Sussex Grown

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All over Sussex there are flower farms popping up. At the school we continue to show our support for British flowers by using locally grown flowers throughout the year. This year we are delighted that lots of farms are being developed by students who have studied at Flourish Sussex. Today we are highlighting Sidnye Flowers, Pitfields Cutting Garden and Nettlewood Flowers

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Buy local, better price, better for the planet.

Buying locally not only reduces your carbon footprint, but I truly believe there is nothing more glorious than walking around a flower farm and selecting the flowers that you are going to work with. If you don't know where your nearest farm is go to flowersofthefarm website and type in your postcode.

Here's some more info about the farms we are highlighting:

  • Nettlewood Flowers: Sarah is based in Laughton and supplies a lot of London florists. She is in high demand so booking is essential. Her flowers are beautifully delicate, romantic and unique shades. https://www.instagram.com/nettlewoodflowers/

  • Pitfields Cutting Garden. The super lovely Emma runs Pitfields in Hurstpierpoint. This is a large cutting garden, which is still expanding. Look out for their cafe opening in 2022 and make a day of visiting. https://www.instagram.com/pitfieldbarnflowers/

  • Sidnye Flowers. Vicki trained with me last year and it is so exciting that she has now launched her own cutting garden. Based at Sidnye Farm in Cuckfield although Vicki only started her garden this year, there is already a huge amount to choose from. Get in contact to arrange a visit or to buy a bucket. https://www.instagram.com/sidnyeflowers/

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We are always keen at the school to keep informing our students about growing. One of the best recommendations I can give if you are keen to get growing, is to visit Flower Florets website . Here Erin has a lot of information, books and workshops regarding how to get going.

Watch this space as I will be sharing my interview with Vicki of Sidnye Flowers as she talks all about the successes, challenges and any advice she can give to all you wannabe growers out there.

Enjoy the last few days of July.

Alicia xx

Block Printing & June News

June has arrived. British flowers are in their element showing off in all their glory and I absolutely love it!! To say things have been busy here would be an understatement. At long last my dreams have turned into a reality and I am moving the school into a new permanent premises. This of course is incredibly exciting but a tad daunting. It was used as a gym so I busy transforming the space, waiting to open the doors once again to more flower lovers.

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My vision is to create a floral haven. Where people can come and be transported into a creative and beautiful place. That’s the hope anyway!

This month we have also launched our subscription service The Art of Floral Designing. This has also been something that I have been longing to do. I feel like you can never stop learning. Learning new techniques, getting inspired, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. This is what The Art of Floral Designing is all about. I want all flower lovers to be able to share in my love for this industry. I hope by sharing tutorials, interviews and general advice it will give everyone on going inspiration and education.

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This month I really excited to launch our first non floristry based class; block printing. During lockdown the only thing that I was able to do besides looking after my children was to block print. I found it so relaxing and mindful, so I am delighted to share this craft with my students. As part of the day students will begin by pressing flowers, then we will look at block printing. Using traditional Indian wooden blocks, students will get to create beautiful images using an array colour palates. While the art work is drying, guests can enjoy a glass of fizz before framing their pressed flowers and then framing their artwork.

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We still have a couple of places left on our block printing class so why not come and join us.

I am looking forward to sharing with you all images of the flowers school which is only twenty minutes from Brighton and forty minutes from London.

Alicia xx

Featherington Spring Wreath Making

Many thanks for choosing one of our Featherington spring wreath kits to make. I hope you enjoy making it, I found it to be very relaxing.

Firstly ensure that when your box arrives if you are not making your wreath straight away put the eucalyptus in some water and store somewhere dry and everything else also needs to be kept somewhere cool and dry also.

When you are ready do the following:

  • Clear a space, kitchen table is ideal.

  • You will need a good pair of scissors.

  • It’s a good idea to create ten to twelve clusters of flowers and foliage before you start (use the video to help).

Step one:

Tie your string to the top of your wreath.

Step Two

Create your clusters. Try to place foliage and bigger pieces at the bottom and then add more decorative items on top. Each cluster doesn’t have to be the same. Be careful with the daisies, they are delicate! Enjoy creating beautiful bunches and place them on the workbench. Make sure the bottom of your clusters are free from leaves and stems are bare.

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Step three:

You want to start placing your clusters at the top of your wreath, use the video to help. Take your first cluster and bring it in at an angle so the stems are coming towards the centre of your wreath frame and your flowers are on the outer part. With your wire wrap around the stems tightly to your frame. I find going around three times ensures that it is fully secure. Ensure that you end of your wire is fully secure and attached to one of the vines of your frame.

One the cluster is firmly in place fan out the flowers.

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Step Four

One you have secured your first cluster it is now time to add your next one. You want to add the second in exactly the same way, bringing the stems in towards the centre of the wreath and the flowers on the outer wreath frame, but this time you want to ensure when you place your second cluster the flowers cover the mechanics of the first cluster, refer to the video for more instructions.

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Step Five

You want to keep placing your clusters in exactly the same way as your first until you get towards your half way point.


