Photography

And here is another thing that I didn't know I would need to learn! I've never been much of a "picture-taker" let alone a photographer! However, if you want to have a web-site showing your work, you kinda have to learn how to use a camera. So, that is part of my new business experience. Fortunately, it is kinda fun. Not as fun as designing flowers, but it's not as painful as filling out government forms!

I am also thankful for my digital camera. No wasted film! I can just take photo after photo until I get something that I like. I can't imagine how much film I would be wasting learning this way. That would not be good. Digital is good!

My kids have taught me how to put photos from the camera to the computer and my husband taught be how to get them from Picasa to the web-site. They are very good teachers and I am a very slow learner. But they stand behind me at the computer, cheering me on!

So, yesterday we were trying to get a nice photo for my Weddings 101 page. It was for the 'single stem' bouquet. I can't believe we took 28 photos! (That would have been a whole roll of film!) But we did come up with more than one that we liked. And that, my friends, is an improvement! Here is one that we liked, but didn't put on the web-site. It's different than what I would normally take, and that is good. I saw this type of photo in a wedding flower book and so I thought I'd try it. Certainly not as good as theirs, but at least something a little different.

So many things to learn when starting a business...taxes...forms...web-site creation...blogs...and photography. This has certainly been educational--and fun!

Summer Wild Flowers

You don't have to have a big fancy bouquet to enjoy flowers in the summer. Most likely you have a few flowers in your yard to make a tiny posy. Or, take a walk around the neighborhood and you may find a viola growing between the sidewalk cracks, bachelor buttons along the street, or lamb's ear in a public area. Just a few tiny flowers in a humble little vase will add a touch of sunshine to your home.

I have always loved summer flowers. I remember spending hours in the school yard next to our home tying clover flowers together (and watching for four-leaf clovers at the same time!) I would start out making bracelets, advancing to necklaces. One time I made a clover chain long enough to go all the way around the canopy of my bed. I thought it was delightful. But, it was a bunch of brown, dead flowers the next day. Still, while I sat in the grass, tying flowers together, it was a wonderful way to spend a summer afternoon as a little girl.

So, maybe you could even collect some clover and dandelions to make your summer wildflower bouquet. It's the time of year when flowers are free. Enjoy!

Mary's Wedding Shower

These flowers were made for Mary's wedding shower. I will be designing the flowers for her wedding in July. As you can guess, the main color for her wedding is blue! This is the actual ribbon that we will be using in her wedding. We will be using delphinium, irises, and lots of baby's breath--along with a few roses. But, I decided to go with lots of roses in for the wedding shower.

By making this arrangement reflect aspects of the wedding flowers, Mary is getting a sneak peak into what her wedding flowers will look like. But I didn't want to give it all away. So, she just gets a small taste--to whet her appetite. Now she has some ribbon and roses to hold on to as she look forward to the weeks ahead and anticipate how the final designs will look. And, as you follow along with this blog, you will see what happens with Mary's flowers as well.

Vases

You will want your vase and your flowers to complement each other. So here are some tips.

If you have a very elaborate vase keep the flowers simple. In the post below about tulips, I wanted the 'shabby chic' vase to be as out standing as the flowers. So, I kept to one type of flower and the tall curly willow. The flowers had the same colors as the vase and so it all blended well while still showcasing the vase. If you have an antique vase or silver vase, a cluster of roses would make the beauty of the vase as important as the flowers themselves.

If you want the flowers to be the 'main event' then keep your vase simple. Simple vases will make your flowers be the outstanding portion of the arrangement. Using a simple mason jar will add charm, but not distract from your flowers.

Don't be afraid to try your flowers in various vases to see where they fit best. Experiment and see what you like best and what you want to highlight. Just have fun!

365x28=10,220

Happy Anniversary to us! Still crazy after all these years!

Flower Tip #4

Water. Lots and lots of water. Different flowers will drink up different amounts, so keep an eye on the water level. Tulips drink so much water that you will want to be sure to add water every day. If the water ever gets murky, pour it out and add fresh water.

And use that flower food that you get with your flowers. Follow the directions for best results. I have heard to use bleach or 7-up in flowers. That is what the flower food is doing--food for the flowers and anti-bacterial to fight off the bad stuff. Bleach alone or soda pop alone isn't as good as the free flower food you get. Plus, you never know how much bleach or pop to use. So, stick with the flower food and ask for an extra package when you buy your flowers so you can keep your flowers hydrated with the good stuff.

I know it sounds simple, but before I became a florists, I really didn't think that much about flower food and water. It is a little thing that you can do so that you can enjoy your flowers for as long as possible.

Lavish Blessings

...tiny flowers, joyous music, yummy smells, shimmering rainbows...all things that we could have lived and prospered without. And yet, God has made all these things for our and His delight. We don't need any of these things, but how they feed our souls and enhance our memories and lighten our days.

Our God is lavish in His gifts to man... making our burgers take wonderful...placing humming birds in the mountains as surprise gifts to hikers...adding scents to the beauty of nature. All of these things are frivolous, bountiful gifts from the Creator to the created.

Consider the lilies..I mean, really, consider the lilies and their beauty for no reason than to bless our spirits. When you consider the lilies, consider the Maker of the lilies and how He has richly poured out His blessing to all man-kind in all His small kindnesses to us every day. May your consideration of the lilies bring you to consider His greatest gift of Love...Jesus.

So fire up the grill and smell that steak cooking; put on that music and start singing along; stay up late and look at the starry sky in wonder. Enjoy the lavish blessing from His Hands!

Flower tip #3

Always cut the stems of your flowers, but don't use scissors. When you cut with scissors you will actually pinch the bottom of the flower stem closed. Use a sharp knife and cut at a slight diagonal. This will make it easier for water to go up the stems of the flowers. You can re-cut the stems every 2 or 3 days. The stems get clogged and cutting off the bottom will remove the clog so that your flowers will get the water they need.

