Floral Conventions & Flower Shows

FSN at the Arkansas Florists Association Convention

August 27, 2013 by Ed Belly Leave a Comment

If you didn’t get a chance to make it to the Arkansas Florists Association 61st Annual Convention and Trade Show, you missed quite an event! Not to worry, FSN was present and accounted for and is here to delight and entertain you with our experiences from the weekend. So sit back, relax and enjoy these gorgeous photos detailing all the fun we had in Hot Springs, AR!

A fantastic job on the booth setup, say it with swag! Who doesn’t like bags full of free stuff? I certainly do, that’s for sure.

Check out that apron! I don’t think it’s telling us anything we didn’t already know right? The best florists are local florists. Thank you so much for doing what you do!

This is a display put together to illustrate the convention theme: Celebrate America! Nice shot of Old Glory.

Reminiscent of bygone days with the old-style bike. Celebrate America is alive and well in this picture! We always applaud a judicious use of flowers to make a point.

The sign for a brilliant talk given by Rick Rivers and sponsored by Flower Shop Network! Rick had a lot to say about marketing and how to do it successfully. This was one presentation you did NOT want to miss!

Here’s Rick detailing some important points to his audience.

Now I’ll leave you with this last photo, and what’s a Flower Shop Network booth without some flowers? This is a lovely patriotic arrangement put together by two of our talented member florists to help us Celebrate America! A special thank you to Rebecca and Larry Beckwith of Beckwith Visions Florist in Hot Springs, AR for providing such a lovely piece. You guys rock!

FSN had a great time at the AFA convention, and we aren’t even close to showing you all the pictures that we took! Come back soon for a pictorial tour through the Arkansas Cup, the Mid-America Cup, and the FSN sponsored event: So You Think You Can Design! We’ll see you then!

TNSFA Tabletop Competition

August 21, 2013 by Ed Belly Leave a Comment

Oh wow, there was a lot going on at the Tennessee State Floral Association Convention this year! We’ve already brought you a recap of the Iris Cup and vendor booths, we’ve revisited the Regina Berryman presentation, and now we’re going to show you some photos of candidates for this year’s Tabletop Competition! One thing’s for sure, people at the convention were never bored!

This was a nature-focused display that really works! Excellent job!

An elegant display using the natural beauty of red roses and the visual texture of silk. Fantastic!

Regina Berryman at TNSFA Convention (Photo Follow Up)

August 15, 2013 by Ed Belly Leave a Comment

We recently posted an article introducing Regina Berryman and her upcoming presentation on the Fibonacci method of Floral Design at the Tennessee State Floral Association convention. I bet you’re wondering just how it went? Well, it should come as no surprise that Regina presented an abundance of valuable information as well as displayed some breathtaking arrangements!

As usual, FSN was there to snap some photos and is excited to pass them on to you!

Regina Berryman and the stage before the arrangements are brought out.

A couple of the first arrangements are visible in this photo.

A gorgeous arrangement using bamboo as a backdrop.

FSN at the Tennessee State Floral Association 2013 Convention

August 8, 2013 by Ed Belly Leave a Comment

Flower Shop Network was out and about once again this past weekend at the Tennessee State Florists Association Convention! We hobnobbed with the locals, touched base with a few old friends and made a number of new ones. If you missed this year’s fair, have no fear, FSN is here! We took an unofficial poll, of ourselves, and the group consensus was that a great time was had by all. Apparently those Tennessee folks know how to put on a party so whatever you do, don’t miss out on next year.

Here we have a nice shot of the FSN booth. We always try to do our part to beautify the vendor floor.

We are always happy to see our members stop by the ole booth and say hello. Hello, ladies! Looks like they’ve been stocking up on some freebies, eh? Wait, why didn’t anyone bring me some freebies? Man …

This was a gorgeous arrangement, created by Regina Berryman, and presented at the FSN booth. I think the picture pretty much speaks for itself. Amazing! That Berryman lady sure is talented! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows Tagged With: Florists Conventions, Flower Shop Network, Tennessee Florists Association

Regina Berryman to Speak at TNSFA and CTPFA Convention

July 30, 2013 by Ed Belly Leave a Comment

For everyone planning to attend the Tennessee State Florists’ Association and Central Tennessee Professional Florists’ Association‘s annual convention this weekend, make sure you’ve scheduled enough time to watch the presentation being conducted by renowned floral designer and friend of FSN, Regina Berryman, AIFD, AAF, CFD. She has an exciting take that infuses natural principles of art and will help you take your own work to a whole new level!

