Tips & Tricks – Page 6

Documenting Your Work – Photo Tips for Florists

October 23, 2013 by Juli Jackson 3 Comments

As a florist you are creating beauty everyday for others to enjoy and to help celebrate moments in their lives. But how often do you get to enjoy and celebrate your own work? Rarely, right? Between filling orders, making last minute rush deliveries, and trying to promote your shop, you are busy trying to run a business. But a passion for beauty got you into this industry so don’t let a hectic workday stop you from documenting your hard work.

Pictures tell your story, record your work, and become the strongest calling card you can have for new business. Photographing your arrangements is hands down the best way to promote your shop. Here is a guide to help you make the most of every arrangement by photographing your orders on the go.

Cameras for Flower Photography

You’ll be surprised to learn that you don’t have to have the best and most expensive camera to take good photos of your flowers. The easiest and most beneficial place to share your photos is online so the images don’t have to be huge. Newer smartphones like the iPhone and many Android devices have excellent built-in cameras and photo aps available. This is a camera is always in your pocket so use it!

Any general digital camera that takes at least a 5MB picture can meet your needs as well. These cameras are often called “point and shoot” cameras because they offer very basic auto settings and are usually under $100. These cameras do not have a detachable lens or manual settings.

If you are ready to step up your game and have more control, a basic DSLR with lens is around $200 and up. These cameras have various auto settings as well as fully manual settings so you can adjust your focus and exposure yourself.

Consider This…

The goal of taking flower photos yourself is to take images of your work often, so a camera that you will keep with you and can use with ease is key. Think about what you are likely to use most often with the least hassle and start there. Familiarize yourself with whatever camera you decide to use. Actually spend a few minutes thumbing through your manual. Learn how to focus, use the auto settings and turn on/off the flash and date stamp. Mastering these basic tasks will immediately give you results you can see.

Tips For Photographing Flower Arrangements

Clean Composition – The easiest way to make your photos look more professional is to pay attention to your composition. Make sure the table and background is free of clutter or distractions. You might even create a special table in the corner of your work room where you can quickly set an arrangement and snap a few shots. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Florists Only, Marketing Tips, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Floral Photography, Flower Pictures

Care Tips For Your Valentine’s Day Flowers

February 13, 2013 by Mandy Maxwell 1 Comment

So your sweetie just sent you the most magnificent Valentine’s Day flower arrangement; you obviously want to keep it around as long as possible, right? You’re in luck! These fresh flower care tips will help you extend the life of your Valentine’s Day flowers!

Keeping Valentine’s Day Flowers Fresh

First things first, if your flowers came in plastic, remove this as soon as possible.

Deciding on a location

Place fresh flowers in a location away from drafts and extreme temperatures.
Do not place flowers in a windowsill or other location in full sun.
Avoid places where flowers can contact ethylene gas, which is emitted from cigarettes and fruit

Make The Last Longer

Keep flowers in a cool location.
Keep your vase filled with water, even if it uses floral foam.
Immediately remove dead or wilting leaves and stems from fresh flower arrangements.
Change your water when it starts getting cloudy.
When changing water, cut flower stems ends at a 45° angle to help them re-absorb fresh water.
If your florist sent floral preservative packets, use them when changing water by following the instructions.

Perhaps you’re needing tips for houseplant care?

The most important part of caring for Valentine’s Day flowers is loving them and remembering the reason you received them: out of love.

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Flower Care Tips, Valentines Day, Valentines Day Flowers

Valentine’s Day is So Close! Be 100% Loveable!

February 4, 2013 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

If you’re reading this and have not decided on a Valentine’s Day gift for your sweetie — what are you waiting for? Flowers are the quintessential Valentine’s Day gift, and have been for generations. Trust me, you don’t want your lady to be the only one at the office without flowers.

Why wait when you can be ahead of the game? Here’s what to do:

Step 1: Use Flower Shop Network’s handy local florist finder to find a florist in your city. (FSN verifies all florists in our directory are real local florists.)

Be aware, it’s important to go directly to a local florist when sending flowers. There are third parties out there that pose as florists on the internet, will take your order, and then pass it along to a real florist to fill at a lower rate. By going directly to a trusted, local florist, you will get the best bang for your buck. Check out this article for more information: Local Florist Urges Local Shopping This Valentine’s Day.

