Mama’s That Flower
When did you train at Flourish Sussex Flower School?
Sam: I started my training October of 2020.
Liv: I did all my training in 2021. I met Sam on the Business Course and the rest is history!
What did you love most about your time at Flourish?
Looking back on our time at the school the experience and knowledge given from Alicia, puts you on the right path and ignites your passion to step into your floral dreams.
What do you love most about floristry?
The thing we love most about floral design is being able to work with beautiful flowers, especially British grown and creating, designing and executing dreamy florals for fabulous occasions. We also love an event and meeting new people, sharing what we’ve learnt with others so our workshops give the perfect balance.
What have you got going on at the moment?
We have a busy summer ahead with weddings at some stunning locations. Along with a couple of fun floral crown workshops!
Instagram: Mama's That Flower
Made with Grace Floral Designs
‘Training at Flourish gave me confidence to be more creative with colour, texture and form with freedom to design outside of the ‘rules’ of traditional floristry. I’m so pleased I was taught this way and became part of the lovely Flourish community’.
Clementines Floral
‘My journey into floristry started with Alicia at Flourish and I haven’t looked back. Alicia taught me to find my own style. Her tips and tricks are still so useful today. I then attended a 1:1 with Alicia and it was the push I needed. We sat down and about web design, she gave examples of how a website should flow. She encouraged me to use Facebook and it was here I got my first wedding. I have a lot to thank Alicia for. I’ll never stop learning and hope to be back at the school in the future. ‘
Studio By Sown:
“Enrolling in the Flourish Sussex career change course last year was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Since completing the course I’ve been able to get freelance work, had the opportunity to style brands and launched my wedding business. Not only did I learn sustainable, modern floristry, but I’ve received ongoing support and made friends for life’.
Blooming Mad Surrey
‘We spent a glorious week learning with Flourish Sussex in June 2021-we opted for the Foundation course which was such fun and we have stayed in contact with all of the talented florists from our course. It’s great to have the network- we all offer each other help and advice.
Alicia has a wealth of knowledge and her teaching style is relaxed. She offers guidance but also very much encourages you to explore and find your own floristry style. We have kept in touch, leading to work experience opportunities and a fun networking evening. The flowers we used on the course were stunning and it’s safe to say we did not want the week to end!’
Tangle and Wild
I did the Foundation Course at Flourish Sussex Flower School in April 2021 having decided to reinstate a cutting garden in my 9 acre mature country garden. A year later having been freelancing and working jointly on weddings during 2021 and early 2022, I did the Wedding course.
Question time:
What was the best part about the school?
The incredible network of talented alumni. Alicia has created a fabulously supportive, collaborative community of creatives.
Biggest high so far?
Impossible to choose a single moment or event: it’s difficult to beat the emotion I experience when seeing the joy of somebody unexpectedly receiving a Tangle & Wild bouquet and knowing I have sustainably grown, gathered, curated and styled those flowers.
Flowers that you love to grow and the ones you stay clear of?
I love the wild & whimsical flowers that having a mature country garden provides which might not ordinarily be grown in a cutting garden, flowers that you just can’t buy at wholesale for example magnolia which bloomed perfectly & prolifically for Mothers Day this year. I love the swift changing of the seasons, just as you get bored of one variety the season moves on & brings new delights! Nothing in my garden is safe from my snips!
What advice would you give to anyone thinking of signing up to a course at Flourish.
Don’t hesitate to sign up-you won’t regret it! Keep an open mind, absorb the creativity, listen, watch, learn; pursue your own style.
And finally what does the next few months look like for Tangle & Wild?
The next couple of months are busy with weddings, providing florists with wholesale flowers, hopefully hand tie bouquet orders & planning & sowing seeds for 2023 has already begun!
For more gorgeous floral designs & to check out Maria’s beautiful cutting garden have a look at her lovely grid @tangleandwild
Blossom and Bee
When and what did you study at Flourish Sussex?
I took part in the first ever career course at Flourish Sussex back in September 2018. After completing what was then the ten week Beginners course I was hooked and went on to sign up for the Intermediate course straight away.
The best part about the school?
I loved studying at Flourish Sussex. You have the opportunity to learn from Alicia’s years of experience, using the most beautiful ingredients, whilst being given the freedom to break ‘the rules of floristry’ and find your own style.
What’s been your biggest high so far?
The biggest high for me is receiving positive feedback about my flowers, particularly from my wedding couples. Knowing that I have understood and delivered their vision is a huge thrill.
Tells us what flowers do you love to grow and ones you stay clear of?
I love growing my own flowers, and this year I’ve been experimenting on my new allotment where I’m growing cosmos, delphiniums, sweet peas and dahlias. Flower farming is a huge amount of hard work, so it’s just something I do for my own enjoyment, but I love using British flowers whenever possible. I’m very lucky to have some amazing growers on my doorstep and I take my hat off to all British flower farmers dealing with our unpredictable weather!
What advice you would give anyone thinking of signing up to a course at Flourish?
Go for it! Floristry is my happy place, and I’m really lucky that I’ve finally managed to turn it into a business.
And finally what does the next few months look like for Blossom and Bee?
I have a few more weddings coming up this summer, and some freelancing jobs for other fantastic local florists. I’m also getting enquiries for 2023 and 2024 weddings now, which is really exciting. And I’m looking forward to planning my stall at the next @hurstvillagemarket on 3rd September.
To check out more of Karen’s beautiful work hop over to her grid @blossomandbeefloristry
Florals by Katy
✨When did go to Flourish and what did you study?
After completing a ‘traditional’ floristry course at college I went to Flourish in July 2021 for an open morning. I knew instantly I wanted to continue my floristry career with Alicia at her school; somewhere unique and special and somewhere you can let your creative ideas flow. I went on to attend the large installation course, the foundation course, and the business course in 2021. I then attended the Wedding Course in April this year.
✨What do you love most about floristry?
Floristry is my happy place, it’s allows me to express myself and get creative. I feel extremely grateful to be able to work with such beautiful florals, especially when they’re locally grown.
Most importantly, I love seeing the smiles on peoples faces and receiving kind feedback when they receive something I’ve created, it’s a pretty special feeling.
✨The best part about Flourish Sussex?
The people, and the encouragement from Alicia to be yourself and find your style. I’ve met some incredibly talented, wonderful women whilst being at the school, my floral journey would not be the same without them.
Alicia has built such a fabulous community and provided invaluable experience and support to me in my floristry journey.
✨What’s been your biggest high so far?
My biggest high so far; earlier this year when I received a message to say I had been nominated as ‘Best Florist’ in the Muddy Stilettos local business awards - something I would have never thought would happen, a real pinch yourself moment!
✨What advice would you give to anyone thinking of doing a course at Flourish Sussex?
Go for it, be yourself and let your creative side flourish!
✨What’s install for Florals by Katy in the next few months?
With British flower season coming to an end soon, I will be focusing on some more dried floral creations, Christmas wreaths and installations, and planning for the upcoming weddings I have in 2023/24!
To see more of Katy’s beautiful creations pop on over to @floralsbykaty