Tag Archives: flower arranging

flower therapy floristry course

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Mum’s Who Love Flowers

With Mother’s Day fast approaching, here’s some gift ideas from Bloom College that are sure to put a smile on your mums face:

  • A Bloom College Gift Voucher – these can be used on the full range of online store items as well as on all Bloom College courses and workshops – and you can even add your personal message to your mum on the voucher!
  • What about booking her in to one of our Courses or Workshops?  This would also be a lovely way for you to spend some time together if you both attend the same one?  With our flower arranging workshops such as Vintage Posy, Flower Crown – or Terrarium for something different – and our Flower Basics Course all being held in May (across our Port Melbourne, Albert Park and Geelong locations), there’s something for everyone!  Click here for a full Course Schedule.
  • If you’ve recently attended one of our Flower Workshops or Floristry Courses, Mother’s Day is a wonderful time to try out your new skills! By using some of the amazing flowers in season now, you can create something extra special and personal for your mum that she’ll love.

Hopefully this has given you some ideas on extra special gifts for your mum.  Wishing you all a lovely Mother’s Day!

learn how to make bouquets

Autumn Flower Guide – Our Pick of the Best in Season!

It seems like so long ago that we put together our Spring Flower Guide, but here we are in Autumn already!  As the weather cools down here in Australia, there are still many stunning flowers available for flower lovers (and those in the floristry industry) to enjoy.

So, what are our favourite blooms in season right now?

 

  • Dahlias: They are by far one of the most popular flowers – and for a very good reason!  They come in so many varied colours and sizes – there’s something for everyone to love!

 

 

  • Gardenias: They are one of the best smelling flowers – and are just superb in bridal bouquets.  Also great if you pop the blooms in a short vase, or float in a shallow dish.

 

 

  • Autumn Roses: They are just beautiful – our favourites are David Austin ‘fair Bianca’ variety – and also many of the peach and apricot hybrid tea roses.  Divine!

 

Just because the weather is cooling down, doesn’t mean things are slowing down at Bloom College!  With new Floristry Courses and Flower Workshops in Melbourne and Geelong being listed all the time, make sure you keep an eye on our Course schedule, or subscribe to our newsletter.

Stay warm everyone, and enjoy all the beautiful blooms out in Autumn!

Mothers Day bed of flowers

Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show (MIFGS)

Bloom College is excited to once again be a part of the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show (MIFGS) from Wednesday 25th – Sunday 29th March 2015.

What started off 20 years ago in the World Trade Centre building as primarily a trade show for growers (and those in the industry) is now the Southern Hemisphere’s premier horticultural event.  This spectacular annual event is now open to all, and held at the magnificent Royal Exhibition Building.

Leading Australian and international florists will create a range of interactive and memorable floral displays, transforming the inside of the Royal Exhibition Building into a floral wonderland in full bloom. Workshops and presentations hosted by award winning florists Joseph Massie, Matthew Landers and of course our very own teachers Rebecca Findlay and Alice Shepherd will be on the live stage. Audiences will be treated to an insight into how to achieve great floral artistry for themselves.

The best landscape design talent yet will also be showcased in the Carlton Gardens. The crowd-stopping show gardens will once again provide attendees with inspiration they can take home to their own gardens.

Bloom College will be holding a demonstration on the Main Stage (inside the hall of flowers) on Wednesday March 25 at 1.15pm – we’d love to see you there!  This will be a great chance for those interested in flower arranging, or flower workshops in Melbourne and Geelong to see what Bloom College is all about.

Plus each day 15 of our Career Change students will be treated to personal tours of the MIFGS with Yvette.

Competition time! Bloom will have 5 tickets to give away to the MIFGS!  Stay tuned on our Blog & Facebook page for details and to enter.

For tickets and further information on the MIFGS head to the Melbourne Flower Show Website.

pink roses for breast cancer research

Supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation

Here at Bloom College we treasure the support we are able to offer causes close to our hearts.  With that in mind, we were so thrilled to be able to assist the National Breast Cancer Foundation recently with their Pink Ribbon Breakfast.

