ‘VISION’ of these incredible talents when I was just starting out. I competed with John Haines AIFD – a man and a talent I admire and truly relate to. We worked together for many years – sharing thoughts, opinions, visions…. such a valuable time in my career!! I am grateful to have a very similar working relationship with Tomas De Bruyne currently – a brilliant man who pushes his boundary on the daily basis creatively, but has his sight always in balance with business. I can learn a lot more from this man. I love Gregor Lersch and his powerful curriculum of passion and hard work. I love Per Benjamin for his brilliant color works, masterful and energetic – his teaching skills are amazing, highly organized and structured masterfully. I think what has helped me grow even more than just within the industry – to stay more holistic in approach to my own course of study is: My constant search for parallel arts. Architecture – study of structure/construction is so valuable in armature work and pure mechanics. I have thoroughly studied the works of Frank Gehry and Santiago Calatrava for instance. I have been a huge fan of Georgia O’Keeffe all my life – have been on an annual pilgrimage to her New Mexico Museum for the last 30+ years. Her study of nature is the Ultimate Truth!! I have drawn much inspiration from Fashion – Vivian Westwood and Alexander McQueen has been thoroughly studied and their influences. No lack of inspirations, don’t you think??

What are a few of your favorite fresh and hardgoods to work with right now?

H.) GLORIOSA LILIES – just want to be a gloriosa when I grow up!! Ever so vibrant, sassy, free-spirited, not afraid of who she is… Other materials have inspired me – so many to list, but Gloriosa has stuck with me with its inspiration for 15+ years. I have been designing with Gloriosas that long… As far as hardgoods…. Of course, I have made a study of what to do with Midollino, this experiment spanning over 5 years. I love Flat Cane and Flat Wire. I am going through a revival with Lucite, Extruded Acrylic for Transparent Designs!!

Hitomi and Garrett 2010

If you could meet any person in history, whom would you meet and what would you discuss?

H.) I would like to sit down with Isamu Noguchi, the Japanese-American sculptor/artist/land artist. I am so intrigued with many artists from that era, including Georgia O’Keeffe, Constantin Brancusi, etc. Noguchi apprenticed under Brancusi in his early days. Because of his mixed heritage, he was often confused with his identity – and travelled a lot, searching… to find himself. His best sculpture clearly shows his mixed heritage – showing the raw stone/ what it was before it became sculpted. The raw stone exposed tells the real story of the process – which ultimately is the art, not the final finish. Gehry also felt that way about the process – as art. I believe in this as well. Actually I would like to be in a round table discussion with all my heros – Noguchi, O’Keeffe and Gehry. I have a list of questions a mile long about their vision and their purpose, and what the result should evoke.

Floral.today wants to thank Hitomi from the bottoms of our hearts for taking the time to share some insight into her mind and life. As a shining light of education, creativity and innovation for the floral industry, we always look forward to what Hitomi is going to do next. As one of the most trend setting designers in the industry, Hitomi has evolved many products in the industry but the most recent product to evolve design would have to be her work with midollino and her midollino spiral. Make sure to catch our #FloralFriday article on Hitomi’s technical video on how to make the spiral and our attempt at making the ever popular midollino spiral.

See you all on friday,

October 27, 2014 by Garrett

Extra, Floral Companies, Products

Want, Love, Try in October

Happy Monday floral.today viewers! Today I am showing you some industry products, techniques and designs I want to try, I just want or I’m utterly in love with at the moment. At the end of the post, tell us about the industry products, techniques or designs that have you wanting, loving and trying.

Let's start it off with my Wants!

Photo property of Illinois Willows


Illinois Willows - Fresh Rose Hip Wreath

I love all of their willow varieties, so why wouldn't I want a hand crafted Fresh Rose Hip Wreath. Kent Miles of Illinois Willows runs an amazing farm and can help you with almost every kind of willow available and really unique creations such as this and much more. Make sure to contact Kent at Illinois Willow for all his pricing to get yourself one of a kind wreaths and products.

Photo property of Accent Decor

 
Accent Decor - Wool Fabric 15cm X 16.5ft

I want to get my hands on the teal, light blue, and grey so bad. As a product I have experienced before, I have found the texture and uniqueness of this product can create something fun and whimsical to high end, high style very easily. I do prefer the wider 15cm as I can manipulate it to my liking but the smaller sizes are also great. With a great variety of color everybody can find at least one color of the wool fabric that can make them happy. Accent Decor makes this all easy to order online or you can contact them easily by phone.

