Flowers to Hospice

Since I've been posting a lot recently on my Instagram account about flowers that are headed to hospice units, I wanted to explain a bit more about what hospice is, and why I care so much about it.

Hospice is very different from any other traditional medical care.  The focus of hospice is not treatment, but quality of life for those with terminal conditions, typically with 6 months or less to live.  Maximizing comfort is the priority.  Hospice care will not only be provided for 6 months if the person exceeds that projection, but hospice care will be provided so long as doctors can verify that the client's condition remains limiting to their life span.

Talking about the process of dying is really difficult for lots of people.  I'm not one of those people.  My dad died when I was in elementary school, and I've had lots of close relatives die since then.  My family throughout my life has been very up-front about death, and it's not really something scary to me.  Probably because it was discussed frankly and not drenched in religion - but all that aside, I find our life processes fascinating and am interested in them.

We've had lots of brides at the shop recently request that their reception flowers be donated to hospice care - any hospice care.  Often, hospice care is provided in the client's home, but there are several inpatient wards throughout Philadelphia.  Every Monday, I go visit one 15 bed unit to fill bud vases with leftover wedding flowers (we always have a ton), and just yesterday I went to another unit in South Philadelphia to donate to a specific unit that the bride is associated with.

You would think that I was delivering a million dollars.

Staff and volunteers get so excited to see the flower deliveries, and I suppose families and patients do as well - I don't have a ton of interaction with the clients of the hospice.  

I would like to think that bringing a bit of nature into a medical setting has a positive impact.  Showing something bright in a stark, clinical setting can really improve someone's mood, even incidentally.  But I think that donating flowers to hospice is a really small way to communicate care for others in our community.  Lots of people don't know much about hospice, and I feel like it's kind of a no-man's-land.  

Suggested reading and watching below.  I've personally viewed or read all of these and recommend them to anyone who is interested in learning more.

Documentary: How to Die in Oregon

TED Talk: There's a better way to die and architecture can help

Books:

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory

Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End

The Good Death: The New American Search to Reshape the End of Life

There is Value in Education

When I was looking around the Philadelphia area for florists that I wanted to contact, I got a crash course in floral design style differences.  In other larger cities, you'll see people whose portfolio is almost exclusively blush and soft neutrals, round balls of blooms in bouquets.  You'll also see some folks who do more modern styles, with color-blocking and tropical flowers.  I could go on and name about 10 other signatures among the florist community here, but there was only one thing that I was looking for when I was reading everyone's website and blog, looking through their portfolio multiple times: what do I want to do?

In contacting floral designers for a potential meeting, I contacted people whose style seemed to be something that I liked, and that I would want to try a hand at.  There were tons of people that I didn't email, because I do not want to immerse myself in certain styles.

As I read websites and anything I could find on dozens of florists, I would read interviews that those florists had done for others, and all of their backlogs in their blog.  And something that I found to be a common theme was really sad to me.  Tons of these folks have flat-out said or written that they would not ever hire someone who had any previous floral experience.  These are probably (actually absolutely are) some of the people who didn't return my emails, but I won't name names.

The fascinating thing is that a ton of these folks, who will not hire anyone with experience, teach workshops and classes.  What dissonance.

Workshops and classes are a great way to hone techniques, learn new things, ask questions, and meet other people who are interested in similar things as you.  Workshops are also a nice way to simply try new things, without having to please a client.  They are valuable.

Then I suppose the issue is defining what "floral design experience" actually means.  Does it mean you took a class once?  That you interned or apprenticed for three months?  That you were an employee to someone else?

Stay with me here.

Relating to education for floral design, I've also noticed another interesting phenomenon.  Lots of industry folk, not even specifically people in floral design, have something on their bio that reads to the effect of "has trained with top industry leaders/premier so-and-so/top-rated whomever/luxury something in (insert nonspecific region here)" to validate their expertise in their field.

But what does that even mean?

Does it mean you took a class once?  Foes it mean you interned or apprenticed for three months?  That you were an employee to someone else?  That you were an employee to someone else?  That you met someone at an event and are extrapolating and stretching your expertise?  That you freelanced for someone?

