Browsing Category

Industry Events

Contests Happening Around The World

Prestige, prizes and recognition awaits all around the world in the form of floral industry contests and Floral.today has brought you just a few that are going on right now! From simply entering your name to vying for international design titles, there are many levels of contest just waiting for you to enter and show off your design skill!

We are going to start off with the contests that have the shortest expiration date and work our way from there!

Always remember it’s more than just trying to win money when it comes to these contests. This is a time to show off to the floral design industry professionalism representation or your utmost skill with floral designing. So good luck to those of you that take the leap with some of these amazing contests!

Image Property of The Florist

FloraBritain Logo Contest

Host: FloraBritain and The Florist
Country: United Kingdom
Closing Date: Friday 24th April at 23:59pm

Entry Cost: Free
Eligibility: Click LINK for terms and conditions! 
Prize: £1000 Worth Of Flowers
Logo Used in All FloraBritain Advertising and Marketing

Image Property of Mayesh Wholesale Florist

The Mayesh Instagram Photo Challenge

Host: Mayesh Wholesale Florist, Inc.
Country: United States of America
Closing Date: Tuesday June 30th, 2015 at 11:59pm

Entry Cost: Free
Eligibility: Click LINK for terms and conditions! 
Prize: Mayesh T-shirt
Feature on the Mayesh Instagram Page

Image Property of Society of American Florists

48th Annual Sylvia Cup Design Competition

Host: Professional Floral Communicators International
Sponsors: California Cut Flowers Commission
Oasis Floral Products
Country: United States of America

Contest Details: Contact SAF's Jenny Scala at (800) 336-4743; pfci@safnow.org

Prize: $3,000
The Sylvia Cup — an engraved silver trophy
Recognition during the Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner at SAF Amelia Island 2015
Complimentary registration to 2016 SAF Convention

Image Property of Fusion Flowers Magazine


Fusion Flowers International
Designer of the Year Competition 2015

Host: Fusion Flowers Magazine
Country: International
Closing Date: Monday November 30th, 2015

Entry Cost: £15
Eligibility: Click LINK for terms and conditions!
Prize: £500
Work Featured in Fusion Flowers Magazine

There are so many other contests and competitions we haven’t listed but make sure to share them to the Floral.today facebook and twitter pages so we can see what you’re up to and share your floral adventures with everybody else.

Till Next Time,

April 10, 2015 by Garrett

Floral Companies, Industry Events, Products

Floral Fantasy Comes To Life

Floral.today had such a wonderful time at the Great Lakes Floral Expo this past weekend presented by the Michigan Floral Association.

Thank you to Michigan Floral Association and Conference Chairman Brian Bak for presenting “FLORAL FANTASY – Seek • Explore • Discover” this year. From stage shows to contests this year brought out some amazing designing and sparks of excitement that the industry is always looking for and thrives off.

Garrett with the OSTC-SE Girls

Congratulations to Brian Bak and the conference board on such a successful year, we look forward to “Together We Bloom”, GLFE, March 4, 5, 6, 2016 presented by Kevin Adamo.

For all those that missed this years expo it was amazing. Unfortunately do to technical difficulties we didn’t get photo’s ourselves but a bunch of our followers and friends have shared their photo’s with floral.today so we can bring just a tiny bit of the experience to you.

Floral.today gladly chaired the awards banquet and tablescape contest this year and want to thank all those that participated. Big thanks to our sponsors Syndicate Sales and Illinois Willows for the great containers and product along with all the volunteers that had a hand in this years “Night of Fantasy” Banquet.

