Feed Your Soul with Flowers Series Preview
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Tag Archives: floral arrangements
How to use the element of line when constructing a fresh flower wreath
Yvette shares with you a quick tip straight from the classroom on how to use the element of line when constructing a fresh flower wreath.
How to finish a bridal bouquet – Tips and advice straight from the classroom
Learn about how & why Bloom got started
Bloom College was created in September 2012 and launched in March 2013. The school has been through a number of changes since but one thing has stayed the course, the mission and intention remains the same. In this interview from 2017, Yvette is asked to share her purpose for founding Bloom College.
Watch the Interview Here
Graduate Profile – Judith Harvey
I completed the Bloom College career change course in 2019 in Alyssa’s Collingwood studio after enrolling in Yvette’s Flower Basics course earlier that year.
After graduating, I placed an ad on Gumtree seeking work as a florist assistant and from this I was contacted by a business based in Brisbane that specialises in pop up creative workshops. They asked me to run some flower crown workshops that they had bookings for in Melbourne for hen’s functions. This was a lovely gentle way to begin working with flowers and people. It was a delight to be part of such a happy and receptive groups of women, and whilst working on their crowns, they often spoke quite candidly about life in general.
With the onset of COVID, online flower orders took off and that opened my next door. I began working for LVLY, making jar posies by the bucket load to keep up with the overnight demand. Whilst not working directly with my customers, I worked with small teams of florists and learnt so much from each of them, as their backgounds were so varied.
As restrictions eased, so did the online demand, but now I had some resume experience which I took to a lovely florist business in my local area (Mornington Peninsula) called Tully’s. They hired me and I can honestly say I have the best job I could ever wish for. I work with beautiful product, in a lovely setting as part of a small team. We share the week between us.
Apart from being able to make beautiful things each day, the hidden aspect of floristry has revealed itself – people share their stories with you when they buy flowers, and you can be part of the joy or give support and presence when the situation is not a happy one. You know if you have done well by the look in the customer’s eye.
As well as all of this, I am often called on for random everyday flower deliveries for friends and their contacts, which is an additional element.
One of the best aspects of being a florist is being able to walk around with the inner tools to look at flowers and foliage and create something of beauty wherever you happen to be, and the constant learning and development that comes from being part of an evolving industry.
Training at Bloom would have to be one of the best things I have ever chosen to do in my life.
Best regards,
Judith Harvey
Please follow Judith’s journey via Instagram:
@judithplainandsimple
@simplestems_
Flower Industry Australia launches with a national vision of one industry together – unite, protect and connect.
Flower Industry Australia launches with a national vision of one industry together to unite, protect and connect.
Flower Industry Australia (FIA) , a newly formed nationally represented peak body for flower growers and florists, will officially launch this month.
With the mantra of “unite, protect and connect” it aims to provide national advocacy for macro and micro flower growers and florists on a number of industry issues such as Biosecurity and Country of Origin Labelling, as well as promoting nationwide industry connections, access to industry specific industrial relations, events and promotions.
It has grown from the vision of a small group of passionate flower industry professionals, who recognised that the Australian flower industry urgently needed to form a more unified approach in order to flourish.
The CEO of FIA and the inaugural Board of Directors consists of 10 men and women with working backgrounds in floriculture (at both micro and macro scales), floristry, floral education, biosecurity, and law, allow representation and advocacy at all levels across Australia..
Although still in its infancy, FIA has already lobbied with the government on important issues currently affecting the industry, including biosecurity matters relating to cut flower imports and country of origin labelling.
Memberships are now open, to all growers and florists across the country offering access to industrial relations support, online directory listing, Australian Flower Magazine, advocacy to government and many other benefits. Whether a micro farmer, a glasshouse grower, a ‘bricks and mortar’ florist, a large events florist or even a student entering the flower industry– FIA will advocate for all on the issues that affect them in the industry.
Job Roskam , CEO, said “Since I arrived 20 years ago in Australia many growers have stopped growing flowers. The current flower growers are determined to stay in the industry and some of them have come together to set up Flower Industry Australia. Flower Industry Australia will work to reverse the decline in the number of growers to create a strong future for new growers, and the next generation of growers.”.
FIA Board Member, Lawyer and NSW Farmers Board Member Sal Russo welcomed the national launch adding “stronger biosecurity is required to secure our future – more needs to be done and a national approach with FIA is pivotal “
All monies earned and raised through FIA will be spent within the Australian flower industry for the benefit of FIA members.
FIA looks forward to welcoming you – together we will grow –stronger together.