So then the issue is being specific about the extent of your training.  

I just think it is fascinating that there can be such ambivalence all around about education level.  But I find it relevant and interesting because I am a former teacher, and I believe that education is everything.  Education has the power to change your life.

I feel there is value in education, and that it should be rewarded.  Not treated as a detriment.

That being said, I must acknowledge that attitude is a trait that is independent of educational level.  Meaning that your knowledge of any skill is of little value if you are unable to amend your application of techniques and skills in a kind and humble manner.  Especially if you are working for someone else's studio, or are under the tutelage of someone else.

When my new website goes live, there will be a link or page of some sort that will have a listing of my relevant experience, and the extent of that experience.  Workshops and classes will be listed and skills learned at each will be explained.  Any freelance jobs will also be posted, but I'm not sure what the best way to list those might be yet.  Perhaps just a list titled "Has freelanced for" will suffice.  But it will be transparent and complete.

So go examine your website, and your attitude.  How does education and the value of continuing education fit in with what you are communicating to others?

We Have No Budget

would you create

something amazing for us

we have no budget

Screenshot from Instagram, from @newrafael (Reposted from @brrch_floral)

When I saw this picture on Instagram, I immediately thought to myself, "Wow, what a great thing for a client to say to you!  No budget?  The sky is the limit!  Now what can I suspend from the ceiling...and how many bunches of sweet peas would be the best."

And then, I noticed the little quips, and silly emoji faces that people had tagged their friends with.  I then realized that people were tagging fellow creatives in a tongue-in-cheek manner.  They took "no budget" as minuscule budget.  Which is more frequently the norm.  And kind of a bummer - on the end of the client and the professional.  

It's no secret: small budgets for large events with big dreams is not easy.  And it's also not really fun to be limited in any way, especially if your client's budget directly affects how much zing and flourish you initially think can go into making their flowers amazing.

Notice that I said initially.  Sometimes after meeting with a client, you need to continue to process the information they've given you, and really hunker down to get the right proposal to them.  I'm sure there are brides and grooms out there who also need to decompress after their many meetings prior to the wedding day.

If you have an budget with no end, then that's awesome!  Email me and we'll knock it out of the park.

But I do have a few suggestions and some intel for folks who may have a smaller budget and want to stretch it as far as possible.  I know several flower folk who agree with these ideas, but I'll bet there are even more out there that I don't know, who have great tips as well.

First, understand the limitation of your budget.  This is part of being self aware, but also part of being realistic.  I am a lot of both of those things.  You may not be able to give each of your eight bridesmaids a substantial bouquet.  Perhaps they carry smaller posies instead.  Giving each groomsmen, father, grandfather, uncle, usher, and chuppah holder a boutonniere could also chip away very slowly and very innocuously into your budget.  Maybe only the groom gets a bout.  That way, he looks snazzy in pictures and gets a little something, since you still get your bridal bouquet.  Maybe you want to allocate more money towards the floral arch that the ceremony and all family photos will be taken in front of, as opposed to a large escort table arrangement.  That's fine too.  You may only get normal, clear glass container votive candles, as opposed to the more pricy rental mercury glass votives.  The candles will still light the table all aglow.  

Second, be flexible with your florist.  Any florist that I've spoken to out there has tons of tips and tricks for ensuring that you get the overall look that you want, without sacrificing your wallet.  Your florist should be happy to edit the proposal as you see fit, but ultimately, they are the expert.  Be honest with them and listen to their recommendations.  

Last of all, I think a positive attitude can go a really long way.  This is a tip for everyone out there.  It's about finding the right florist/caterer/planner/whoever to deliver their magic to you on the wedding day.  Entering into every meeting with a hopeful outlook will go a far way, along with determining if the professional partnership together is a good idea.  For example, I was contacted the other week for a wedding (would have been my first wedding booking ever!) and I had to turn it down.  There were lots of reasons, and I may talk about the ideal client some other time on this blog, but I decided that I was not the best person for their needs.  I referred them to two other florists that would have been more suitable for their wedding, and gave them some helpful (I hope) advice in finding the right florist.  But I still treated them with kindness and heard them out, and hopefully, they don't hate me.  Despite turning their business away, I was still positive with them.  

