Inspiration vs Reproduction: Revisited

Back in August, we talked about inspiration vs reproduction, and since then we have had even more brides come to us already knowing what they want their bouquet to look like. However, most of these brides were only inspired by what they saw. They were not looking for us to recreate the same bouquet, but wanted us to take their idea and put a spin on it to make it their own!

Our top three inspiration vs reality bouquets are below. Please notice how each one has little details that the original did not have. Some changes were made because of the bride's budget, some were because a flower was out of season or the bride didn't like the flower, but most were because the bride wanted something that was her very own. Something that she could look back on and be happy knowing that her personality was captured.

Inspiration (left) used softer blues and greens, but our reproduction (right) used bolder blues and greens to give the bouquet an added pop. We also placed a small blue butterfly in the bouquet for the bride.

Inspiration (top) used a variety of flowers to give extra texture and dimension, but our bride wanted her reproduction (bottom) to be softer with pops of bold color coming from Freespirit Roses to give dimension.

Inspiration (left) used soft pinks and purples to add contrast to the golds and yellows, but our bride requested her reproduction (right) to have no pinks and purples. To reflect the fall season and add extra texture we used Yarrow in place of the berries.

We hope that you have enjoy looking through our inspirations vs reproductions, and find your own inspiration to turn into a symbol of your personality!

Enjoy! And don't forget to check us out on Pinterest! You can see all of the things we are working on and have been inspired by!

Inspiration vs. Reproduction

The hot word in event & wedding planning right now is inspiration, and with the never-ending amounts of information on the web it's easy to find something that fits your style and ideas. However, what so many people are now getting caught up in is finding something they like and trying to recreate it. Very few people realize there is a difference in reproduction and inspiration.

As florists, we appreciate when our clients bring us pictures of things they like, but want to make it their own by using different flowers, colors or even a different style using the same flowers. Unfortunately, we find that more and more of our clients come to us wanting us to reproduce someone else's work. Though we may be able to reproduce a picture, it will never be exactly the same because we aren't the same person. Floral work is an art and the designs or textures used in an arrangement come from the florist's own inspiration. Another reason the work may not be the same is because flowers are never the same twice. It's like a snowflake, no two are flowers are exactly the same.

All of this information is not to discourage you from searching for inspiration, it's quite the opposite actually. We want you to do research before we meet with you, the more you know about what you like and don't like, the better we can create something for your event that is unique to you. Even as florists, we have our own inspirations that we use to draw new ideas from.

The inspiration photo

The bouquet we created

Be sure to stay tuned for other posts we have planned that will hopefully help you navigate the web in search of the perfect inspiration for your event!

True Love Tuesday: Jordan & Chance - June 30

Jordan and Chance were married on June 30th at Pratt Place Barn. Jordan came to us with a picture of her perfect bouquet (we'll cover inspirations in a later blog) with one request: change the white flowers. She knew she wanted something a little rustic but with a flair of elegance. So...we bring to you: Naturally Chic. 

Thanks to Meredith Melody for all of the fabulous detail shots. And we look forward to bringing you more about this wedding!!!

Enjoy!!

Purple Hydrangea, White Dahlias, Green Carnations, Scabiosa Pods, Bramble Vine, and Heuchera foliage all combine to create the bridal party's look. 

Flower of the Month: June - Rose

Last week, we showed you beautiful options for bridal bouquets made with Roses. This week we want to show you some of our favorite centerpiece designs using roses.

Hope you enjoy and be sure to follow our Pinterest page for more ideas and inspirations!

2011 Arkansas Florist Assoc. Convention

Held in Hot Springs each August, this is the first time I've been able to attend.

Here are a few photos from the weekend....Enjoy!

Some of the competition entries for the sympathy category.

and a few from the wedding category.

Vendor booths

Rose varieties

My favorite part: designs from a few of the presentations.

I Speak for the Carnations

As Doctor Seuss writes in his book, The Lorax, "I am the Lorax.  I speak for the trees.  I speak for the trees because the trees have no tongues."  (I'm an Early Childhood Education Major in college, even flowers remind me of children's books.)

I know by now that you are probably wondering where I am going with this.  Well, I am Hannah.  I speak for the carnation.  I speak for the carnation because carnations don't have tongues.  Carnations have received a bad reputation for long enough and I am here to speak out for the carnation and its tainted reputation.  Oh the carnation, bless it's heart.

All too often I am sitting in on a consultation for a bride or I overhear Althea talking to a bride and the question "And which flower do you absolutely not want in your wedding?" comes up.  More often than not, the response that follows is the same.  "Carnations".  