Christmas Tree Decorating Tips: Part 2

December 5, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Christmas is just around the corner, and you’ve probably already put your tree up. If not, don’t miss these handy Christmas tree decorating tips PART 2! (How To Decorate A Christmas Tree Part 1 is a must see!)

1. Use Garlands In New Ways. Try cascading garland, ribbon, mesh and/or beads vertically down the tree instead of looping them around horizontally.
2. Color-oriented. One great way to use an eclectic mix of ornaments with style is by choosing ornaments that are the same color. For instance, lots of different styles of ornaments in all-red.
3. Match Your Style. Choose a tree and ornaments in styles and colors to match that of your already-existing home decor. For instance, a shabby-chic home might choose all-natural and vintage ornaments and tree styles.
4. Memory Lane. Collect ornaments for important life occasions, vacations, and for any other special memories. Each year at Christmas, your family can revisit these memories while putting up the tree.
5. Christmas Critters. Choose clip-on doves or owls, wooden squirrels, and other little critters to add some friendly faces to your tree.
6. Going Overboard. If you simply cannot cram one more ornament onto your tree, use them throughout your home as easy Christmas decor.
7. Choose Your Metal. Most Christmas decor themes need at least one metal in order to enhance the glow of the season. Choose from gold, silver, bronze, rustic dark, and many others. Use in garlands and decor. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Holiday Info, Seasonal Ideas, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Christmas Decorations, Christmas Tree

Wedding Day Flower Ideas

November 8, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

While I was looking through the FSN archives, I noticed two really amazing wedding flower articles that really should not be missed for anyone planning their wedding flowers.

Wedding Flower Details

This post is filled with great ideas to add those finishing touches to your wedding day flowers. From personal flowers for your wedding party, to new ideas for the ring bearer, definitely worth the read! Not only is there ideas for where to put flowers, it also gives great flower and accessory suggestions to make sure your wedding decorations won’t soon be forgotten. Click to read more about Wedding Flower Details.

Wedding Ceremony & Reception Flower Ideas

This oldie-but-goodie post has even more great ideas that even I had never thought of (and I’ve been writing about flowers for almost 4 years now; our archives are so massive!). Great tips for aisle flowers, reception ideas, guestbook flowers, centerpieces and even more that you won’t expect! If you need wedding flower ideas, click here!

Although these blog posts were written way back in 2002, they’re chock full of GREAT ideas and deserve a little spotlight. So, go check them out!

Image credit: Wedding flowers by Botanica Creations, Klamath Falls OR

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks, Wedding Flowers Tagged With: Wedding Decorations, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Tips

3 Hints from Heloise For Sending Flowers

September 17, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell 1 Comment

Recently reading through the always-helpful Hints from Heloise advice column in my local newspaper, I saw where a florist had expressed a few frustrations that can easily be fixed.

She explains that sometimes people are in a hurry and do not fill out all of their information when sending flowers. Not only is this time consuming to the florist who has to look everything up, but think of how your friend will feel getting flowers with their name spelled wrong.

Here are a few tips to make sure you are sending flowers that will make your friends smile, not scratch their head and wonder who sent them.

1. Make sure the recipient’s name is spelled correctly. A florist must write the name exactly as you give it. Double-check to make sure you’ve got the correct spelling, even if it’s a nickname.
2. Use both first and last name. “Many families know more than one ‘Jim or Mary.'” It’s important to specify who you are. Unless your name is Cher, use more than just a first name.
3. Give your correct address for thank you cards, as well as for the florist’s records.

A few other flower-sending suggestions from us: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Flower Sending Tip, Sending Flowers

Local Florist’s Quick Tips For DIY Flower Arranging

July 17, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

We just found this great video from back in 2007 that features one of our member florists and thought I’d share! Meghan Carter, host of Ask the Decorator visits with Vickey Wenshrup of Amelia Florist Wine & Gift Shop in Amelia, Ohio to learn a few DIY flower arranging pointers.

Don’t miss the video at the bottom of this post!