Whatever your budget, you can have beautiful flowers at your wedding.  It's just a matter of figuring out the best setup and design for the day overall, and working together to refine the proposal.

Any thoughts?  Questions?  Email at alyssa.yukevich@gmail.com

[In other news, I'll be working on my new website for a bit this afternoon!  Get ready to see that by the end of May!]

Little Flower School: Bouquet Intensive, February 2015

I braved a snowstorm two months ago to return home from Brooklyn.  Seriously.  It took 4.5 hours to make it back to Philadelphia, in some really crappy weather.  The drive up only took about 1.5 hours, and it is a really good thing that I had a full tank of gas.

Intimate flower arranging and coffee sipping occurred, as only five ladies, myself included, registered for the class.  Held at the Saipua studio in Red Hook, a wonderfully gorgeous day unfolded indoors as snow fell gently outside.  Sarah and Nicolette were wonderfully kind teachers, but didn't skimp on the constructive criticism in order to better our work.  Attending Little Flower School was a dream of mine for awhile, and I am pleased that I was able to attend a class with the instructors.  Ultimately, I would love to attend a private class with Sarah - I will be accepting donations to my continuing education fund on a rolling basis.

Choosing the color palette was actually my favorite part of this bouquet.  My ideal client is definitely flexible on color, because sometimes the most beautiful flowers available are not the color you're expecting.  The dark purple lace flower and the glowing pink ranunculus are not typically a combination in the shop that I work at, let alone pairing them with umbrella fern.

Fritillaria is one of the most interesting flowers that I've learned about in some time.  The petals have a checkerboard.  I mean, seriously.  That is interesting.

The side view.  Unf.

My second bouquet, after a delicious lunch and champagne, was way more challenging for me.

Having made a moody bouquet, I wanted to do something completely different.  But none of the foliage was speaking to me at all.  Odd, right.  I'm surrounded by abundant beauty in foliage form, and I don't like any of it at that moment.

So Nicolette said to just omit the foliage.  Her challenge to me was to make a bouquet without foliage, swirling color in way that variegated the bouquet from one color to the other.  

This bouquet would not have worked without the hyacinth.  See that it's both pink AND yellow?

And I should confess that I actually didn't want to use it.  I'm not used to hyacinth in bouquets.

But the hyacinth is necessary.

Merry Ostara, and Some Goals

Today is the first day of spring, and as I type these words, I'm watching some really light snow falling out the window.  Having a day off today is doing my heart a lot of good, as is the cup of coffee that I am leisurely consuming.  And the above image?  A picture from the class I recently attended at Saipua.  I was spoiled with some amazing product and creative energy.  I'm learning that it's not the flowers, it's what you actually do with them.  So I'm learning and having fun.  And wanting critique and practice.  

Goals.  There are things that I want to do and create and show the world.  In no particular order, with no particular time frame, here are some current goals.

• Massive focal arrangements.  I want to make huge-ass arrangements in big urns.  Like something that makes people stop and just marvel, and then look closer to see the dozens of varieties of flower in it.  I want branches coming out of it, and vines trailing out of it to pool on the floor or down the stairs.  Let me at 'em.
• Grow flowers.  The lisianthus we started inside has germinated and has been going strong for weeks now.  And most flower farmers just purchase the plugs?  Whatever.  If I can grow it in a living room, you can grow it in a greenhouse or hoophouse or something-house.  We're starting foxglove this weekend inside, possibly a few others.  We were planning on planting hellebore outside, plus nigella and lots of other fun stuff.  But the snow is putting a hold on that for now.
• Try to get out of my head a little.  Communicating with people is difficult.  Especially when I come across as weirdly confident (possibly in a perceived lack of skill on the other end?) or blunt and forward (because I mean what I say and say what I mean - shouldn't everyone?).  But enjoying talking to others more is something I can stand to improve on.  I have thoughts and should share the productive ones.
• Finalize dahlia purchases.  Give me money to spend on tubers please.
• Continue to eat healthy food.  With the exception of the occasional doughnut, Chris and I historically eat really great food.  No falling off the wagon here.  But drinking more water would help.  
• Make consistent deposits in my IRA.  I gained a ton of adult points by opening one for 2014, and lost a lot of money out of my checking account.  But I'm all for tax deductions, and for saving for retirement.  Win-win.  I want to invest in my future by contributing money weekly for 2015.  You should also probably start an IRA, because being financially responsible is attractive.