Floral.today Tall Designs - GLFE Banquet 2015

Tall Designs – ‘Red Curly Willow’ – Illinois Willows , ‘Modonna Dendrobium’ – Amy’s Orchids, Hanging Amaranthus, Sheet Moss

Tall Designs -‘Red Curly Willow’ – Illinois Willows, “Modonna Dendrobium” Amy’s Orchids, Hanging Amaranthus, Sheet Moss

OSTC-SE Students setting up the GLFE 2015 Banquet

Short Design – Chrysanthemums, Steel Grass, Sheet Moss, 8″x8″x4″ Syndicate Sales Weathered Brown Container

Short Design ~ ‘Red Curly Willow’ – Illinois Willows, Hanging Amaranthus, Green Roses, 8″x8″x4″ Syndicate Sales Weathered Brown Container

OSTC-SE Student Sadie working on cocktail designs

OSTC-SE Students and Garrett working on details

OSTC-SE Students working on Oasis Flat Cane loops

OSTC-SE Student Mariah working on Oasis Flat Wire details

OSTC-SE Student Nicole working on Oasis Flat Wire detail

2015 Tablescape Contest Winners

First Place – Team Events by Ludemas

Second Place – Doug Bates CFD, CF, Designs By Vogts Floral and Gifts

Second Place – Doug Bates CFD, CF, Designs By Vogts Floral and Gifts (Design Detail)

3rd Place Not Pictured – Team Country Lane Flowers

Random Expo Pictures

2015 Academy Winner – Doug Bates CFD, CF, Design By Vogts Floral and Gifts

2015 Academy Winner – Doug Bates CFD, CF, Design By Vogts Floral and Gifts

Teresa Cytlak CF reviewing student competition pieces with each student category competitor.

Certified Florist Showcase Design – Angela Christie CF of Flowers from Natures Garden

Parties That Pop! with Jody McLeod sponsored by Syndicate Sales

Get read for next years Great Lakes Floral Expo “Together We Bloom”, March 4, 5, 6, 2016!

What floral shows conferences or classes have you attended lately? Make sure to share with Floral.today all your fun floral activities and adventures on all our social media.

We are ‘Off To The Emerald City’ at the Illinois State Floral Conference next, so stay tuned for all the fun we have there,

March 13, 2015 by Garrett

Feature Designer, Floral Companies, Industry Events

Chapel Designers To Bloom In London

For the first time ever, the Chapel Designers and Holly Heider Chapple will be making their way to London, UK, April 13-15, 2015 for the London Chapel Designers C onference Cohosted by Nick Priestly.

Hands on Design Day at the New York City conference 2014 (Photo Property of Holly Heider Chapple)

Nick Priestly is the owner of Mood Flowers located in Glasgow, Scotland and the Cohost of this years London Chapel Designers Conference. Floral.today first met Nick at the 2013 Fusion Flowers Magazine summer school in Kippen, Scotland where we got to see Nicks passion for learning and floral education. We were more than excited when Nick reached out to us to tell us about this wonderful event. With Nick being so excited to co-host the London Chapel Designer s Conference, he was more than accommodating when helping us get to know this group and event a bit better.

Nick Priestley – London Chapel Designers Co-Host

Who are the Chapel Designers and how long has it been running?

Chapel Designers was established in 2011. Holly Heider Chapple asked other fellow florists through social media “Who wants to meet me in New York?”. Florists from all over the USA responded and the first Chapel Designers conference was born. New York will celebrate its fifth year this year.

How did you get involved with the Chapel Designers and specifically the London Chapel Designers Conference?

I connected with Holly through Amy McGee of Botanical Brouhaha about 18 months ago. Somewhere down the line I came up with this crazy plan that involved me flying halfway round the world to spend three days in New York with 60 (mainly US) florists I had never met before. It was an incredible three days. I have never felt so welcomed before. The key note speakers were inspirational, generous and uplifting. The experience made me rethink my relationship with flowers and the way I run my business. It was the best investment of time and money I have ever made. I approached Holly and asked her to bring her knowledge and more importantly her conference to Europe. We agreed to co-host the first European Chapel Designers conference in London in April this year.

Gathering of Chapel Designers on day one of the New York City conference 2014 (Photo Property of Holly Heider Chapple)

What are some of the benefits that you hope designers will take away from this experience?

