My 32nd Bday is tomorrow. Weird, huh. I remember having a (second) quarter-life crisis at 25 years old, saying I can't be doing this for another year! I was referring to my job at the organ and tissue donor agency. So two months before my 26th birthday I started Flour, formerly Sugar Magnolia Flowers. Granted, I didn't really get it going until that Fall, but technically I did start it. It really boomed around V-Day that following February in 2010.
This is from a bridal store opening. I knew I wanted to do sculptures and instillations, however without a fine art background I had NO idea how to do it. As a result, it was an utter FAIL. Then I learned about the wonders of gesso and chicken wire and everything we need to make badass sculptures. Same thing for when I started making flower apparel. I had no idea how to do it. Then the discovery of e6000 glue was a magical moment. I suggest going to an art store and asking them what to use instead of trying a million harebrained ways like I normally do:) In my quest to be the Rachael Ray of flowers, and I mean that in the best way, I attempted to follow her path. She used to do demos and classes at the upscale grocery store she worked at. So I thought to myself, I should do the same. Whole Foods was welcoming, and it was a really good fit. I was still a novice of sorts, with my fledgling business starting to grow bit by bit, call by call, knock by knock.
I remember being so very nervous. I took a deep breath, and just went for it. I think the thing about public speaking that creates such fear in people is that the audience is just staring at you, often without an expression to go off of. Most people are hard to read. They have resting bitch face. They may be tired, but are still engaged. And as you're talking you think, Do I really sound like this? After I got over that hump, I really started to enjoy teaching classes. I love answering questions and helping people. I had a caterer, Amy's Culinary Adventures, come up to me at an event. She said she took a class from me once (I think in my old DTLA studio space above the flower mart), years ago, and still remembers the tips I gave her for doing buffet table flower arrangements. That was really cool to hear! Flashback from Sept 2011!!! This is when we used to work in the back of a wholesale florist in the South Bay. In the peak of our wedding heyday. I was 28 years old.
I tend to love spraypainting flowers and pick that method of water dye. I like the saturation and for things to look intentionally artificial. It's more fun and shows a purpose. A bride wanted to add fake blue flowers to her wedding, so instead I sprayed small spray roses a turquoise. And how about those chipped black nails, eh? Eh! No florist should have pristine hands;)
This weekend I got two bunches of eco-friendly roses from Trader Joe's. I conditioned them by giving them fresh water and flower food and let them open. Using clippings from a nearby shrub in my backyard, I created this lovely textured arrangement in about five minutes. You want a lot of various heights to create a lush texture.
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