Floral Frolics and Creative Courses

I had the best couple of hours on Sunday morning teaching my lovely day course pupil, Julie, how to make an eco-friendly foam-free meadow-inspired arrangement in the garden studio. It kicked off at 1 pm when she arrived, and we had a mooch round the garden to look at all the different growing areas. Admiring all the plants which looked happy and healthy in full flower, like the Sweet Williams and roses. And discussing why some were not so happy, like the stocks that have been attacked by a particularly heavy infestation of flea beetle!!

Next we grabbed a bucket and our snips and took time to select our favourite flowers, considering colour, texture and form. I explained the best way to cut and condition flowers to get the best vase life from them and why picking them to arrange straight into a vase, as we were doing that morning, isn’t advisable, so we would have to forgive a couple that might rebel at being treated this way!!

Once our buckets were full and we were happy with our selection, we headed into the studio. I toddled off to make a cuppa and grab some cake before demonstrating how to make a meadow-inspired, wild and free, fire-flowing arrangement in a vintage vase. We discussed the different mechanics that can be used and the many vessels that make great containers for meadow box arrangements. On this occasion, I had selected a couple of vintage vases for Julie to choose from and take home with her creation.

So while she sipped herbal tea picked straight from the garden and some delicious brownies (which all helps to keep the creative juices flowing!) I showed her how I use chicken wire squished into my chosen vessel to support the stems, and make the arrangement nice and light and airy. The chicken wire can be used over and over again; so although it has been through a manufacturing process, it is certainly not a one-trick pony. I use the same sections of chicken wire over and over for different arrangements and always encourage my pupils and customers to do the same.

After my demo, it was Julie’s turn to give it a go. The joy with teaching a 1-2-1 course is that you can give a person your full attention and guidance. This was her first time arranging flowers in this way, so we were able to discuss what makes a good display, and some of the little tricks I’ve picked up over the years, like getting things to stay where you put them and building a picture in the vase.

I think you’ll agree from the pictures that she certainly had a natural way with the flowers and her arrangement looked lovely…

Even if I say so myself, it certainly is a delightful way to spend a couple of hours being totally immersed in the garden, looking at the plants and how I grow them, listening to the birds and then immersing yourself in the creative process in the studio. For those couple of hours, you really don’t think about anything else, and it can just be such a nice break from a hectic and somewhat turbulent world.

You won’t be surprised, from the thread of this newsletter, to now find a list of the rest of the courses scheduled for this year. I have tried to mix them up a bit and to invite other creatives to come and join me in delivering two-part courses. These might be art or jewellery making, or something that’s connected to the flowers but also teaches another skill.

£98

For the next workshop, I’m actually going out and about over to Jo’s (Wild Indigo Sound Healing) beautiful garden and meadow in Priors Marston to co-host a workshop combining flower arranging and a wonderfully relaxing sound bath session. This is a first for me, but I just know it’s going to be such a lovely four hours in such a special space and Jo will be the perfect host.

£90

Local artist, Juliet Nichols-Wood, joins me in the studio for a creative botanical workshop inspired by the garden. Using freshly gathered flowers and foliage, you’ll create beautiful cyanotype sun prints — a timeless photographic process that captures delicate botanical silhouettes in rich blue tones.

After printing, I will show you how to design and arrange a seasonal floral arrangement to take home and enjoy. Spend a relaxed creative session surrounded by nature and seasonal blooms. There'll be refreshments and time to chill in the summerhouse, taking in the beautiful view, so you'll leave feeling refreshed and invigorated.

I haven’t run this course before, but I am very much looking forward to it and having a go at Cyanotype myself!

£145 (discount when booking for 2)

This will be the second time Emily Sidwell and I have run this course after a wonderful session in March where I actually made a brass flower which I am over the moon with. Emily will demo how to make a wax cast flower that will then be used to create a brass flower, which can either be made into a pendant or, as in my case, a flower stem.

I’ll be showing you how to make an autumnal arrangement using the best of what is in the cutting garden on the day, and of course you will be taking your arrangement home with you to enjoy.

I’d love to welcome as many of you as possible to the garden studio for some “me” time. Spaces are limited as I like to keep the classes intimate for a more relaxing experience, so booking early is advisable.

To Book a Course Click HERE

If you have a group of friends or family you would love to spend a few hours of relaxation and creative floral fun with in the garden studio, please drop me a message. I can tailor the morning or afternoon to your specific needs, accommodating 4-8 people.

Use Cyanotype10 at the checkout this June to save 10% on the Botanical Cyanotype & Floral Design workshop.

Meanwhile, enjoy your June garden, whatever the unpredictable weather brings!