At the London conference we hope to educate, inspire, motivate and provide ongoing support to wedding and event florists who may be working alone or be the sole owner of their business with a team of employees. Chapel Designers is a safe place where we can ask for help and guidance to elevate our businesses and grow ourselves as florists.

What can designers expect to learn or what is the main educational focus for the event?

We have brought together a group of amazing speakers and teachers for the London conference. Holly will bring some of her magic and help designers who attend learn how to create wedding flowers with the “hollyish” trademark.

Rona Wheeldon from Flowerona will conduct a social media workshop and the likes of Robbie Honey, Simon Lycett, Susanne Hatwood (The Blue Carrot), Jo Rodwell (Jo Flowers) and myself will conduct master classes and hands on design workshops.

In addition we will spend time at New Covent Garden Flower Market for a tour, presentations from some of the market’s most loved characters, as well as a workshop all about British flowers.

Bridal bouquet by Holly Heider Chapple (Photo Property of Holly Heider Chapple)

Is the event open to all designers or only select industry professionals?

The event is open to all floral designers and indeed anyone with an interest in wedding and event flowers e.g. wedding planners, freelancers or employees. However to become an official Chapel Designer you must have a floral design business, a web presence (active website and Facebook business page required) and be the principle of the floral design company.

Is the London Chapel Designers Event focused towards all educated levels of designers?

Yes, all the current Chapel Designers around the world are at different stages and sizes of their business.

What are you most excited for to happen at this year’s event?

I can’t wait to share the Chapel Designers experience with other UK and European designers. It is so exciting when a group of creative individuals come together. I am looking forward to seeing the work we will create together and the conversations we will have.

Holly Heider Chapple, founder of the Chapel Designers (Photo Property of Holly Heider Chapple)

What are some of the top achievements of Chapel Designers so far?

Chapel Designers in the US are leading the way in the industry. Four of the designers including Holly Heider Chapple have just been recognized by Martha Stewart as being the best floral designers in the country. Last year a group of Chapel Designers created all the wedding flowers for The Knot Dream Wedding.

As we build the group in the UK we hope that similar recognition and opportunities will come our way.

Where are the best places for interested designers to follow you and the Chapel Designers?

To sign up for the conference, go to:

Event Link

You can follow the activities of our founder at:

Holly Heider Chapple

The Chapel Designers have their own website, facebook page and Instagram account:

Chapel Designers Website

Chapel Designers Facebook

Chapel Designers Instagram

Wedding ceremony installation by Holly Heider Chapple (Photo Property of Holly Heider Chapple)

You can check out all the events and the group over all at www.chapeldesigners.com to see when Amazing opportunities such as this may be coming to your area.

Thank you to Nick and Chapel Designers for letting Floral.today and it’s viewers into a little bit of their world. Best of luck with this talent packed event and best wishes for a super successful conference.

Till Next Time,

February 27, 2015 by Garrett

Industry Events

A Night of Fantasy – 2015 GLFE

This year’s Great Lakes Floral Expo is almost here and we are more than ready to get to this great floral event! The expo is themed to ‘Floral Fantasy’ this year and as per usual the theme has been implemented into every aspect of the expo from classes to decor and even in the stage shows.

All the fun starts off Friday, March 6th and will conclude Sunday, March 8th at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, MI. Brian Bak of Bakman Floral Design is this year’s GLFE Program Chair and has been working to create you an event to remember!

You can find all the information Here!

Floral.today will be active as usually as the chairs of this years Floral Fantasy Awards Extravaganza and ‘A Night of Fantasy’ Tablescape contest. The awards banquet will take place March 7th and still has openings for those looking to show off their tablescape prowess to their industry colleagues. You can check out the details about the contest and expo at the Michigan Floral Association website.