Usually, the shorter the stems the longer the flower will last. This is because the water has less distance to travel. So use short vases with short cut flowers for long lasting blooms!

Clean vase, cut stems, no leaves in the water. Three easy things that will make your flowers last longer! Enjoy!

Tip on Tulips

I bought these tulips because they perfectly match this 'shabby chic' style vase. This will be one of the event flower arrangements for a bridal shower tomorrow. The tulips were a little short, but tulips will grow even after you bring them home. So, to give the arrangement some height, I added a small branch of curly willow. The branch adds the vertical dimension that the arrangement will lack until the tulips grow a little.

The tip, remember that tulips will grow even after they are cut. And, they will grow toward the light. You can put your tulips in a specific location to get them to grow toward the light and bend a certain direction. So plan your arrangement accordingly.

Tulips are fun because they will arrange themselves and we get to be the spectators. Have fun experimenting with tulips!

Flower Tip #2

Another tip for making your flowers last long...a very clean container. Whether you place your flowers in a antique crystal vase or a canning jar, make sure it is clean. I heard another florist say, "If you won't drink out of it, don't make your flowers drink out of it." That made me look at my containers in a whole new way. Would I really drink out of this? Hmmm...I think I'll wash it again!

Dirty containers may contain bacteria. As I said in the previous post (and you are likely to hear again and again), bacteria will cause your flowers to die more quickly.

Raise a toast--with your vase--to clean containers and longer lasting flowers!

Flower Tip #1

Do you want your flowers to last longer? Here's a tip for you.

It is fun to buy flowers in a bunch to put into a vase at home. When doing so, make sure there are no leaves below the water line of the vase. Simply strip off all the little leaves or even flowers that are under water.

The leaves under water will cause bacteria to grow more quickly. The more bacteria there is in the water, the faster the flowers will die.

Do leave plenty of leaves on the stems above the water. The leaves help to draw the water up to the flower itself.

"Smart entrepreneurs..."

"Smart entrepreneurs are both technically savvy and financially savvy--and if they aren't, they should partner with someone who is." p.141, Making Work at Home Work, by Mary Byers.

I'll say my 'amen' to that!

Being a good florist won't make me a good business person. I must know more than flowers and colors and styles and design elements. I also must know how to make a spread sheet, what items are tax deductions, how to write a business plan, etc. I am learning all of this, but I am certainly not 'savvy.' That is where my partner comes in!

Danny has been my partner in marriage these 28 years. Now we are business partners and so far it is working well. The things that are a struggle for me are easy for him. Plus, he is good at teaching me all the techy things I don't know.

I wasn't sure if this would work. I wasn't even sure if Danny would want anything to do with this floral business. But he has willingly jumped in with both feet. And, from what I can tell, he's actually having a good time in this new partnership.

Many, many thanks to my partner! I won't be able to do this without you!

Summer Reading List

This is part of my reading list for the summer... for the business side of me.

Small Business for Dummies, by Tyson and Schell
A Girl's Guide to Starting Your Own Business, by Friedmand and Yorio
Making Work at Home Work, by Mary M Byers

I am also reading Front Yard Gardens, by Liz Primeau. Well, mostly I am looking at the beautiful pictures. :) This is for the home improvement side of me.

With my youngest daughter and I are reading Running Scared, by Edward Welch. This is for our spiritual sides.

And I've almost finished Seventh Day, by Bodie Thoene. This is for the Christian/historical fiction/literature/inspiration side of me.

Then I'll also spend time with my Florists Review Magazines. At last, we made it to the florist side of me. :)

We all have many 'sides'. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Enjoy the made 'sides' of you!

It's here!

Well, it is official. My business license came in the mail! Now I can get my banking set up and open an account at the wholesale florist so I can buy all those nifty things that a florist needs :)

I know businesses must post their license by law. But I have a feeling they'd do so just because it is exciting to say, "This is my business." It's fun. I have learned so much about starting a business! It has been a lot of work and I certainly couldn't have done it without my dear husband. But it's been fun :)

It's funny. I have spent so many hours the last couple of weeks working on my floral business, but I haven't touched any flowers! Mostly I have been touching this keyboard! And touching a lot of books about starting your own business. And touching my hands together in prayer that we are doing the right thing. But flowers...none.

I think I'll celebrate and buy some flowers!

Mary and Nicks Wedding

I am so looking forward to doing Mary and Nick's wedding. It is such an honor to be a part of a wedding for people you really love!

Their colors are blue and white, and Mary's favorite flower is the delicate baby's breath. So, with the baby's breath we will have dark and medium blue delphinium, irises, and white roses. Seeded eucalyptus will be our 'green' of choice because of the hint of blue and the extra texture of the seeds.

I can hardly wait to make the 'botanical board' which will stand behind Nick and Mary during the ceremony. It will have the same flowers and candles added. This arrangement will be 60 inches long and will sit on the communion table. This will make a beautiful background for the ceremony and the photos. After the ceremony we will use this flower arrangement as part of the reception decoration.

Congratulations Nick and Mary! Thanks for letting me be part of your wonderful day!

More eyes

Thanks to all who have looked at my web-site and sent back comments. It has been very interesting to hear from you! You have all been encouraging and gracious, but what is interesting is how you each see things so differently.

One person noted the grammar, while another commented on the color scheme. One person discussed the 'feel', while another talked about navigating the site. Each comment was so helpful and came from a different perspective. Just what I needed...more eyes!

Eyes to see what I could not see. Eyes to notice details I never even considered. Eyes that see punctuation. Eyes that see themes. More eyes.

Thanks for sharing your eyes with me!