For more information about flower Industry Australia and their memberships , please view www.flowerindustryaustralia.com.au or contact Job Roskam at ceo@flowerindustryaustralia.com.au
About Flower Industry Australia®
Flower Industry Australia is the newly formed national representative body for Australian flower growers and florists. Flower Industry Australia represents and advocates for its grower and retailer members at both national and state level on issues affecting the industry. Flower Industry Australia is governed by a board of appointed directors who are either growers, retailers and/or in possession of skills deemed beneficial to the Flower Industry in Australia. Please visit www.flowerindustryaustralia.com.au
Meet Sandy McKinley Founder of ‘Acre of Roses’ Trentham
Flower Therapy – Feed Your Soul with Flowers
Things to do in a lockdown – COVID-19
Yesterday I visited my local market as I do most weeks, it’s usually one of my favourite things to do. However yesterday was different, as I stood in the crowd of people, some weary masks, I felt a sudden surge of panic. Having experienced many panic attacks before I knew the signs all too well, heart racing, sweaty clammy palms, dizzy blurry eyesight. So I got myself out of there pretty quickly and did my best to return to a sense of calm. I felt silly for feeling that way and woke this morning wondering what I can do to prevent the anxiety and overwhelm from recurring. Over the past 10 or more years I’ve been gradually learning and adopting new habits to improve my mental health and embed tools to keep anxiety & depression in the past. Over the last week I had stopped applying many of those healthy habits and indulged in an over consumption of news. Sure I wanted to keep myself informed and not be naive nor ignorant but I’m self aware enough to know my limit before I become over sensitive to it all. Once I’m in that state I’m of little to no use to myself or others. No amount of my staying informed will cure the worlds woes but I believe if we collectively stay well mentally & emotionally well we can see a major shift. I expect what I’m experiencing is something many people are, in particular creative types. A good imagination when used for positive thoughts is wonderful, yet with that comes a flip side when left unchecked. Remember your soul is what to tap into and listen to not the mind! The sense of uncertainty is one of the major contributors to anxiety and although removing any impulse to control the future is the most ideal antidote, it’s often unrealistic for many of us. Particularly if you love to plan & look forward to the future as I do.
Looking at what you can control and plan is helpful to me and keeps me on track. For anyone else feeling this way you might find it helpful to read my list of things to do if you are quarantined or should we have a lockdown.
So here’s the list;
- Read books
- Have a bath
- Sit in the garden
- Tend to the garden
- Meditate
- Talk to family & friends (deeply)
- Write – books, blogs & journaling
- Watch comedy, romance, adventure movies and tv shows
- Yoga classes on FMTV
- Dance & sing
- Play in the cubby & trampoline (yes I know I’m an adult)
- Clean & sort all cupboards & garage (Marie Kondo style)
- Arrange flowers from garden
- Film tutorials
- Sort photos into albums (digitally)
- Take more photos
- Make playlists
- Make rose water
- Make flower essences
- Cook
- Cuddle the dogs & family
- Create Pinterest boards
- Watch YouTube
- Create YouTube videos
- Create new vision boards
- Study online courses
- Exercise
- Remember to take supplements
- Connect with people via social media
- And so so much more
Upon reflection of my list I’m going to ensure doing more of these daily regardless of a lockdown or not!
Actually it would need to be a very long lockdown to do it all 😂
Stay well, safe and connected.
With gratitude,
Yvette x
Nature provides Hope
So much has transpired over the past months as the bush fires raged through the country. My mum’s town was evacuated and all surrounding towns were burnt out, we are grateful to the universe for keeping her safe and for the brave, selfless and tireless work of the fire-fighters. The power of human spirit collectively is really remarkable and if anything good can come from devastation and tragedy it is the reminder of our oneness. Last weekend, as the latest fires had just broken out in nearby ACT, I attended a workshop with the magical Gabby Bernstein. Two thousand beautiful souls were in attendance and through mediation we prayed for rain. As the workshop came to a close the heavens opened and the rain poured down. The following day my Mum sent me the following images. One photo was taken the day before the rain and the other taken just a few days after the rain. To me, this image provides hope as it’s a visual of the resilience of the land and nature as a whole. Nature is forgiving of past events and grows and evolves to be stronger than before. This, of course, does not mean we can use and abuse and there will be no end, everything has its level of tolerance. Nature provides us with lessons for our own lives when we take the time to watch, feel and reflect.
My hope is that you and your families are safe and well and feel immense hope for the future, not despite past events but because of them.
With hope, love & gratitude,
Yvette x
Image ‘out of the ashes’ supplied by local Janice Newnham in The Upper Murray Area of Victoria
‘The rearview vision is not the way forward’.