With a prizes of hard-goods and a registration to ‘Together We Bloom’, along with the awesome theme ‘A Night of Fantasy’ to design to, this contest is sure to bring out some stunning and fascinating tablescapes along with showcasing what the Michigan Floral Association members have to offer.

Registration for the tablescape contest has been extended to fill in the last few spot so click on the LINK to go signup today!

Thank You To This Years Great Lakes Floral Expo Sponsors!

We hope to see you there and we look forward to seeing your tablescape skills in this years contest!

Go Register Now,

February 20, 2015 by Garrett

Floral Companies, Industry Events, Products

Florist Mercantile Company Website Has Launched!

Get over to the new Florist Mercantile Company website and see all the amazing floral vase sleeves they have to offer!

Check out this link for everything new and exciting!

Click Here

While you’re at the Florist Mercantile Company new website make sure to check out all their sparkly, glittery, and shiny Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeves they have to offer as the fashion world has spoken and sparkle is the must have this year. Check out some of what Floral.today has seen from these collections and then make sure to add them to your shops offerings for your consumers.

Florist Mercantile Company – Diamond Cut Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeves

From Zuhair Murad Spring Summer Collection to Chanel we are seeing a great variety of sparkle happening in high-end fashion design this year, so why not grab some of these great Florist Mercantile Company Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeves and stay on top of trends.

Florist Mercantile Company – Event Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeves

Zuhair Murad Spring/Summer 2015 Couture An Evocation of Water ( Photo property of SENATUS net)

Florist Mercantile Company – Event 1 Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeves

Chanel Spring/Summer 2015 (Video Property of Chanel)

Florist Mercantile Company – Mixed Glitter, Holographic & Metal Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeves

Go check out Florist Mercantile Company’s new website and tell them what you think!

Giveaway

For those that subscribe to or like any of the Florist Mercantile or Floral.today social media pages you will be entered into a drawing to receive either pre-wrapped Florist Mercantile Company vases and/or mixed Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeves. The winners must be located in the US or Canada. The winner will be chosen with a random picker at Random.org to keep the drawing fair.


Like or Subscribe to at least 2 of the links below to be entered to receive a prize.

Florist Mercantile Company
Youtube Channel
Facebook Page
Pinterest Page

Floral.Today
Youtube Channel
Facebook Page
Twitter

Florist Mercantile Vase Wrap Design Contest

Right now if you visit the Florist to Florist Facebook Group, they are hosting the Florist Mercantile Vase Wrap Design Contest with a prize of $500 dollars and 100 Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeves. Check out all the details to enter for a chance to win the $500 dollars and those 100 Florist Mercantile Company Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeves. Come show us your skills!

Available Positions at Florist Mercantile Company

All inquires can contact Florist Mercantile Company on their Facebook or at their New Website!

4 Regional Directors

Multiple Reps for Each State

Also Looking For Distributors

Thanks for joining us this #FloralFriday and we hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day week next week!

Till Next Time,

February 6, 2015 by Garrett

Floral Companies, Industry Events

Gotta Collect Them All

Can you guess what todays blog is about? It’s all about the many Florist Mercantile Company, Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeve collections today! With all the sleeves we have experienced here at Floral.today we haven’t even gotten to see all 250. With such a wide variety you can find any style, consumer preference or personal appeal. Enjoy and make sure to share with us what your stand outs are.

So Here We Go, Enjoy!

Gold Collection

Gold Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeve Collection

Gold Nuggets FMC 3113

Gold Crocidile FMC 3120

Gold Dream FMC 3121

Chevron Collection

Chevron Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeve Collection

Pink, Green, Black Chevron FMC 3069

Zig Zag Pink, Green FMC 3081

Zig Zag Metallic FMC 3126

Mixed Traditional Patterns

Mixed Traditional Patterns Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeve Collection