Introducing Regina Berryman

If you don’t know, Regina is a Brazilian native who came to this country over thirty years ago. While growing up in Brazil, she experienced all different brands of flora and fauna, as well as a vast array of different species of flowers. Her love for their fragile and delicate allure did not diminish when she became an American citizen, and now, through her pursuit of that passion, she studies with some of the finest floral designers in the country!

An accomplished instructor herself, Regina has participated on some very prestigious design teams such as the Presidential Inauguration and The Society of American Florists’ Conventions. If you would like to see some examples, Regina’s work can be seen in our very own Flower Shop Network Flower Gallery!

Fibonacci Theory & Floral Design

Fibonacci Spiral Regina’s exciting theories regarding floral design are based on principles borrowed from an amazing discovery made over 700 years ago called the Fibonacci Theory. The theory was founded by a mathematician named Leonardo Fibonacci who lived in the 12th and 13th centuries C.E., and it can be observed in almost every aspect of the natural world.

I know what you’re thinking, “What does an ancient mathematician have to do with floral design?” Regina can best answer that question for you during her presentation, but the gist is that she uses these mathematical principles and applies them to proportion, ratio and overall aesthetic beauty. The basic concept espouses that although symmetry can be beautiful, true visual pleasure exists in an asymmetrical design partitioned into the proper proportions using a 3-5-8 ratio.

If that peaks your interest, be sure to attend the convention and see Regina Berryman in action as she demonstrates her use of the 3-5-8 ratio in floral arrangement and design.

The TNSFA and CTPFA Convention

C’mon out folks, it’s going to be a great three days and, as always, Flower Shop Network will be there to document all the exciting events!

The convention is hosted by the Tennessee State Florists’ Association and Central Tennessee Professional Florists’ Association, and will begin Friday August 2nd and last through Sunday August 4th at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows, Florists Only Tagged With: Elements of Design, Florists Conventions, Tennessee Florists Association

TSFA Convention and Texas Cup Competition

July 29, 2013 by Ed Belly Leave a Comment

The Texas State Florists’ Association held its 99th annual Convention and Trade Show July 12-14 in Mesquite, TX located just east of Dallas. That’s right, the 99th annual convention, and you know what that means, folks. If you missed this year, there’s no way you can let next year slip by as it will be the annual Convention and Trade Show’s centennial celebration! If you were looking for the right year to go, next year is definitely the one! As usual, Flower Shop Network will be there and is always excited to bring you the highlights! Here are some pics from this year’s show.

First off, a photo of our booth. Isn’t that awesome? We’re so organized with our little gift bags in a line around the tables. Good job, Joe Hays! It looks like he’s done this before, doesn’t it?

As with any convention, booths were a big part of the main floor, but it was the amazing classes on offer that really got people excited. With instruction in everything from how to increase business, to Texas-style designs and even how to grow your revenue stream, there was a lot of great information to be had! Still, the free loot you could rack up on booth row was pretty impressive too.

Texas Cup Competition

The event no florist worth her pruning shears would dare miss was the Texas Cup competition. This is an annual part of the show where florists from across the state are given a certain period of time to design and create an arrangement worthy to be crowned the Texas Cup winner! Flower Shop Network slipped in and snapped some candid shots of the top three designs!

Third place was claimed by Flower Shop Network member Martha Wiggs-Aaron of Clear Lake Flowers in Houston, TX. As you can see, she made a beautiful arrangement using sunflowers and yellow roses to give a nod to the rustic roots of Texas. The basket is an excellent touch, and the bird’s nest as well as the wire formed into the state of Texas add all the accent needed. Gorgeous Martha!

Second place was also snagged by a Flower Shop Network member! Man, are our members talented or what? Alan Masters of Compton’s Florist in La Porte, TX submitted this elegant arrangement that almost looks good enough to eat! Are those mushrooms? Wow!

So, who won first place? Drum roll please …

First place was claimed by none other than Flower Shop Network member Rebecca Sherman AIFD of The Blooming Idea in The Woodlands, TX. Rebecca also chose to go with sunflowers, and her creative arrangement turned out wonderfully! Amazing job Rebecca, and congrats on winning the Texas Cup!

Is it just me, or was that a Flower Shop Network trifecta?! Wowza! If you went to the TSFA convention, let us know all about it in the comments below. If not, there’s always next year!

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows, Florists Only Tagged With: Florists Association Conventions, Flower Shop Network, Texas Florists, Texas State Florists Association Convention

FSN at the 2013 Louisiana State Florists Convention

June 12, 2013 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Recently, Flower Shop Network had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Louisiana State Florist Association Convention for 2013! What a great show it was — the theme was Journey to Oz and you could definitely follow the yellow brick road to some absolutely stunning floral designs!

