Donations!

Every month I get asked to make a donation to various worthy organizations. I usually try to honor each of these requests if it is reasonable, and especially if one of my customers is doing the asking. It only makes sense. But because of the recession, I qualify these requests, weeding out those that have never done business with me or charities that I don't necessarily personally support. This year I got a repeat request from an organization that I supported last year with a $500 donation. I had to deny this request, not because I didn't think it was a worthy cause, and that I probably would get some good exposure, but this is an organization with lots of members--and not one of them gave me any business in the year since my donation! Do you mean to tell me that not one of these members had a need to send flowers in a year's time? Hmmmmm.....I don't think I need to support their event with my donation this year!

The Economy...

A lot of people ask me why I have chosen to work from a private studio rather than a retail florist shop. Well, let me explain. I am actually ahead of the pack in this decision. If most florists actually did a study of how much business they do in store compared to over the phone or online, they would see that they are investing proportionately too much money and time in the added inventory, staff, and effort needed to create the vignettes and displays in the shop, in relation to the actual dollar amount of sales generated from in-store customers. The trend has moved away from visiting the flower shop and selecting a bouquet from among several pre-made arrangements. People don't have the luxury of that kind of time these days. Instead, they pick up the phone or go online, and hopefully the florist you call will be enough of an expert in his/her field that the selection they choose to represent you with is appropriate to the occasion, fresh, and beautifully designed. That is what you can be assured of when you call me. The money I save in overhead--gift inventory, silk arrangements, wreaths, etc.--I spend on education, so I can stay on the cutting edge of the latest design trends.

I recently visited one of the local florists here. I wanted to pay this shop a visit because I had heard through the grapevine of a compliment the owner had paid me, and I wanted to see what this shop was all about. My first impression was great--it was like a European flower market with lots of flower varieties in buckets for cash & carry sales. But the closer I looked, the more it became evident to me that the florist did not have any understanding of the basic principles of design. It's a sad fact that less than 10% of all florists have any formal education in the field.

So it becomes a matter of preference. Would you rather be able to walk through a shop and look at the displays and get marginal designs, or would you rather make a phone call or go online, entrust the selection to an expert--or you can be specific if you like--and get an artfully designed arrangement? My studio is pretty basic--just a place for me to work, store containers and supplies, and have a cooler. You would never find pre-made arrangements here, and after all, who knows how old those things really are?

March Madness

Basketball player woven from willow gathered from Indiana wetlands.
Inspired by James Lutke's 2008 AIFD symposium presentation, "Interwoven...Art Naturally," I created this willow sculpture originally for the Indianapolis Flower and Patio Show. However, due to budget cutbacks, the Flower & Patio Show dropped our exhibit. But it was a good experience working with willow--again. (I used to make willow baskets in Pennsylvania. The willow was a little different there--redder in color, but basically the same to work with.) This sculpture is over 7 feet tall and is mounted on a heavy steel base created by my Dad--a steel pipe mounted on a disc blade.

Memory Box Photo

Here is what the memory box looks like when incorporated into either a casket spray or a floral arrangement.

In Loving Memory

The Memory Photo Box is a meaningful keepsake. Pictures are a comforting addition to a funeral service, providing a visual tribute to the person's life. I can include this wood photo box in a lovely floral tribute, displaying meaningful pictures that give the personal touch. Afterwards, the family can store pictures and other mimentos inside the box as a lasting remembrance.
Ask for this option as an excellent choice to commemorate the life of your loved one.