Now I must admit, there was a time when I would have responded the same.  When most of us think of carnations our mind instantly takes us back to football homecomings and school dances.  Now if we are truly being fair, we can't blame our bitter relationship with the carnation on some poor, poor fellow who thought that carnations would be wonderful flowers when mixed with five million ribbons and glitter and accented with baby's breath.  However, believe it or not, there is more to a carnation than those memories.  Yes, if given the chance, a carnation can make any wedding, arrangement, or prom beautiful.  

According to proflowers.com, the scientific name for the carnation, dianthus, can be translated into "flower of the gods" and "flower of love."  Carnations date back to ancient Rome and Greece where they were used in art.  In those days, carnations bloomed in primarily pink, peach, and white.  However, now carnations come in a variety of colors and sizes including peach, dark purple, and even a fuzzy green.  Similar to roses, the meaning of the carnation varies with the color.  White carnations symbolize purity while pink carnations show gratitude.  I bet you didn't know that in the early 20th century the carnation became the official flower for Mother's Day.  If carnations were good enough for the Romans, Greeks, and mom, they are good enough for me!

Take for instance this lovely bouquet with peonies, roses, and carnations.  Yes, carnations!  Carnations can add color, fullness, and depth to any arrangement when used correctly.  

Photo by Scott Plauche Photography

These bouquets include a mix of roses and carnations and the bouquet below include stephanotis  and carnations. (Now I know you can admit that nothing about these arrangements yell "1980s homecoming.") Carnations can stand alone or they can be mixed with flowers to create any feel, look, or color scheme that a prospective bride might desire.  

Photo by Scott Plauche Photography

 So the next time you are tempted to say "oh, no carnations for me, no way, no way."  Remember, carnations earned their spot in the floral world and we just need to give them a chance.

~Hannah

Wedding Professionals Conference 2010

Last week I attended the Wedding Professionals Conference in the Bahamas!  It was my first trip outside the States.  I'll write more later about the conference, but here are some photos...

View from the hotel...I promise it was all about work.

Colin Cowie!!!

Biggest Pothos I've EVER seen! (This is a house plant here.)

New Friends: Debbie, Elizabeth & DJ-Carl

 

Gift buying time.

You're looking at my awesome pedicure, right?

Not Your Typical Bridal Blog: Offbeat Bride

To keep up with wedding trends, I often surf wedding blogs, generally being overwhelmed by information, ideas, photos, ideas, colors, ideas, and so on.   I can only imagine how a bride feels!  Sign up for one thing and you're quickly drowning in wedding STUFF!  It's enough to make you dread wedding planning.

Recently, however, I came across this site: OFFBEAT BRIDE.  I like it because it gives some great ideas for ways to personalize your wedding.  I mean really personalize it.  We're not just talking about color choices or whether you should have chair covers or just bows here, but non-white dresses; themed weddings; and really unique touches to make your wedding about you!  

From their site...

Image from OffBeatBride.com

If Offbeat Bride's ethos had to be boiled down, it would be this:

• We aim to provide positive encouragement to couples who are trying to retain their identities through the drama and pressure of wedding planning.
• We believe that no two weddings need to look the same, because no two couples are alike.
• We believe that your wedding isn't a contest — there's nothing to prove except for that you love your partner.
• We love really awesome photography.
• We want to prove that online wedding planning communities don't have to be snarky, bitchy places where women decree each other tacky.
• We support couples all along the nontraditional spectrum — from beautiful hardcore freaks & geeks all the way to what we affectionately call "Offbeat Lite." Your wedding should be a reflection of YOU, not other people's expectations or tastes — that includes us!

NOTE: some adult language used


Check out the site...then call me when you're ready for some offbeat flowers.

Enjoy!

'Exuberance'

ex-u-ber-ance

  [ig-zoo-ber-un ns]

--noun

1.   Also, ex-u-ber-an-cy.  the state of being exuberant.*

I recently purchased a pair of earrings for an amount that I consider quite high for earrings.  The amount really isn't important, but its an amount that usually takes quite a bit of rationalization for me to pay this amount for something so small.  

The reason I purchased them?  The story the artist told me.  He made them personal, and I couldn't pass that up. 

I was really just window shopping and didn't intend to purchase anything.  But when I stopped at this booth, some of the earrings on display caught my eye.  So I picked up a pair and looked a bit closer.  Then I looked at the price tag. And I put them back.  Continuing to browse the booth, I noticed another pair.  And noticed the same price.  On the 3rd pair, I didn't pick them up.  Having seen the proprietor of the booth notice me, I didn't want to think he was making a sale, when I really didn't intend to buy anything at all.  