Happy Ostara!  And cheers to goals and keeping them, or changing them, or just learning from them.

A Question of Demographic

So a lot of things have happened this past week.  A few firsts.

The most exciting, my first solo consultation - on the phone at that!  The couple was just the sweetest.  They live in New York City, but are getting married at an arboretum in Philadelphia.  Met here in the city, and still have ties to it, may eventually return permanently.  Their palette is a far cry from the constant dusty-miller-ivory-blush that I dread hearing.  There's nothing wrong with it, it's just not interesting anymore.  But blue bonnets as a nod to the groom's home state of Texas in the boutonnieres?  That's interesting.  And I love it.  It's sentimental and authentic and thoughtful.  Keep those ideas coming.

Today I have another consultation, but in person this time.  Also alone.  I'm excited.  I like talking to people who want large quantities of flowers.  I like to get excited with them.

It was the first wedding of the year for us at the shop on Saturday night.  Today I get to go back to the venue and pick up all of the pieces.  But there were lots of taper candles, and I'm curious to see how "dripless" they are.  It's all about being vertical, and not leaning.

Another first this week - I was contacted by a dear friend to provide flowers for a bachelorette/bridal shower weekend in September.  It's being held in my old college town, and I am already really excited about it.  I don't want to divulge too much on here, in case the bride-to-be reads the blog.

Another personal first was offering a flower class for my upcoming trip home to Pittsburgh.  However, the only person who has expressed interest in attending is my mother.  I'm planning on bringing some really amazing flowers to her anyway, to show her a bit of what's happening in my world, in person.  But currently, enrollment is essentially at zero percent.  And why?

I attribute it being so low to the demographics of who views my blog or other social media.  Yes, I am capable of running a class, and there's no question that there are people out there somewhere who are interested in attending.  But in terms of demographics, that may not be who I'm currently reaching.  Another element to examine is the cost of the class.  And the cost of flowers in general.  Which deserves its own series of posts.

I struggle in wanting to educate people about the true cost of flowers, and then flipping and thinking that they should just educate themselves if they care enough, and that it's not really something I care to do at this time.  Generally because most people out there either have no idea about what flowers cost, or they think that they do but are actually completely wrong.  Perhaps misled is a better (nicer) way of saying it.  But that's a post for another time, and I honestly don't know where to start on it.  What do you want to hear about, on the topic of the true cost of flowers?

Love and light,

Alyssa

The Class that Never Was?

I was thinking about hosting a flower class in Pittsburgh, and then didn't go through with setting it up at all.  Meaning, I still might host it, but don't know what the market for something like that would be.  If there's any interest at all, I still might host it.  Especially if it's even just held for people that I know and love, with people that they know and love.  Flowers among friends, for fun, sounds like the best thing ever.  Especially when I bring snacks and coffee as well.

No floral experience is needed.  That's how I started out.  Just playing around with flowers.  Some people in the industry really prickle when they hear the phrase "playing with flowers."  I can understand why.  Floral design isn't all play.  It's about being an artist, and working diligently, long hours, and having a backbone of steel in moment where your integrity and ideas are challenged.  But sometimes, you just need to play.  And it's ok to call it what it is.

Mason Jar Arrangement 101

Saturday, March 14, 2015

1pm to 3:30pm

Location: TBA

Cost: $65

Class includes a lovely purple Ball mason jar in which to make your arrangement.

Florals will be the most delicious domestic, Dutch, and Japanese imports.

The refreshments served will also be delicious, and edible.  

Flowers not recommended to be eaten.  Just admired.

To reserve your spot, please email alyssa.yukevich@gmail.com.

Minimum enrollment of 6.

And there you have it.  The class that may never happen.  But maybe it will.  And maybe I'll see you there.

If you have a question, fire away or email me at the above address.  I'd love to talk about it!

Love and light,

Alyssa