DownTheRabbitHole Intro

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DownTheRabbitHole

New Member
Aug 17, 2011
4
3
0
Epsom
State / Prov
NH
Hello everyone, my name is Melissa Tetrault. My business in the floral industry is new concepts and design. I am trying to get a "How To" book together with photos and step by step instructions on floral composites and wire work for prom and wedding season. My website is based on Lewis Carroll's, Alice In Wonderland and focuses on generating new styles and designs that are both imaginative and easy to make. http://www.facebook.com/DownTheRabbitHole.Wonderland

I work as a floral designer in a large flower shop in Manchester, NH and I also work at a high school where I am on way to becoming a horticulture and floral design teacher. I have graduated with a vocation in horticulture, an associates degree in environmental horticulture and a BA in English. I have been working in the flower business for 12 years.

Let me know what you think of my website please:) So come on and follow me down the rabbit hole... My distorted view of life through artistic endeavors.
 
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In the floral business, we wear many hats, Wearing my designer/artist hat, I love the concept of your work.....creative, imaginative, and fun. However, If I switch to the production designer hat ( which we wear when we need to get the last minutes on the truck, or we need 30 centerpeices for Ms. GotMuchobucks reception, then I look at the work presented and wonder how quickly they can be made and could they be made repetitive? Then, if I switch to the businessman hat, I look at these and wonder...For all their creaticity, Are they sellable through phone, walk-in, cash and carry, etc. Can I alter the concept of this or that design and use a carnation, if my customer does not want to pay an orchid price?

I am hoping that this comes across as not negative, but we have to balance many things......to make our businesses work and for us to continue to create, and 'play' with the fun of flowers while still paying our bills.
 
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I appreciate you taking the time to look at some of my work! I understand all about fast production and most of my designs take less time then if I was going to use the traditional wire and tape method. We all know when prom time comes around there is a lot of time put into prepping boxes, bows, etc... I do the same thing with my designs. As the orders come in, in advance, I prep all the wire, bead work and bow. Then I use corsage glue to attach the flower(s). If I am making a flower composite I usually use broken or older flowers and scraps.

Now if customer wanted to use a less expensive flower like a carnation instead of an orchid, that is fine as well. You can break the carnation up or compile two (older) carnations together and why not add a shattered daisy in as well. You can use the petals to create depth or make an interesting pattern around or in your new flower. There are many options!!

OOOHHH the ever finicky customer:) On your off months create some unique designs, photograph them, put them in a binder with a price and start showing them. Before taking out a traditional book, take out your designs and educate the customer. Over the phone is trickier but not impossible... it's all about asking colors, creating the atmosphere of "trust" the designer and suggesting new ideas. If a customer asks for a white spray rose corsage why not ask, "what color jewelry are you going to wear?" (add wire or rhinestones to match). It can be harder to sell newer things to an older crowd but the younger crowd loves it. A composite corsage can go from $25 -45 and doesn't take any longer than a regular glued spray rose corsage.

I hope I didn't ramble on too much but I do think about these things all the time:) I know we are all going through tough economic times and we have to work harder and faster to get and keep our customers but I think people are ready for change!
 
Melissa, welcome to the FlowerChat Community.... we're glad to have you join us...

Tried to look at your page, but it was unavailable this morning....

Enjoy your visit ~!
 
Melissa, I was able to access your facebook page and looked at every single photo in every album. I adore your fun and quirky body flowers, your creative talent shines in the close-up details of those.

In the light-up album that just shows different wires with a gem in the center. Does the crinkly wire actually have tiny lights or is it the reflection of light because of the crinkles? Inquiring artists want to know!

I remember a time when I got to play with flowers, it was so much fun!
 
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Thank you all for the warm welcome!!
Linda the wire flowers are a combination of a a silver wire, a copper bullion wire and a sparkly bead. I might have spray glittered it and then the flash from my camera phone made it look lite up. In that album the only flower that has a light is the red flower composite. That's used with a submersible light, two broken carnations and a tulip:)
 
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