Red Damask FMC 3090

Hot Pink Pattern FMC 3023

Fleur De Lis FMC 3009

Blue & White Tiles FMC 3005

Quatrefoil Collection

Quatrefoil Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeve Collection

Quatrafoil Yellow FMC 3075

Quatrafoil Purple FMC 3077

Quatrafoil Pink FMC 3078

Quatrafoil Green FMC 3076

Quatrafoil Blue FMC 3074

Quatrafoil Grey FMC 3079

Mod Circle Collection

Mod Circles Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeve Collection

Mod Circles Brown & Blue FMC 3071

Mod Circles Green and Orange FMC 3072

Mod Circles Pink and Blue FMC 3070

Sweet Olive FMC 3086

Everything Sparkly and Shiny

Misc Sparkle and Shiny

Misc Sparkle and Shiny Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeves

Gold Blue Chic FMC 3119

Pastel Gems FMC 3124

Purple Ice Palace FMC 3136

Silver Ice Palace FMC 3143

Silver Ball Collection

Silver Ball Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeve Collection (Anything Other Sleeve Can Be Covered With Silver Ball)

Silver Ball FMC 3105

Silver Ball FMC 3105 Over Orange Dounts

Silver Ball FMC 3105 Over Purple Ice Palace

Silver Ball FMC 3105 Over Solid Silver

Silver Ball FMC 3105 Over Yellow Kaliedscope

Glitter Event Collection

Glitter Event Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeve Collection

Glitter Event FMC 3107

Glitter Event FMC 3107 over Black Kaliedascope

Glitter Event FMC 3107 over Ice Blue Kaliedascope

Glitter Event FMC 3107 over Metallic Red

Kaliedascope Collection

Kaliedascope Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeve Collection

Green Kaliedascope FMC 3139 (Darker Than Pictured)

Ice Blue Kaliedascope FMC 3137

Magenta Spectrum FMC 3130

Orange Kaliedascope FMC 3133

Silver Kaliedascope FMC 3155

Teal Kaliedascope FMC 3132

Melrose Collection

Melrose Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeve Collection

Melrose Blue & Green FMC 3095

Melrose Orange & Green FMC 3091

Melrose Yellow & Blue FMC 3092

Melrose Yellow & Green FMC 3093

Print Collection

Print Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeve Collection

Blue Nautical Rope FMC 3008

Butterflies FMC 3010

LolliPop FMC 3029

Nautical Ropes FMC 3042

Primative Wood Blue Paint FMC 3028

Natural Collection

Natural Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeve Collction

Natural Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeve Collection

Bamboo FMC 3001

Birch FMC 3007

Cut Bamboo FMC 3015

Green Bamboo FMC 3088

Moss Bark FMC 3039

Weathered Bamboo FMC 3065

Wicker Basket FMC 3067

Christian Collection

Christian Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeve Collection

Guardian Angels FMC 3020

Stained Glass Cross FMC 3055

Stained Glass Jesus FMC 3056

Stained Glass Virgin Mary FMC 3057

Tuscan Angel FMC 3062

What do you think?

Now that you have seen a large variety of the Florist Mercantile Company Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeves what are your thoughts? Of all the collections we have shown you what gets your attention the most? What we have shown you is just a taste of all there is available from the 250 Shrink Wrap Decorative Vase Sleeves. Make sure to ask Florist Mercantile Company about their School Sleeves!

Giveaway


Like or Subscribe to at least 2 of the links below to be entered to receive a prize.

Florist Mercantile Company
Youtube Channel
Facebook Page
Pinterest Page

Floral.Today
Youtube Channel
Facebook Page
Twitter

Florist Mercantile Vase Wrap Design Contest

Join us tomorrow for the Floral.today’s Over-all Top Picks for #FloralFriday.

January 30, 2015 by Garrett

Floral Companies, Industry Events

International Talents Brought To San Francisco Flower and Garden Show

Occasion! will be presenting a talent packed group of designers at the 2015 San Francisco Flower and Garden Show located in the San Mateo Event Center, March 18-22. The designers Occasion! will be presenting this year are Björn Kroner of Cologne Germany, Brigitte Heinrichs of Heinsburg Germany as the keynote speakers and San Francisco Bay designers Natasha Lisitsa, Soho Sakai RIJI, AIFD and Svetlana Chernyavsky CFD as the other presenters for the week.