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Step Six

Once you are at the bottom, hold your ribbon roughly in the middle, pinch the centre, make one loop on the left side and then one on the right, take your wire and twist around the centre of the wreath to hold it together and then wrap the wire around your frame. If this is too tricky then simply wrap your ribbon around the frame and create a bow.

There you have it your Featherington wreath is complete. This wreaths are better suited to being outside, but can be kept inside. Give your wreath a good shake before you take it outside to ensure you have attached the flowers and foliage on tightly enough. The eucalyptus will dry and become a crispy texture and over many moths the flower colour will start to fade.

Bridgerton Spring Wreath Making

Many thanks for choosing one of our Bridgerton spring wreath kits to make. I hope you enjoy making it, I found it to be very relaxing.

Firstly ensure that when your box arrives if you are not making your wreath straight away put the eucalyptus in some water and store somewhere dry and everything else also needs to be kept somewhere cool and dry also.

When you are ready do the following:

  • Clear a space, kitchen table is ideal.

  • You will need a good pair of scissors.

  • It’s a good idea to create ten to twelve clusters of flowers and foliage before you start (use the video to help).

Step one:

Tie your string to the top of your wreath.

Step Two

Create your clusters. Try to place foliage and bigger pieces at the bottom and then add more decorative items on top. Each cluster doesn’t have to be the same. Be careful with the daisies, they are delicate! Enjoy creating beautiful bunches and place them on the workbench. Make sure the bottom of your clusters are free from leaves and stems are bare.

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Step three:

You want to start placing your clusters at the top of your wreath, use the video to help. Take your first cluster and bring it in at an angle so the stems are coming towards the centre of your wreath frame and your flowers are on the outer part. With your wire wrap around the stems tightly to your frame. I find going around three times ensures that it is fully secure. Ensure that the end of your wire is fully secure and attached to one of the vines of your frame.

Once the cluster is firmly in place fan out the flowers.

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Step Four

One you have secured your first cluster it is now time to add your next one. You want to add the second in exactly the same way, bringing the stems in towards the centre of the wreath and the flowers on the outer wreath frame, but this time you want to ensure when you place your second cluster the flowers cover the mechanics of the first cluster, refer to the video for more instructions.

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Step Five

You want to keep placing your clusters in exactly the same way as your first until you get towards your half way point.

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Step Six

Once you are at the bottom, hold your ribbon roughly in the middle, pinch the centre, make one loop on the left side and then one on the right, take your wire and twist around the centre of the wreath to hold it together and then wrap the wire around your frame. If this is too tricky then simply wrap your ribbon around the frame and create a bow.

There you have it your Bridgerton wreath is complete. This wreaths are better suited to being outside, but can be kept inside. Give your wreath a good shake before you take it outside to ensure you have attached the flowers and foliage on tightly enough. The eucalyptus will dry and become a crispy texture and over many moths the flower colour will start to fade.

Hello 2021!

Happy New Year to you all. It is probably not the start that we all hoped for and yet again we find ourselves in lockdown, but in January. But there seems hope which was lacking some what last spring and I want to thank all the NHS staff who are working so tirelessly on the front lines.

For me it’s all about homeschooling my two boys and keeping my four year old daughter entertained. This can often leave me completely exhausted and drained emotionally. I do believe I feel better equipped to deal with this lockdown. Last spring taught me a lot, mainly not to put too much pressure on myself and also to realise what we are all going through is very difficult and we have our own personal struggles and stories that might not be publicised. So whatever you are going through at the moment I hope you take pleasure in the small things and finding some comfort in nature and your surroundings.

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Bringing the Outdoors Inside: This is something I love to do at this time of year, so when the Christmas decorations are down I fill the house with spring bulbs and plants so that there is feeling of new life and hope for brighter days. During lockdown we will be running a series of free floristry tutorials. All aimed at getting you to get creative with bits that you have in your garden or can collect on your walks. The tutorials will be available to watch through our Instagram page and I will also be uploading them onto our youtube channel.

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This year we are also excited to be expanding our online store. We are now stocking gorgeous botanical products by Rifle. Choose from Tote bags, pens, stationary, party wear. There are going to be a lovely selection of products coming so watch this space.

Also in our shop we are delighted to be stocking the most beautiful floral cards by artist Alison Field of Blossom Beau Field. I discovered Ali’s work through a friend. I adore her work and I am super excited to be selling the most beautiful collection of floral display and cut flower gift cards. If you are anything like me I love to have a set of gifts in the drawer and I also love to display them. Check out one of my favourites that I bought for myself I have displayed it on our gallery wall.

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Ali’s cards are available through our gift shop and are sold in packs of five, each with a beautiful unique design. Simply click here to view the collect.

If you love her work, which let’s face it who wouldn’t, then check out her instagram account and see more of her beautiful collection of prints.

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This year we are also excited to be offering a subscription service. We hope to bring students three designs each month to keep your creative flare going and to learn new techniques. We will also be launching our own set of table ware so that you can create a truly beautiful table display for those very special events. First one coming on Mothers Day!

I hope everyone stays well and remember Spring is on its way!

Alicia x