Originally Posted by treen

The Initial Enquiry
This is a bit of a mine field ...... it puts you on the spot and if the creative juicy aren’t flowing it can catch you unawares.

Rule 1) take a breath and chat to them... ask them about the significance of the enquiry to the deceased ...and most importantly try to visualise the finished article made out of flowers. I have my computer at the table and my best friend Mr Google is really helpful. I quite often search for a suitable image while I’ve got the customer in store..... it allows a bit of thinking time and helps with the visualisation.

Rule 2) Know your limitations ...... bold cartoon type images and objects are relatively easy ....... real life creatures are much harder, whether they are 3D or done as a picture. I never quote under £100 for anything I can’t do on a bog standard frame or a flat piece of board. The dart board was a simple shape but quite detailed so I quoted £125. Materials wise there is very little in it but it took me about 2/3 hours to do, which is about what I expected.

Rule 3) Be honest with your customer! I had an enquiry this week for a 3D elephant. My first reaction was that it wouldn’t actually be a very good subject - all the grey black colours... not nice. I did quote for it 3D ..... 500 quid! I know I could have done it and made a good job of it but my God what a lot of work! The frame would have to be reinforced with chicken wire and the sculpting would have taken best part of a day. I suggested that it would make a much more fitting floral tribute if I did a picture board ... that way I could bring in some background and not be stuck with something that was all grey and black!

Rule 4) Try, try, try never to restrict yourself by making promises when they order. Get their confidence and tell them to leave it to you to create something really unique for them. The only time I seem to have problems or don’t like the finished design is when I’m bogged down with restrictions. Unless there’s a good reason for it try not to let them have an input into the design.