Event Florist

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Art. I spent years working as a body artist in henna and temporary tattoos. I helped a ceramic artist friend with a project. I make my own jobs up, and keep it fresh.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. First, come up with your budget. Know a general feel you want or theme. Understand the flower names you want and color. Bring pictures. Always look for someone who understands what you want by using adjectives and photographs. If you can't name the feeling you want, but have pictures... a professional should be able to grasp what you want, and help you speak the lingo.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. If only I had enough time to share what I have learned over the years, and what I am continually learning.
The easiest way to sum up the floral industry is never get stale and never be afraid to question yourself. Clients should never be afraid to ask their designer's logic or reason behind pricing and quality.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. Green and White Designs stands out from the crowd, because we stand for creating individual masterpeices! Each centerpeice or element is tailored like a fine painting, and we feel passionate about making each event unique.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I always say, if you get to decorate parties, you have a pretty awesome job! Sure it is hectic, choatic at times, and a lot of pressure. I mean, you are making lifetime memories for entire families! But, it is a real blast. When other's get exhausted or anxious during events, I find myself smiling and relaxing into the great accomplishment of another beautiful event. It is always breath-taking to see the glimmer of the glasses and placesettings complimenting the arrangments you spent a week creating! And months planning!

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. Q: How much is it really going to cost?
A: Depending on how much you want to spend, its one price!
I don't believe in taxing on numerous sur-charges. After speaking candidly with clients about their vision and their budget, we come to one price. Easy as that.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. Hearing that a bride and her groom cried over the work. Makes me feel like crying!

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. That it is more than just "playing with flowers"! The most frustrating thing is people not knowing the physical labor and thought that goes into floral design. Its sometimes yucky, backbreaking, mindnumbing work, but it produces amazing art.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. Sure, it was luck. A family member told me that a local place was hiring and that I am creative and totally good. I fell in love, and even though I have degrees and had other career adgendas, floral and design hit me in the head. It was love at first gaurd petal.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. Lady GA GA Reception. Pink Feathers. Pink Everything.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. Design Books, Blogs, Websites, etc.
I use my art background to drive further into my designs.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. Organics! Fair-Trade! Recycling and Compostables! In the future, the conventional florist will be dead. No more Plastics, unless they are post consumer. I foresee more dirt being used. As in the Lovely Terrarium.

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. Most project take a week of active production work, two weeks of errands, and several months of planning.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. No. Its your budget.
I get real and help you realistically create an event with your budget.
One Price.
One Event.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. Don't go to design school.
Unless it is taught by revolving professionals, who work.
You need work experience, and the best way to learn is on the job.
Work at many places, and learn from lots of folks.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. Why didn't I start Green and White Designs sooner?
I don't know! Being Childish and Not Wanting to Grow Up, but then Realizing this Is Fun!