Introducing #ILOVEFLORISTS!
What prompts me to make this corny proclamation?? Here’s the story:
Nearly 20 years ago, I stumbled into floristry when a friend asked me to arrange her wedding flowers. I have always been curious and what I call a “vaguely creative” person... interested in many artful things, but not enthusiastic or focused enough on a single one long enough to explore it deeply.
When I found floral work, I instantly connected with the medium and became obsessed.
I recognized that the practice of floristry allowed me to weave together many of my lifelong interests: my reverence for nature, my love of fashion and accessory design, my love of entertaining, and my love of the visual arts. But I think what made me fall in love with floristry so deeply is that I instantly sensed that I’d found my calling. After flitting around for years, I recognized that the deep curiosity and enthusiasm I felt for this work deserved my immediate and full attention. I’d finally found a focus, and this filled me with a deep relief and sense of purpose.
Though I couldn't articulate this at the time, I recognized that floristry is a unique, emotive art form with a deep well of rich art principles to explore. I could see that this interest would be with me for my lifetime.
@catcartybuswell workshop at @spencerannarbor
Entering the world of floristry
I started out starry-eyed and full of passion, but was disappointed to find that the larger culture was not as entranced as myself, and was instantly confronted with warnings from my friends and family. Their advice was offered to save me from wasting my time. I heard things like: “this is a hobby, not a realistic career,” and “after going through years of college, this is what you really want to do?,” and “go ahead, but you will never make any money.” People didn’t know what to do with my enthusiasm; to them, a “florist” was just an order filler, someone who replicates bland customer requests. Florists were not viewed as artists with a point of view.
I was also disappointed with how florists were sometimes viewed and treated in the event world..out of all the vendors, it felt as if we had the role of scrappy underdog. Our budgets were often cut first, our thoughtful proposals chopped up or challenged, our informed suggestions cast aside. Also, our work requires long hours and is very physically demanding and largely unglamorous.
Although we work in a beautiful medium, the grind of floristry is real.
Working in ephemera presents a unique set of challenges-it felt very much like my past work as a sauté cook in an upscale restaurant. We work really hard and really fast to coax perfection out of perishable, fleeting ingredients, then we present them ( slipping in and out of the back door ) and run away as fast as possible to hide our bruised knees, calloused hands and frazzled hair. We rarely get to pause to soak in the rewards of our efforts. Although we work in a beautiful medium, the grind of floristry is real. Often, the work can be stressful, isolating, and thankless.
@wolfingtons workshop at @shovingleopardfarm
Pushing the Art of Floristry Forward
As I progressed as a florist, I began to find myself much more interested in florists and their issues than working as a florist myself. I was drawn to identifying the pain points that florists have, and testing and tinkering until I had something useful to offer back to them. Out of my love for our work, and my respect for hardworking florists, I morphed into a floral design teacher.
This role filled me with a renewed sense of purpose and a new driving motivation: to push the art of floristry forward. A lot of meaning is tucked into this little slogan.
I Aim to Offer Ideas That:
Encourage florists to see themselves as artists with a unique perspective to offer the world.
Allow them to create with greater ease and more enjoyment.
Encourage and support sustainability.
Will contribute to the overall up-leveling of our work so that the public recognizes us for the incredible creatives that we are!
I’ll say it again: I aim to lift florists up and encourage them to pursue artful meaningful work that contributes to their well being and to the well being of the world! Corny? Lofty? Maybe!! But this is truly my passion.
@nicoleclareyphoto workshop by @mayeshwholesale
Fast forward to the present
Now florists, like chefs, have worked hard to be recognized as artists with a point of view. The public is infinitely more interested in what we do, and in general, more enthusiastic about floral design than I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. People from all walks of life are becoming interested in floristry, and the profession is truly experiencing a renaissance. The industry is attracting attention, and the public, it seems, is placing a higher value on what we have to offer.
With this increased activity and interest, our profession is also experiencing increased scrutiny. There are many points of view on how one must conduct oneself within this field, and many divergent voices contributing to the education of florists.
Introducing #iloveflorists
I’m starting the hashtag #iloveflorists to highlight people who are offering sustainably-minded, low waste, solution-based information out of a LOVE and RESPECT for florists and floristry.
People who are driven to participate in the betterment and advancement of our industry in a welcoming, connection-focused way. People who recognize that this is a rich art form worthy of reverence.
I’d love this hashtag to take on a life of its own and be a place where people can scroll and receive practical solutions that they can implement now. A place that people can visit and leave feeling empowered, informed, and encouraged.
@nicoleclareyphoto workshop by @mayeshwholesale
Please join in!
If you create informative, solution focused content, tag your own posts with #iloveflorists! If you follow others that dedicate their time to up-leveling floristry, tag them! This is a small way we can build connections, support each other, and continue to grow.
With love,
Ready to go further?
For more opportunities to learn and grow alongside other floral artists, join us in The Virtual Studio or check out my extensive library of self-paced online classes.