Occasion! Founder and CEO Annette Kunz has promised Floral.today and all of you our followers once in a lifetime opportunity with skill and expertise that these designers will be presenting this year. All have graced industry media in some way or have established themselves as some of the very best the industry has to offer. Make sure to check out Occasion! which is one of the leading opportunities to find top international presentations, study abroad programs and workshops in the world.

This Years Occasion! San Francisco Flower and Garden Show Designer Schedule!

Björn Kroner

Workshops: 

Trendsetter Weddings – Handtieds with Armatures and Beyond with Björn Kroner
March 19th & 20th, 9am-5pm
Price: $775

Avant-Garde Designs for Spring with Björn Kroner
March 21st & 22nd, 9am–5pm
Price: $775.00


Keynote Lecture Demonstration:

Sponsored by Occasion! and the 2015 San Francisco Flower & Garden Show
March 18th, 2:00pm
Price: $40.00 - SFFG show admission not included.

Property: Denis Bradley and Fusion Flowers Magazine

rights pjk-atelier.de

Brigitte Heinrichs

Workshops:

Unexpected & Innovative Table Top Designs with Brigitte Heinrichs
March 19th & 20th, 9am – 5pm
Price: $775.00

Dynamic Florals for the Home with Brigitte Heinrichs
March 21st & 22nd, 9am – 5pm
Price: $775.00


Keynote Lecture Demonstration:

Sponsored by Occasion! and the 2015 San Francisco Flower & Garden Show.
March 18th, 11:00am
Price: $40.00 - SFFG show admission not included.

Soho Sakai RIJI, AIFD

Lecture Demonstration:

Sogetsu Ikebana
March 21st, 3:30pm
Price: $40.00 - SFFG show admission not included.

Natasha Lisitsa

Wedding Lecture Demonstration:

Waterlily Pond Floral Design Studio
March 22nd, 1:00pm
Price: $40.00 - SFFG show admission not included.

Svetlana Chernyavsky CFD

Wedding Lecture Demonstration:

Dream Flowers
March 22nd, 3:30pm
Price: $40.00 - SFFG show admission not included.

As someone that has personal been to a Björn Kroner class, floral.today can honestly say any of these presenters are going to be a once in a lifetime learning opportunity. You can find all the information at the Occasion! Website for each show. Tickets can be purchased at the Occasion! Website and also the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show Website but get them soon so you don’t miss out on anything! Thank you Occasion! and Annette Kunz for offering this wonderful opportunity and we look forward to the future that Occasion! is offering to our industry.

Occasion! Founder and CEO Annette Kunz

Till Next Week,

January 23, 2015 by Garrett

Floral Companies, Industry Events

2015 Canadian Florist Business Forum Tidbits

When was the last time you took the time to sit and evaluate your business? That’s exactly what we did at the 2015 Canadian Florist Business Forum and it was a great day of networking and great business presentations shown in attention grabbing ways.

Most floral business owners usually sigh and avoid business presentations since they instantly think it’s going to be boring and way to unexciting but the Canadian Florist Magazine does a great job providing speakers that can take business programs and have a little fun with it or present it in a way that gets you excited to try their suggestions in your own business. This year had Star Wars and flying oranges all while having amazing business building information being presented. So we hope you enjoy some tidbits from our fun floral adventure to Mississauga, ON for the 2015 Canadian Florist Business Forum!

The girls of can mex wholesale flowers showcasing some of their amazing products.

Attendees during a networking break between speakers.

Farm To Canada wasn’t just showing off their amazing hydrangeas and organic roses but also giving away a box of these amazing hydrangeas to one lucky attendee! Next to the organic roses we were living for the amazing mixed tropical bouquets, especially the tropical bouquet with miniature bananas.

