Florist News

Hi,

I've been to the website of this show, but I've found it a little confusing understanding what the events are etc. As I am completely new to the florist world, I'm wondering if it will benefit me to go?

Thanks

I think it is of benefit 1st you can meet with suppliers ie sundries, flowers, foliage, relay organizations, stationery Flower council of Holland, Society of Floristry, Floristry books, see new products coming onto the market, oasis, teleflower, chrysal and few others will have someone on their stands doing demos with you can just stop at the designs shows are also very good I have always enjoyed these although items made were sometimes very large and therefore not something that can be sold readily in the shop but most can be downsized and then would be viable but if any of the design shows incorporate wedding designs they are worth going to as I said before be sure to take camera there are lots of other sessions going on which are free which might be of interest Hope this helps and you get something from it. Good Luck Rach

Hi Rach,
Can you plan what to see at the show, or do you just walk around and drop in on the demos, are they repeated at certain times.
Are there other floral shows that you would know are worth going to visit?
Thanks Alison

Hi Alison
Yes you can choose which design show you go to but as you walk around lots of stands have a designer making something from buttonholes/corsages wedding bouquets funeral work arrangements etc on my first visit there I had booked a design show which I thoroughly enjoyed but because I had spent so much time watching designers at different stands I didn't really get to spend enough time at some of the stands towards the end, next time I didn't spend so much time on the stands each one makes such nice bits you want to stay on and see what they are going to do next but the designs shows are really good. Do hope you get as much out of it as I have over the years.
Rach.

Hi Alison
Society of Floristry also have a show at Nottingham Uni in November each year they have a different theme also a good show also have shows but not as many stands doing arrangements etc but also have rooms of main room with smaller group most of which you can just drop into I prefer Birmingham also watch Flower Council of Holland they do Roadshows all around country with 2 or 3 designers they also do shows with some of the dutch wholesalers was at one sun. by hukkra Johan Huisman was the designer very good demo with lots of ideas for valentines/mothers day 90% were ideal for resale in shop. Another wholesaler Barensden had one before xmas with 2 Irish and 1 dutch designer also very good but 80% of that demo was very large designs most impossible to downsize but we still got a lot from it watch flower mags also if you are training for floristry you can become a student member of Society of Floristry and recieve their mag which gives lots of info on ongoing trends and forthcoming events Hope this helps.

Hi,

Looks like I'm not going to be able to make this show, but it would be great to hear any feedback from anyone who does go.

Thanks
Claire

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Newbee

Hi,
Had a busy day at Birmingham I met so many florists I had got to know over the years from competitions, demos, courses etc it was good to catch up the debut designers was very intreresting and got some great ideas. Spent a fortune between few sundries and books but all will be useful anyone looking lights for arrangements but especially wedding bouquets floral essential do a great range the also do a little plastic gadget shaped a bit like a flower looks like something for massage but actually is for cleaning roses got one and tried it, IT IS A MUST HAVE, cleaned rose perfect without any damage we normally use rose stripper or knife if thorns were strong but always ended up with damage to stem this little rubber pad cleans perfect and quickly. also from Oasis got a great deal in the dvd's think I ened up with 9 all for approx 65 normally 19. 95 each Heemskerk, J Van Fleet, etc were also there and nice to catch up on what is new and prices spoke to reps from several relay companies each one professes to be the best well time will tell didn,t get to the competition room which was dissappointing but enjoyed catching up with so many friends Rach

Hi Rach,

Fell out with the boyfriend on Friday night, and so he had some making up to do. He allowed me to drag him to Birmingham on Sunday! I’m so glad I went, as there were so many interesting things there. I must have walked around the main area about 50 times, and every time I did a circuit I saw something new.

I met a florist while I was having a cuppa, and she had also bought one of the thorn-removers that you mention. I foolishly didn’t ask her which stand she had bought it from, and despite many circles I didn’t see them. Out of interest, do you remember which stand they were on?

I also bought a tuition DVD from Oasis. I haven’t watched it yet. I bought it specifically for the button hole project, as my course will be focusing a project on buttonholes. I’ll let you know how I get on!

The stand I was most amazed by was the Verdi stand. I couldn’t believe how fantastic the preserved flowers were. I wanted to take one home, but they weren’t parting with them. They looked so amazing that I can’t help wondering if this is something I could later specialise in (although the cost is prohibitive). One of the key benefits would be the long shelf life compared to fresh flowers. Does anyone have an opinion on this product?

I certainly feel that I got my money’s worth. I signed up for some sundries catalogues, and picked up some vases, lights, foam etc.

I queued for the competition room, and saw quite a few of the entries, however the room was so full that it was quite difficult to take in who the winners were etc. I also felt disappointed that a few of the winners had walked away with their pieces way before 5pm (which the organisers explained that they are not supposed to do).

Finally, when I go next year I will ensure that I book in advance for at-least one of the add-on events, as when I enquired they were all sold out.

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Newbee

Hi Newbee
Glad you got the opportunity to go and enjoyed it got the rose trimmer from Floral Essential and yes you could walk around and around and still find something different unfortunately not many stands had a designer working on them I have never been on a Monday but have been told it is a good day with lots of competitions for colleges and it would be interesting to see because I had seen the winners of these competitions on a website or magazine at sometime and they are excellant if you try and sign up for Florist trade mag it will give you more explanitory details ref design shows but the freebe debut design shows were excellant problem being when one went of you wanted to see what the next one was doing therefore you could be there all day and see nothing else try www.floralessential.co.uk or if that fails and there is a teleflower member near you they should be able to order it for you as this company is attached to teleflower but you don't need to be teleflower member to order from them good luck with all you do. Rach

Hi Rach,
Goodness knows how I managed to miss them on Floral essential, I must have looked at that stand loads of times! Ah well, you win some you loose some. I’ve had a quick look on the website link you provided, but they weren’t with the other thorn strippers. There is no urgent rush for them as my course is only just starting, but if I find thorn removing to be particularly difficult I will visit a teleflower member as you suggest.

Can you recommend a florist trade magazine? Thanks

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Newbee