Big Congrats – FSN Member Florist Wins 2013 Houston Cup

May 1, 2013 by Juli Jackson 1 Comment

Big congratulations to Rebecca Sherman, AIFD in taking home the 2013 Houston Cup! Rebecca is a floral design artist with The Blooming Idea in The Woodlands, Texas, and a 20 year veteran of the floral industry.

The Houston Cup is an annual floral design competition for the members of Allied Florists of Houston. The winner of the Houston Cup advances to the preliminary phase of the Texas State Florists Association‘s prestigious Texas Cup Competition.

From the Allied Florist of Houston:

“…the competition featured 10 professional floral designers in this year’s Great Gatsby themed competition. Each person brought 1 Interpretative Design following the Great Gatsby theme and during the hands on competition completed a floral wedding bouquet and a surprise package arrangement of a large arrangement for a grand foyer for a party. Grading is completed by a panel of 3 top rated floral Judges based on the principles and elements of design.”

With F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Great Gatsby at the heart of the competition, decadent beauty abounded in all the contestants designs. Flowing feathers, lush greens, dramatic textures and delicate blooms reflected the glitz and glamour of the roaring ’20s and made for opulent results. Visit The Blooming Idea’s Facebook page for more great photos.

The Blooming Idea has been a FSN member for 13 years and we are very proud of Rebecca for winning this prestigious award. Her fabulous creative designs, inspired by the Great Gatsby theme, are truly breath-taking.

Best of luck at the upcoming Texas Cup Competition!

Photos courtesy of The Blooming Idea, The Woodlands, Texas

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows, Florist Spotlights, Florists Only Tagged With: Allied Florists of Houston, Floral Design, Floral Industry News, Florist Spotlights, Florists Conventions, Houston Cup, Texas Florists

Big Congrats To Our Winning Members

April 2, 2013 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Way To Go Florists!

Floral convention season is just kicking off and already our florist members are making their presence known! Check out all of our member’s latest great accomplishments in today’s post!

Florist Awards

Big congrats to Norton’s Flowers & Gifts in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, MI for being voted Retailer of the Year at the Great Lakes Floral Expo 2013.

Doug Bates of Designs by Vogt’s in Sturgis MI

Congratulations to Doug Bates of Designs by Vogt’s in Sturgis MI for being voted the 2013 Young Person of the Year at the Great Lakes Florist Expo.

This young person has been excited about the MFA since their first conference and has never stopped. Their energy has just kept growing. To watch them participate in classes and then in design events and competitions you can see the passion and energy in their eyes and it is contagious. Always with a positive attitude toward the industry they have nothing but great admiration for their peers and respect for their fellow florists. – From the Michigan Florist Association Press Release

Design Contest Winners

Way to go Debbie Royal of Royal Expressions Flowers & Gifts, Blissfield, MI for winning 3rd place in the Great Lakes Floral Expo professional division design contest themed Loving Memory. Debbie also took home 2nd place in the professional division design contest themed Surprise, Surprise.
Congrats to Robbin Yelverton of Blumz… by JR Designs in Detroit MI for taking home 1st place in the Great Lakes Floral Expo academy division design contest themed It’s A Party.
Big congrats to Rae Roberts-Griffith of True Colors Artistry for winning 1st runner up in the prestigious 2013 Lincoln Cup at the 2013 Illinois State Florist Association Convention.
Congratulations to Judy Fitzpatrick of Just Judy’s Flowers in Pensacola, FL for winning second place in the Northwest Florida Florists’ Association’s February Design Contest.
Congratulations to April Ridge of Alyce’s Floral Designs in Ft Walton Beach, FL for winning third place in the Northwest Florida Florists’ Association’s February Design Contest.

Congrats again, everyone!

I do my best to find our florists’ achievements through various association emails and online posts. If I left you out, please let me know and I will add you ASAP!

Filed Under: Floral Conventions & Flower Shows, Floral Industry News Tagged With: Awards & Honors, Floral Awards, Floral Design Competitions, Florists Achievements, Florists Conventions

Floral Couture at the 2013 Northeast Floral Expo

March 27, 2013 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

At the recent Northeast Floral Expo in Groton, CT florists were asked to do something a little different for a design competition. This Project Runway-inspired design competition, Flora Couture, had florists creating stunning cocktail dresses out of botanicals, complete with celebrity judges. All proceeds from the event benefited the Pediatric Oncology Program at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.

FSN at the Arkansas Florists Association Convention

TNSFA Tabletop Competition

Regina Berryman at TNSFA Convention (Photo Follow Up)

FSN at the Tennessee State Floral Association 2013 Convention