Tag Archives: florists

Perfect work benches for floristry!

Flashback to a few weeks ago when our classroom was buzzing with activity with all our Flower Basics students!⁣

We absolutely love our work benches which are what is called an “Ikea Hack”! The table tops are from Ikea, then the legs have been custom fitted to make the height correct for standing and arranging as well as having wheels added to the bottom for movability. Then a nice thick coat of gloss added to the wood to make it more robust and resistant to scratches and water damage!


Thanks to our lovely teacher Natalie’s husband Cos for sorting those out for us!! X⁣

Dahlias

Dahlias really are a magnificent flower. Adding colour, and body with their many layers of petals. Their exquisite beauty comes from the daisy family.⁣ ⁣

Originally from Mexico and parts of south America, the symbolism of the Dahlia can vary depending on the colour.

Some common meanings of the Dahlia flower include:⁣

  • Staying graceful under pressure, especially in challenging situations⁣
  • Traveling and making a major life change in a positive way⁣
  • Standing out from the crowd and following your own unique path⁣
  • Staying kind despite being tested by certain life events⁣
  • Commitment to another person or a certain ideal⁣ ⁣

 

The Victorians used the Dahlia to signify a lasting bond and commitment between two people, so Dahlia’s are absolutely perfect for wedding bouquets, or perhaps an anniversary gift!⁣

Karl Lagerfeld

R.I.P. Karl Lagerfeld. Love him or hate (his politics), it is undeniable the mark Karl Lagerfeld has left on the fashion design community and arguably, the complete design zeitgeist of the 20th & 21st century.⁣

Always cutting edge but never forgetting the founding principles of Coco Chanel herself, Lagerfeld became Creative Director of Chanel in 1983 up until his death yesterday. ⁣

Lagerfeld’s body of work starting from just age 21 in 1954 is prolific. Here we see Lagerfeld using the beauty of flowers as inspiration for his Chanel SS15 collection. ⁣

Take a moment today to have a look back at some of Lagerfeld’s work and gain inspiration from a designer who was inspired by so much!⁣

CAREER CHANGE GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT – Andrea Onans-Sanchez

It was an absolute delight having Andrea in our Career Change classroom in 2018. Andrea had already started her floristry business before coming to Bloom and since graduation Andrea has been moving forward in her floristry career in leaps & bounds! We are so thankful for her giving up her time to tell us about her floristry journey…..and her pooch Prince!

What did you do before studying floristry?

Before studying floristry I travelled quite a lot and lived overseas. Prior to that I completed a Diploma in Interior Design at RMIT, I always knew I wanted to do something on the creative side career wise.

Tell us a bit about you, where did you grow up, where do you live now, what are your favourite things?

I grew up in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne in Blackburn for most of my childhood, we then moved overseas to South Korea for 3 years (yes I know crazy right!?). By 10 years old we came back and settled in Croydon North, our family home where I still live. I will be moving to Croydon Hills with my beautiful partner very soon! So excited as I’ve wanted to live in Croydon Hills ever since I can remember. I love this area, green everywhere you turn and so many cute cafes. I have so many favourite things! Don’t we all!? But to name a few… my dog Prince, he brightens every single day, he’s a gorgeous border collie we like to go for walks in the reserve behind our house where I can admire all the greenery and nature while he can prance around! I love the beach it heals me and is my happy place and gives me clarity, as well as the Warrandyte river. Outdoors is a big yes for me! Ahhhh I could go on and on, just going to a cafe for breaky with my partner, mum and brother is gold, spending time with the fam, travelling and of course creating. Floristry is my therapy, my creative getaway and other happy place. And lastly, chocolate chocolate & more chocolate.

What inspired you to make the change to floristry?

I have been saying for quite a few years that I really wanted to complete a floristry course, years!!! It was just about finding the right time and letting everything fall into place, which it did! I worked at a cute local florist around my area for a few years while completing my Interior Design course but thought nothing of it in terms of my future in floristry until I started to travel, see things, the beauty of nature and stepping into every florist shop front I came across. All my experiences have lead me to this floristry path.

Why did you choose Bloom College?

I chose Bloom College because it seemed like the perfect fit. I would go to the Melbourne Flower Show year after year and would see the Bloom College stand every time and loved the work they did and kept looking into it the courses they provided online. I saw that they offered a 6 month course which I thought was great, not too short and not too long! Their course structure appealed to me as well as their style and the hands on part of it too. So, I had to do it! I had enough of umming and aahhhing, it’s the best choice I ever made! Woohoo!

What do you want working with flowers to give you that your previous career/s did not?

Happiness, therapy, satisfaction & a challenge. The four best and most important things for me.

Do you want to have your own floristry business? If so what will you specialise in?

I currently have my own business, I started it in March 2018 right before I started the course. I already had some experience and thought it would be great to progress along the the way while studying with Bloom College. I don’t specialise in anything particular at the moment I’m giving everything a go to see what I love the most. At the moment though I am loving weddings/events, installs and workshops!

What is your vision for the future of your business and or the industry?

I would absolutely love to have my own studio and shopfront that is my absolute dream and major goal!

Who inspires you?

All creatives inspire me, I will spend about 30 minutes each day on social media admiring the work of florists, artists and all creatives really!

What is your preferred design style?

Organic & flowy.

Find Andrea online here, here & here!

 

Spring Posy

October is the month of giving at Bloom College

Create and contribute in October

“The secret to living is giving”, Tony Robbins

Ever wanted to create beauty using gifts of nature and contribute to the lives of others all at the same time? YES…. Then join us as we ‘create and contribute’

October is the month of giving here at Bloom College & we have a range of options for you to choose. From as little as $20 you can learn a new skill.

‘Petal it Forward’ in the USA is on October 19, It’s were flower lovers create bouquets and give them away. We love the idea and it just so happens that it coincides with the our annual creation of the table centrepiece for the pink ribbon breakfast. Join us at the Pink Ribbon workshop – create a table flower design for the National Breast Cancer Foundation biggest breakfast event on the calendar – donate your time and $50 to this cause that is literally close to all our hearts. (BOOK NOW) You might also like to join us at the breakfast $55 per head. (Details- link to pink ribbon breakfast booking page)

‘Blooming Business’ – Business start ups session perfect for those starting a floristry business, newly commenced or need to make changes to an existing floristry business. All proceeds go to Supporting women in business & business start ups in Uganda. Creating sustainable communities is the answer to world hunger and women have the power to make it happen – ‘The Hunger Project’ Minimum donation $20 (BOOK NOW)

‘Care & Share’ – create Bespoke designs, get guidance support and network with other likeminded florists. Workshop is designed for those with intermediate to advanced floristry skills. Perfect for Career Change Course graduates.
All proceeds go to Supporting women & children in Uganda. Creating sustainable communities is the answer to world hunger and women have the power to make it happen – ‘The Hunger Project’ Minimum donation $20 (BOOK NOW)

You can choose 1 or attend all, the choice is yours and what makes it even more fun is sharing it with friends

Create & Contribute Events

OCT 19 -‘Petal it Forward’ – Pink Ribbon workshop
OCT 22 -Date- ‘Care & Share’ – Bespoke designs
OCT 24 – ‘Blooming Business’ – Business Start Ups

Learn more about Yvette’s mission with The Hunger Project