Flowershop Network’s Booth before the show started.

Smithers-Oasis reps relaxing before the doors opened.

Neville MacKay designed for Smithers-Oasis throughout the breaks and lunch to showcase different Smithers-Oasis products with interesting ways to use or manipulate them.

One of Neville MacKay’s networking break designs showcasing the Smithers-Oasis Pink OASIS™ Midollino Flower and the Strong Pink 1/2″ OASIS™ Flat Wire.

Neville MacKay created this piece showcasing the easy manipulation of the Smithers-Oasis Pink OASIS™ Midollino Sticks with the added on visual affect of the Pink OASIS™ Midollino Flower, Strong Pink 1/2″ OASIS™ Flat Wire binding and hearts, Strong Pink OASIS™ Diamond Wire detailing and the Purple OASIS™ Midollino Stick knots.

Strong Pink OASIS™ Diamond Wire detailing and Strong Pink 1/2″ OASIS™ Flat Wire binding

Neville MacKay took the time to discuss all the Smithers-Oasis products and hand out a few sample for attendees to get familiar with.

One of the amazing pieces from the Staallduinen Floral booth showing off dutch flowers. We enjoyed the depth and texture throughout the whole design.

The Floral Express setting up their booth with some great mixed bouquets.

Floral.today had a great time at this years Canadian Florist Business Forum and truly enjoyed doing our presentation on “SOCIAL MEDIA FOR THE BUSY FLOWER SHOP”. We took away a better understand about search engine marketing from Ryan Freeman of Strider Search Marketing and Florist 2.0‘s fun Star Wars themed presentation, know more about risk management in the work place from the informative talk by Pete Karageorgos from the Insurance Bureau of Canada and got a way better understanding of plant care and maintenance all while catching oranges if you answered a question correctly (Mr. Daum is from Florida) with Steven Daum of Floralife and Superflor Technologies. Once we have it done for the website we will post our presentation from the forum so watch for it and make sure to plan to be at this fantastic and though provoking event that is the Canadian Florist Business Forum.

Thank you to the Canadian Florist Magazine and their staff for including Floral.today’s Garrett as one of their speakers for this awesome event. Also a huge thank you to Floral.today follower Rita Quayle of Flower Workshop for taking me on a floral adventure to the flower auction, her wonderful wholesaler and her shop. A super thank you also to Rita and her staff for creating me flowers to wear for my presentation as we are flower people and should take every opportunity to wear them when we can. My last thank you is to Joseph Delarge for showing us the beautiful city of Toronto and his amazing shop Eco|Stems. Check the Floral.today Facebook for all the photos from our adventures!

Till Next Time,

January 16, 2015 by Garrett

Extra, Feature Designer, Floral Companies, Industry Events

New Year Floral Youtube Inspirations

What a week for starting off the new year with amazing inspiration! Check out some of these fantastic youtube videos filled with floral inspiration, education and great design goal makers.

Who couldn’t love all the amazing designs done at the 2015 Rose Bowl Parade? For those that didn’t have friends working on the floats, luckily you have J Schwanke of UBloom.com to take you on an up-close and personal tour of the Kit Cat’s American Grown float this year!

Some our favorite things we took away from the video.

– The amount of people willing to volunteer at an event such as this.

– The unwavering support that American companies can show to each other.

– The fantastic quality of California Grown products.

– Large-scale design doesn’t just have to be big ball arrangements or tons of product just thrown on top of each other en masse.

Who doesn’t get excited when they see the words Hitomi Gilliam along with Mechanics and Techniques? Hitomi has us follow along as on her journey of transparency with florals. We are learning a unique way of creating an armature with flow, depth and texture using a limited amount of product in an very high impacting way.

Our favorite parts!

– “Let it happen naturally” Being someone that doesn’t love the mass design or ball of flowers, this is will be on repeat in our heads when it comes to our designs now.