 

It was the largest Pink Ribbon Breakfast held throughout the 2014 Australian campaign, and with Bloom College’s help it was an outstanding success for them.  They were able to donate $82,000.00 to assist the National Breast Cancer Foundation achieve its goal of zero deaths from breast cancer by 2030.

The Breakfast was held on Thursday 23rd October 2014, and Bloom College donated table arrangements made by our students.  The arrangements were lovingly handcrafted by those who attended one of our workshops held every hour (on the hour) across 2 days and 2 locations – Geelong and Albert Park.  Students donated $20 and an hour of their time, in which they also learnt other handy floristry tips and advice.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation were thrilled with their table arrangements, and said that they “made a beautiful addition to the ambience of the room”.

Flowers for breast cancer research foundation Flowers for breast cancer foundation pink roses for breast cancer researchlearn how to make table flower arrangementsBec Yvette and Geri Bloom College

Rebecca, Yvette and Geri

 

If you are a part of a charity and would like to discuss how Bloom may be able to help, we’d love to hear from you.  Please send us an email at: yvette@bloomcollege.com.au

 

 

At Bloom College flower design school we create floristry courses and flower workshops for beginners, the hobbyist and those wanting to pursue floristry for commercial purposes. Our classes are a place where not only do participants learn floristry and flower arranging, but they also have fun, meet new friends and find their inner creativity.  Classes are held across 3 locations:  Geelong, Port Melbourne and Albert Park.  Enrolments for the 2015 Classes and Workshops are now open.  To find our more head to our website (where you can also join our newsletter to receive the latest news and updates on our classes and events), or give us a call on (03) 5229 8336.

Bloom College flower market tours

Melbourne Wholesale Flower Market Tour – Your last chance to join us in 2014.

Immerse yourself in the fast paced action, wonderful fragrances and colour of The National Flower Centre (Melbourne Wholesale Flower Market).  Be guided by Bloom College to ensure you get the best quality and value while purchasing the freshest flowers available this season.  Usually closed to the public, this is the best way to experience a market loved by those in the floristry industry.  We also introduce you to the friendliest (and best) growers and wholesalers in the market – people that we’ve come to love from our many visits there.

Once you’re armed with your beautiful fresh flowers, it’s a great chance for you to try out your new skills you’ve learnt during your floristry training at Bloom College. Or for those thinking of doing one of our floristry workshops or courses, it’s the perfect introduction to learning about floral arranging.

This will be your last chance to join us at the market for 2014, and possibly one of the last times to visit the market at it’s current site in Footscray.  Plans are in place to move it to Epping in 2015 – which will be further to travel for many people.

Florists and flower retailers from across Victoria flock to this market, so come along and see what the fuss is about!

When: Saturday 6th December, 6am – 8am

Where: 542 Footscray Road,West Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3003 (map & full details)

Cost: $55 per person

Book here

If you can’t join us on the 6th December, but would like to join a tour at another time, head here to grab your voucher for a regular tour:

Please note: The Bloom College Florist Market Tour is usually by invite only to current students but this Christmas it will be open to all. Places are limited however.  The Vouchers for non florist guided Market tours are available to everyone most weekends.

Here’s a list of other Flower Market Tours available worldwide:

Sydney

Located near Homebush Bay (15 km west of Sydney), this is Australia’s largest flower market for fresh cut flowers, and is open to the General Public. Tours can be also tailored for general and special interest groups and individuals.

New York

Located on 28th Street, this Blog will help you navigate your way around the market, get the best flowers – and leave without feeling overwhelmed.

Bangkok

Located close to Chinatown, this half-day tour will ensure you get the most from your visit through the 1.5km long main thoroughfare and maze of sub-streets that make up this popular market.

London

Located in E2 (East London), this Sunday only market is also a great way to check out the host of local independent galleries and shops selling pottery, perfume and other treasures.

Holland

This YouTube clip shows you the sheer size of the largest Flower Market in the world, located in Aalsmeer, Holland.

Twenty million flowers move through here every day, and are brought in from Dutch growers, and also from growers in Israel, Kenya, South Africa, South America and beyond.  They are then exported all around the world.

To join Bloom College at our final Christmas Melbourne Wholesale Flower Market Tour for 2014, email us at enquiries@bloomcollege.com.au or to book a tour on any given Saturday book here.