Photo property of Anco-pure-Vanda


Anco-pure-Vanda - Kanchana Lavender Mist

So clean and so refreshing, I love everything about Kanchana Lavender Mist. I find the small lavender square webbing to be very interesting on the bright white. After seeing the Sunanda Magic Yellow at Baudouin Roelant's show at the 2014 AIFD Symposium, I fell in love with the wonderful variety that Anco-pure-Vanda offers from vibrant oranges to deep blues, and the Kanchana Lavender Mist is the top of the list of what I want to design with.

Second up are some things I Love!

Picture property of International Floral Distributors

Floral Trends Forecast - Lapis Luxury

How can you not love the power of deep blue lapis and the elegance of white all combined to create this amazing trend Lapis Luxury. What I find the most interesting and love the most about Lapis Luxury is that it's all about simple design with sophisticated details. Go check out all four of the this year's floral trends from the 2015 Floral Trends Forecast and tell us what you think of them.

Picture property of International Floral Distributors

Flower Trends Forecast - Modern Garden

Texture, texture, texture and just a little more on the side. The combination of the soft palette with a mixture of texture creates that feeling of soft romance on a wonderful spring evening. Though there is a wide combination of containers here, the floral designs take and hold your attention. The last thing I love is the airiness of the clematis and the leaf work taking the design from just another mass of beautiful textures and flowers to a interesting floral creation. All the 2015 Flower Trends Forecast designs where created and designed by Bill Schaffer and Kristine Kratt of SCHAFFER DESIGNS‬ of Philadelphia, PA, USA, so make sure to check out them and the rest of the floral trends.

  McQueens Florist - Youtube Videos. To be taken on a floral adventure is always the most fun to some of us and the McQueens Florist youtube channel, mcqueensflowers, does just that. The videos are usually under 3 minutes and are generally something interesting the McQueen team is up to. From Mulberry fashion show decor to student experience videos, I fall in love with the high quality work, product and teamwork that they show. Go fall in love and be inspired by McQueens Florist as I did.

To round it all out are what I want to try!

Photo property of Floral Soil Solutions

Floral Soil Solutions - Floral Soil

The very first thing I'm most interested to get my hands on and try out is the new toxic free, 100% plant based Floral Soil. Floral.today is all about new and innovated floral products and Floral Soil is oozing with everything floral.today loves. Once we get our claws on this awesome product we will be doing a review video and then a blog designing with it. Keep your eyes peeled and get ready to see how the floral industry responds to this new age product. Check out Floral Soil and tell us what you think about it.

 DESIGN358 - Mechanics & Techniques with Hitomi. Gilliam: MIDOLLINO SPIRAL Coming in the following weeks I will be trying out the Midollino Spiral and taking you on the ride. When you see a Midollino Spiral no matter what designer has designed with it, your mind will always go straight to the wonderful Hitomi Gilliam AIFD. With the versatility of the Midollino Spiral it's a great way to elevate any simple design or planter to a high style and higher selling creation. Check out this how-to video and then show us how you did with your own Midollino Spiral.

What are some of your wants, loves and tries for the month of October? I have a great line up coming in the next few weeks from renowned event designers to one of the most well known designers in the world! Stay tuned and keep floral.today in the loop of all your happenings in the industry.

Till Next Time,

October 13, 2014 by Garrett

Extra

Creative Professional Head Shot?

In the last month or so I’ve seen a few posts regarding peoples head shots for floral industry shows and classes and have even seen a post about a person maybe finding advise that she may not get floral jobs since she was wearing blue jeans in her head shot. This week will be short and sweet as more of a personal opinion; this is something that has been sitting at the back of my mind.

As I know the person’s personality and amazing skills that wore blue jeans in her head shots, I see nothing wrong with her choice. A head shot to me should always show me a little bit of the person’s personality and get me interested to attended their class or program. The person in question is none other than Patience Pickner AIFD, PFCI and she has an exuberant personality and is known for that, so I could never see her putting on a suit or all black for a photo that should sell me her as a product or get me excited for her presentations. When I had first seen her question the persons advise about her head shot in a facebook post, I found it interesting how very quickly floral industry leaders and designers jumped at her for liking or disliking her picture. When I had seen the picture that had sent the facebook post a flitter I was surprised because the photo that was in front of my face was exactly how I would expect Patience to be in a head shot. She had florals, which you don’t find in many floral professional head shots, a nice necklace and a beaming smile that was inviting and happy. Knowing that in the future I will hire Patience due to her kindness and professionalism when it comes to floral presentations and teaching, I find it silly that a person would even think to not hire her due to some blue jeans when she is one of the most up and coming floral presenters and educators paving the way for the future of floral design. Most of the response to Patience’s head shot were supportive in her being a individual and I say thank you to them and the many others that shared how they have been treated due to weight, and even piercings. An interesting thought that was written questioned how Patience wanted to be perceived and I feel that when I see Patience on stage she is always dressed in something lovely in a dress or black pants but in the picture I see someone that is welcoming and interesting, that I would like to attend their show and I would have a great time at it. We are a creative industry that I personally feel needs to show our personality when every we can. We are not lawyers or bankers, we are floral designers that are in a CREATIVE industry and should be selling ourselves as such.

