Just a little Pretty....

I stalked Ann Marie until she took these pictures of this little Fritillaria arrangement I made before we left a party she hosted at her gallery. Now, some people say they have a funky scent, and yes, most fritillaries contain poisonous alkaloids - but they are so darn pretty!

October Featured Artist: Shari Sikora

Great Florist - Terrible Blogger....but as I catch up and try to my posts I am pouring over the gorgeous images that photographers have so graciously emailed me I don't think I have taken the time to brag about the local artists that I like to include in my designs. So let me take a moment and introduce Clay Artist Shari Sikora.

Her artist statement starts out "I am an artist; it’s not what I do, but simply who I am and always have been." and it is so true. What she "Does" and how I met her is via Valley Press Inc. (a family owned custom pre-press, printing and finishing company I use in Bala Cynwd, PA. where she creates amazing designs and keeps me coming back because she reads my mind - especially when I lose my nouns.)

But I digress! Here is what she really does...

What she is, is an amazing artist who creates wonderful pieces in clay & uses the Raku method of firing. Ironically Raku means "enjoyment" or "ease" - which fits in perfectly since she says that "from the first day she touched clay she loved it."

You have seen her work in a number of shots (courtesy of AMC) where I used her fridge magnets as place setting decor. I have pretty much stalked her shows to purchase all the teal and gold flower button magnets. Each one is unique with vintage button centers she has lovingly selected from her mother's extensive (and I mean huge yet meticulously organized) collection. In addition to the local craft shows, you can see Shari's work regularly at the Potters Guild as well as Earth & State in Media, PA.

Support local art! Buy some pottery today!

Unpublished Gem No.1: IVC Open House March 2011

I miss you so much! Here is another post that got 1/2 way done before I got distracted by beautiful flowers and lovely brides...way back on...OMG! March 16th! Yikes! I am feeling some particular stress since we just wrapped up the October Open House at the IVC & I am worried AMC will hold the new images hostage! (Just kidding ...sort of...) Anyway check out these unpublished gems...

Ann Marie Casey (AMC) has been a busy photographer, here are a few real shots from our previously mentioned Open House at the Independence Visitor's Center (IVC) below. Check out the slides show to the right for more details. During set up she was 'yelling' at me to stop...I thought I had her behind schedule, but really she said "...I kept giving her too many things to shoot!" I met a lot of super cute brides at this event and booked 3 weddings! (which by now I am sure I should be posting their pics!)

 

You know how I like to rock out a "Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall" theme for open houses not only because I like to torture myself by trying to find out of season flowers but because it give visiting guests an idea of what their wedding could look like depending on when they get married! 

Winter

 

 Spring

 

Summer

Fall

Thank You IVC for showcasing the Grand Hall, Liberty Ballroom and Terrace, Brulee Catering for the delish dishes...

 ....and Isgro's Paticceria for my cake fix!

Blog Gem: 2011 Philadelphia Flower Show | Campbell Studios Presents

Amazing Spring Events = Beautiful Parties > No Social Media ~ Where did Spring go?! 

I have to admit I was feeling so on top of technology - I had a whirl wind of Facebooking, Twittering, LinkedIn and Blogging...then I got my hands dirty....I started this post in May and now it's the middle of June August September October! How does everyone do it?!

There have been so many great events, lovely brides and fun projects - lets start with one previously unpublished gem of a posting that was super fun: Campbell Studios presents at the Philadelphia Flower Show. PHS set up a round platform presentation area where different designers/floral artists from the area were invited to give a demo for a few hours.

The Philadelphia International Flower Show 2011was March 6 - 13th where "Springtime in Paris" had everyone itching for a sign of warmer days. I had the opportunity to 'present' in the Designer Showcase. I invited Ann Marie (AMC Photography) to come and capture Kristie and I in action.

 Now, while I am not short of opinions and my 'Girl Friday' Kristie knows more flower names than I do after 20 years in the business - we don't actually like to be onstage. (Or on camera for that matter - so AMC had to go undercover.) So we transformed the round stage that we were supposed to speak from and turned it into the platform for the flowers and we mixed and mingles with the crowd!
We had so much fun!

 

Our plan was to give people a tip that they can take and actually do themselves. Something that they could go home, try & say with pride "I made that!" I filled my garden trolley up with my personal collection of vintage containers, ash trays, vases and buckets so I could show people how to design in regular containers - things they may already have.
All we needed was a rubberband to make these people feel like Martha Stewart!

 

And we were worried no one would come see us...we were wrong!
People were taking notes!

 We were nervous at first, but had a really great time! See you next year! XOXO Kristie & Judith

We gave away these little DIY Tip Sheets - I just know everyone ran home and tried their hands at floral design when they went home!