But he was watching carefully.  He saw that the three pairs of earrings were basically the same design.  These earrings aren't all that large, maybe 3/4" long, so the design on them isn't extremely well defined from a distance.  But I picked the same design all three times.  Having seen this, the proprietor came from behind the booth, picked up the original pair and proceeded to tell me the story of the creation of the design.  He showed me the symbolism portrayed when the earrings are hanging and the alternate symbolism when they are laying flat.  He told me that the name of this design was, 'Exuberance.'  Then he put the earrings back and went back behind the booth.

That's all.  He didn't talk about price.  He didn't make me a deal.  He didn't pressure me.  He just told me a story--a story of what this design meant to him, the artist.

I purchased the original pair that had caught my eye.  And every time I wear them I experience a little bit of 'Exuberance.'  I feel:

ex-u-ber-ant

  [ig-zoo-ber-uh nt]

--adjective

1.     effusively and almost uninhibitedly enthusiastic; lavishly abundant: an exuberant welcome for the hero.

2.     abounding in vitality; extremely joyful and vigorous.

3.     extremely good; overflowing; plentiful: exuberant health.

4.     profuse in growth or production; luxuriant; superabundant: exuberant vegetation.*

* from dictionary.com

When I grow up, I want to be able to sell like that!

...and, yes I wore those earrings today.

Spring Wedding & Design Show

Earlier this month I attended the Spring Wedding & Design Show hosted by Mears Floral Products in Springfiled MO.

The show was tons of fun--it's always a joy to hang out with other people who are interested (i.e. passionate) about the same things interest me!

Some of the great ideas I picked up....

How perfect is this for a flower girl?  It could be used any time of year just by changing the flower.  And it gives your flower girl a wonderful keepsake.  The flowers pictured here are silk, making a great keepsake, but we could easily create a similar look with fresh blooms.

Also a great twist on the traditional Easter basket...

With proms fast approaching, we learned some great techniques for creating custom bracelets (again, a great keepsake) and hairpieces.  Flowers of your choice can be added to these decorative wire bases.  Some of the detail is difficult to see in the photo, but trust me--these are very intricate designs!  This was probably my favorite segment of the show.  I can't wait to try some of these designs for the upcoming proms around here!

Are you planning on DIY florals for an upcoming event?  Here's an easy but unusual vase...and we can supply all the materials needed.  Materials included a silk poppy blossom, decorative wire, a small square vase and colored stick 'confetti.'









We also saw some of the options for using decorative wire in wedding bouquets.  Perfect for a modern/contemporary bride.  And the wire is available in a wide range of colors.  This wire can also be used in vase arrangements, corsages, and pretty much any floral design you can imagine.  Wonderful new product! (It's actually be around for a few years, but is gaining popularity by the day.)

See something you like?  Have questions about any of the designs or items mentioned?  If so, comment away!

Stuck: Where did all my creativity go?

Recently, I had a short period of time where creativity was just pouring out of me.  Any time I sat down to write,  the words flowed easily and effortlessly (and for me, that's a HUGE deal).  Floral designs came naturally--everything matched the vision I had in my head.  I could stay up for hours reading blogs, watching educational videos, and just learning new stuff in general.  What a great feeling!

Then it stopped.  And my question is: Where did all my creativity go?  

Today I realized something.  My creativity isn't gone; I just lost a bit of focus.  I'm an introvert.  I prefer being behind the scenes.  I love being the boss and I love being the creative designer that I can be (am).  But recently I've had to be 'out front' quite a bit.  OK, in reality, I WANTED to be out there, because I really do want to be successful, I really do want my business to grow, and I really don't mind (most of the time) doing the stuff it takes to make this happen. 

So instead of taking deliberate time to recharge, I unconsciously took time off.  I let blogs pile up to be read (427 unread posts on Saturday); didn't update Twitter; minimally updated Facebook; totally quit thinking about SEO stuff, AdWords, marketing, networking, or anything in the social media world; and took 4 naps this past weekend.   Not good.  Well, the naps were nice--especially on snowy Sunday.

And today (I really do like Mondays!) I went to work and knocked out 3 estimates in less time than it usually takes me to do one, answered emails, paid bills and organized my week all before 2pm.  (One of the joys of being self employed is that when you finish at 2pm, you can leave work.  I went shopping for a new consultation table.  Technically, this still counts as work but I wasn't at a desk any more.) 

So here's the new goal or the call to action or whatever it needs to be called to get me doing it: Be conscious of when I need to recharge.  Not only be conscious, but do something positive about it.  No more mini-burnouts.  I love my job, my clients, and all the things I get to do working with my clients in my job!  

Now on to updating photos. . .  :D  Oh, and if anyone wants to comment about all this, I'm listening.  

Flowers: White is In? Part 2

More beautiful white bouquets from pink blossom list...Flowers: White is In? Part 2

Flowers: White is In?

Here's a blog that has some wonderful photos of white bouquets.  


Good info from pink blossom list . . .Flowers: White is In?