– Using flowers and not just willow or branches for the armature structure creates more interest and tests the limits of a flower’s ability.

– Proper proportions to create the illusion of designing in stones.

– Enhancing florals that have hardier blooms such as crespedia to create greater interest.

– Knowing proper elements and principles of designs to elevate your designs into something above the basic everyday design.

What a start for the 2015 Mayesh Design Star Beth O’Reilly! Nothing is better than a fresh take on a mass design and Beth gives the anything-but-interesting mass design a fun and intriguing upgrade with this 2-D floral framed sculpture.

What we learned the most.

– The importance of depth and texture, especially in a 2-D design.

– Some older mechanics such as chicken wire are still the best and you can’t go very far without good mechanics.

– Using high quality product is key to a successful design such as the Mayesh Awesome Blossoms.

– Don’t fear going to the hardware store and being inspired with new tools and hardgoods.

Welcoming, professional and challenging are all the things we enjoy with from Leanne Kesler AIFD and the Floral Design Institute Videos. We get invited to the Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition and learn to make a contemporary tropical floral design.

What we took away from the video!

– Schedule to attend the Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition next year for inspiration and even more floral exploration!

– Don’t be afraid to take a few cuttings from the plants in your shop.

– Using proper and professional design terms and names elevates your design and creates a higher valued design.

– Find value in your foliages and use them as more than a foam cover.

What has already inspired you in the new year? Make sure to share your thoughts with us about these videos and tell us what inspired you. Also make sure to go show all these designers your support and subscribe to their channels to be updated when they post more amazing videos. We here at Floral.today hope your year is starting off with a bang and you are working hard towards your floral resolutions!

Till next week,

January 9, 2015 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,

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

September 23, 2014 by Garrett

Older Posts

Newer Posts

Industry Events

2015 Tablescape Contest Winners

3rd Place Not Pictured – Team Country Lane Flowers

Random Expo Pictures

Get read for next years Great Lakes Floral Expo “Together We Bloom”, March 4, 5, 6, 2016!

Who are the Chapel Designers and how long has it been running?

How did you get involved with the Chapel Designers and specifically the London Chapel Designers Conference?

What are some of the benefits that you hope designers will take away from this experience?

What can designers expect to learn or what is the main educational focus for the event?

Is the event open to all designers or only select industry professionals?

Is the London Chapel Designers Event focused towards all educated levels of designers?

What are you most excited for to happen at this year’s event?

What are some of the top achievements of Chapel Designers so far?

Where are the best places for interested designers to follow you and the Chapel Designers?

To sign up for the conference, go to:

You can follow the activities of our founder at:

The Chapel Designers have their own website, facebook page and Instagram account:

You can check out all the events and the group over all at www.chapeldesigners.com to see when Amazing opportunities such as this may be coming to your area.

You can find all the information Here!

Registration for the tablescape contest has been extended to fill in the last few spot so click on the LINK to go signup today!

Thank You To This Years Great Lakes Floral Expo Sponsors!

Zuhair Murad Spring/Summer 2015 Couture An Evocation of Water ( Photo property of SENATUS net)

Chanel Spring/Summer 2015 (Video Property of Chanel)

**Giveaway**

**Florist Mercantile Vase Wrap Design Contest**

So Here We Go, Enjoy!

Gold Collection

Chevron Collection

Mixed Traditional Patterns

Quatrefoil Collection

Mod Circle Collection

Everything Sparkly and Shiny

Misc Sparkle and Shiny

Silver Ball Collection

Glitter Event Collection

Kaliedascope Collection

Melrose Collection

Print Collection

Natural Collection

Christian Collection

What do you think?

**Giveaway**

**Florist Mercantile Vase Wrap Design Contest**

This Years Occasion! San Francisco Flower and Garden Show Designer Schedule!

Giveaway

Florist Mercantile Vase Wrap Design Contest

Giveaway

Florist Mercantile Vase Wrap Design Contest