DIY Flower Arranging

At the beginning of the video, Meghan asks, “How hard can it really be to make a floral arrangement?” By the end, she adds, “flower arranging isn’t as easy and you would think!” There is a whole lot more that goes into flower arranging that just putting flowers into a vase. Florists are truly artists, but also have to be meticulous in their efforts to keep your flowers lasting as long as possible. Sure you can DIY a flower arrangement, but for the absolute best results, give your local florist a call!

If you’re interested in DIY flowers, keep an eye out for workshops available in your area. Florists all over the country offer flower arranging classes where you can learn the ins and outs of creating flowers.

15 Snapshots Florists Should Keep In Their Phones

July 12, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell 3 Comments

Important Pictures to Take on your Cell Phone Let’s face it, as we age our memories are just not what they used to be. If you’re anything like me, you’d loose your head if it wasn’t attached! However, with new technology, there are lots of things you can do to help yourself remember, the most important of these is your cell phone! Whether you’re carrying and old Razr or an iPhone, make it work for you in more ways than just calling friends.

Most modern cell phones have some sort of camera on them. Sure, it’s great for grandkids, but it can also be used for many other things you might not think about, such as aiding our memory.

15 Photos Florists Should Keep In Their Phones

1. Where you parked – For some deliveries, this will really come in handy!
2. Pictures of any refills – Take pictures of the sizes, brand, or other specific information on refill-type products you might use in the store, such as: printer cartridges, specific flower food, light bulbs you use, gift items used often, etc.
3. Common design recipes – Keep your best-sellers handy.
4. Delivery vehicle license plates – Just in case something happens, or you need to know it when they are gone. You can also take a picture of the mileage when necessary.
5. Hotel room numbers – When going on trips to florist conventions!
6. Delivery drop offs – Keep a record of how the flowers looked when they are delivered.
7. The White Board – If you have a white board or other place you write out shopping lists, take a picture of it right before you leave so you don’t have to copy it all down again! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Florists Only, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Florists Only, Tips For Florists

Having A Business Meeting? Bring Flowers!

May 16, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Whether you need to impress new clients or stimulate creative thinking, flowers are your go-to addition. Whether you own or work for a small business, or you’re looking to dress up your weekly book club get-togethers, your local florist can help! Flowers For Business Meetings

Flowers To Impress

It’s important to put your best foot forward and leave nothing to chance when meeting with a big client, especially for the first time. The addition of flowers to your office, conference room or convention hall can really brighten up the space and set the tone of your company. It shows your client just how important and respected they are.

Hosting an open house or other event? Use fresh flowers to take your interior decor to the next level.

Flowers For Brand Awareness

For companies that want to extend brand awareness in a whole new way, bring flowers into your meetings in the colors of your business’ brand. Flowers come in almost any color you can think of, and most florists can use a special type of paint, if needed, to get the right color for you. Talk to your local florist about your brand and colors. Show them your logo and business style and they will be able to create something specifically tailored to your business.

Business branded flowers are also a great idea for trade shows and other conferences where you want your business to stand out! Flowers are also a great conversation starter. When the event is over, you can give out flowers as a souvenir.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Flower Suggestions, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Fresh Flowers, Office Decor

Help! I Can’t Get Stephanotis Stems To Stay Fresh!

March 31, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Ask The Expert:

Hi, I can’t get stephanotis stay fresh stems in the UK, so wondered if you could tell me either how to make them or how to wire one. Would cotton wool soaked work at the end? And what gauge wire to use! Thanks so much,
Angela

Flower Shop Network Expert Reply:

For the best possible answer, we asked our florists on Facebook. Here is a great reply:

“Upon arrival, open box & make sure cotton/tissue in base is damp. If they’re looking wilty spray them with water or Crowning Glory, recover, close box & into cooler. Upon using, we use the packaged “stephanotis stems” & spray them good with Crowning Glory, been doing this 30+ years & never a problem.” via Janet Frye of The Enchanted Florist in Asheville, NC.

You might also check out this post: How To Keep Stephanotis Fresh In A Bridal Bouquet

Filed Under: Floral Design, Floral Resources, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Floral Design, Floral Design Techniques, Stephanotis