Patience Pickner AIFD, PFCI – Floral.today Article

Many opponents to this thinking say that head shots need to be professional and to take a headshot in a solid colored outfit and also many feel that you should be in a business casual attire. As this is considered professional I may just have a young persons view but we are professional floral designers and to me we are artists. Now I’m not saying to pull out your very best Nascar T-Shirt or cut off jeans but I would rather see a designers personal style and expression than a cookie cutter of what a none related industry considers professional or a proper head shot.

When someone is uncomfortable it will show in a picture and as someone that is utterly uncomfortable wearing pants I opted for flat front, kakhi shorts knowing I wanted to have a photo that was me. In most head shots you will not see whats below the collar but many people put a lot of stock in a full outfit and sometimes the cost. I don’t know how to dress myself for crud but in my photo I was comfortable had a interesting floral piece and I actually enjoyed myself. The major issues people had with my picture was my shorts and my floral collar and it all goes back to not being professional enough. I was told that the succulent piece was not appropriate enough for a head shot and shorts are not professional at all. It is time to come to the cross roads of accepting that many have a different view of what a professional florist looks like and as the floral industry evolves it will only broaden that image even more.

Garrett Fairbanks CFD, CF

Garrett Fairbanks CFD, CF Head Shot for Canadian Floral Business Forum in January 2015

Here are some of our favorite designer head shots we like for their personality and individuality!

Björn Kroner-Salié – Floral.today Article

Derek Woodruff AIFD, PFCI, CF – Floral.today Article

: Annette von Einem – Floral.today Article

: Joseph Massie – Floral.today Article

What do you think about professional head shots?

Is there a set way that should always be followed?

Are we an industry that should be showing more individuality and interest in our photos?

Tell floral.today what you think below or on social media. I think that we are missing flowers and personality that a smile just doesn’t give us in a head shot and really look forward to what you think a head shot should be.

Join us for some of our floral industry favorites this coming #FloralFriday,

October 7, 2014 by Garrett

Industry Events

2014 Nature’s Creative Edge Comes To A Close

Another year of beauty, fun and unique design draws to a close as the North Central AIFD 2014 Nature’s Creative Edge. From huge floral frogs to elegant branched ‘Prisms’, this year held a great range of styles from amazing designers from many different states in the USA. Though the we had to battle the elements it was a wonderful year with a great amount of visitors coming from all over the USA to show their support to a one of kind floral design exhibit.

For all the pictures of the designs you can purchase the 2014 Nature’s Creative Edge DVD, you can find more information about purchasing at the Nature’s Creative Edge Facebook page soon so watch for all the details once they come out. Thank you to all the designers that volunteered all their time and energy to make this fundraiser a success.

Here are just a few of the amazing details and designs from this year.

'Burst'

Designer : Garrett Fairbanks CFD, CF

'Shower of Light'

Designer : Alice Waterous AIFD

 
'Orbital'

Designer : Robert Friese AIFD


'Prism'

Designer : Debbie Strand CFD, ICPF


Entrance

Designers : Deb Dawson AIFD and Barry Jeter





Random Pictures


: Lori List AIFD and Karl List – Working On ‘Time’; Designer Appreciation Night; Designer Appreciation Night’; Designer Appreciation Night; Interesting Candle Along The Path; Georgia Novak – Working On ‘Icarus’; Carolyn Kurek AIFD – Working On ‘Fast Food’; Lea Kuklinski MCF – Working On ‘The Kraken’

Thank you again to all the designers that took the time to travel to Fruitport, MI, donating your time and skill, for the great success at this years Nature’s Creative Edge. The money made from this event will be put toward educational scholarships and grants in the North Central Region. As one of the many that have benefited from the help of the north central scholarships at one point, I feel that you it is always important to give a helping hand where ever needed in the industry because you never know when you may need a helping hand yourself. Congratulations to the AIFD North Central Chapter on another great year and for being one of the leaders in the industry presenting opportunities for the public and floral designers to see that there are no limits to floral design.

Watch out for our #FloralFriday Video where we will be having a partial time laps of Garrett’s design ‘Burst’ being created and also some of the more mobile designs this year. Also make sure to go show Nature’s Creative Edge and the designers your support as for all their hard work this year.

There are so many more photos than what you see here so go get the DVD!

See you for #FloralFriday,

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September 23, 2014 by Garrett

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