Team Flower

LeeAnn is talking about seeds versus tubers and she’s sharing in detail how the process of hybridization works. You’ll hear about the various types and forms of dahlias as well as a short list of the dahlias you must grow. And, of course, what is a Team Flower Podcast without a bit of inspiration along with education? This week, it comes in the form of how florist can support their local farmers, what it looks like to pause in your business’s growth to bloom yourself, and how to give and receive grace within a partnership. Listeners, this episode is loaded!

You’ll be inspired by Jen’s gift with words as she shares her experience on her parents’ farm growing up and how that propelled her into various stages of life eventually leading to flowers. Jen is sharing the keys to giving oneself permission to carry out actions from a passionate heart. You’ll hear about the symbiotic relationship between creativity and wellness and how to lean into that for your own life. Jen is calling florists to action in taking care of themselves and she’s providing tips on how to do that well with community, support, education, healing, movement, and nourishment.

In this episode, Lewis is chatting about a few of his most memorable flower flashes and how the flashes have evolved throughout the years. As you listen, you’ll be encouraged to love on your own community through your work with flowers!

Atlanta based Shean Strong joins us in this episode of the Team Flower Podcast. We are talking about the importance of embracing the power that flowers hold in changing the ambiance of an entire room. Shean is sharing about his culturally rich background and how that now plays out in his floral designs as well as how he maintains an open view of floral design. We are also walking through a few simple fixes designers can make to increase the visual appeal of their arrangements. You'll learn the in's and out's of connecting with other business in your community and using those connections to successfully conduct a flower pop-up. Shean is giving us the scoop behind his Valentine's Day pop-up at a popular venue in downtown Atlanta - from how he wrapped the hand-tied bouquets to which flowers he used.

Shawn Chamberlain is the founder and director of The Full Bloom, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the mental and emotional health of individuals dealing with death, terminal illness, and other life-changing illnesses and conditions. Shawn blends her two passions seamlessly in her work with the nonprofit—flowers and people.

Team Flower Member Marla Bixler joins Kelly on this episode of the podcast! With years of experience in the industry, Marla has much knowledge to share. She’s starting by chatting about rebranding and how to know whether this avenue is right or needed in your business. Next, she and Kelly are discussing an essential skill for floral designers: problem-solving. One must be adaptable and able to incorporate a plan b (or even plan c) at a moment’s notice. Lastly, you’ll hear about Marla’s unique and lovely pivot in the midst of COVID. There’s no doubt you’ll be inspired! Marla Bixler of Bixler Blooms is a full service bridal florist specializing in garden-inspired designs and wearable floral jewelry. During the recent nationwide shutdown, Marla began a handmade paper flower division. Working with the medium of crepe paper has given her another opportunity to love the world with flowers. I am now incorporating them into my weddings as well as selling them locally and on Etsy. View her work at www.bixlerblooms.com and on Instagram at @bixlerblooms and @bixlerpaperblooms.

Alyssa and her team specialize in floral design for weddings and events, and this year they were excited to open a brick and mortar storefront and added flower deliveries to their services! They have also added an online floral class subscription to their offerings! Follow them on Instagram at @colortheorydesignco or visit their website.

You’ll also hear about the following topics: Growing tweedia—fun facts and how to harvest Seed starting: indoors or outdoors (and why) How to combat disease on your plants One thing farmers wish designers knew Petal Pink Flower Farm is a family owned farm growing cut flowers in Oregon's Willamette Valley. We sell our flowers to local florists and flower lovers, with the goal of bringing them varieties and colors that are otherwise hard to find. You can find us on Instagram @PetalPinkFlowers and online at PetalPinkFlowers.com.

Joining Kelly today is Lacy Trunnell. Lacy leads a small student run floral shop out of Red Bluff High School in Red Bluff, California. She offers both introductory and advanced floral design courses where students learn everything from the principles and elements of color theory to tools of the trade—and so many things in between. The advanced floral class even designs, markets, and prepares for local and school events throughout the school year! Lacy is chatting about her special and unique teaching program and her amazing students! She’s training the next generation of floral designers and it is so exciting to hear about the work they’re doing. Hear from Lacy on what skills are necessary for beginning designers as well as the importance of duplication. You’ll learn how they’re navigating COVID as a school, and how you can participate! If you’re interested in joining Lacy in her endeavor to pour into the next generation, click the red chat button to inquire.

Sarah is sharing her top 4 tools for installs, a few ideas they’re tossing around, and why dahlias should be used for installs. At Triple Wren Farms, Sarah and her team grow dahlia tubers, fresh cut flowers, and offer workshops at the farm in Ferndale, Washington. They ship their dahlia tubers to all 50 states, and share tips for growing dahlias on their website and social media (@triplewrenfarms). We’re celebrating with them as they conducted a 3-day Dahlia Camp workshop at the farm for growers and designers, and their third annual Dahlia Festival this past September!

Paulina is a former high school language teacher—and even though lesson planning fed her creative soul and being around people satisfied her extrovert personality—she wanted to take on a new adventure. After much thought, she realized that flowers (something she's loved since she was a child) would be that outlet. She offers clients in the Tri-State area floral decor for events, group and private floral design workshops, florals for editorials, floral styling, and florals for photoshoots. Paulina is so excited to be working on a special project involving the studio and delving deeper into the floral education world—because once a teacher, always a teacher! Connect with Paulina on Instagram at @bluejasminefloral.

Menagerie Farm & Flower is a farm and nursery specializing in garden roses, specialty flowers, French prunes, assorted stone fruits, nuts, and rice all on over 100 acres of California farmland. They supply both the retail and wholesale marketplaces. Felicia is the founder of Menagerie, and in addition to farming, she shares her two decades of experience and passion with both beginning and experienced gardeners and farmers from across the country with online 1:1 coaching and in-person farm courses.

Carly Williams joins Kelly for an episode full of interesting topics! They’re discussing each of the following: - The importance of flexibility with your flower choices - The impact of flowers on those who have never received them - Carly’s go-to snacks - Why hydration (of your body!) is crucial for event design - Tips for working with corporate brands

Amanda Luu is the co-founder of Studio Mondine, a San Francisco based design studio with an emphasis on design, education, and community-building. As a self-professed minimalist, Amanda seeks to explore simple yet striking flowers in her work. The Studio Mondine aesthetic can best be described as a negotiation between the wild, overgrown English garden with the intentional precision of Japanese ikebana. We’re excited to announce the release of her book, Ikebana Unbound, with Artisan Books on September 2020!

Kalin and her team at Sweetwater Floral have flowered for more than 150 events in Northern Michigan. The farm is where she and her family live, create, and host intimate small events and workshops that others can attend. Her obsession with the "moments in life that matter" is what led her to create this brand five years ago. Flowers on the table with the candles burning down and glassware clinking as a champagne cork pops is Kalin’s version of actual heaven. Follow along with her on Instagram @sweetwaterfloral.