Tips & Tricks – Page 7

What Is Pinterest & How Can It Work For Florists?

March 29, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell 1 Comment

What is Pinterest?

Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard. It lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.

Other reasons people use Pinterest:

Express yourself through pictures and images relevant to your life.
Remind yourself what you want to do, buy or revisit
Share or recommend things you think others should know about
Learn and explore specific or random topics.
Search and discover new or specific things to do, buy, look at or read.
All Pinterest members are active parts of the online word-of-mouth marketing team.

Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.

Miniature Flower Arrangements? Okay!

March 28, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell 1 Comment

Some of the first flowers of spring come from tiny grasses. As I walk my dog every day, I always notice new types of grass flowers that only get the chance to bloom between mowings. The tiny, yet beautiful flowers foreshadow all the colorful blooms of spring. As florists, it’s easy to overlook these little gems. They simply cannot be used in floral design… or can they? Above is my attempt at trying!

For the miniature flower arrangement above, I used violets, Johnny jump-ups (as we call them in the South), Pepper weed (as my grandmother called them), and Popcorn weed (What I call it because the seeds pop out when you touch it). For the vase, I used the lid to a spray bottle, I think it was a spray hair conditioner bottle. To control the flower placement, I actually cut a piece of tape into strips and made a grid across the open top of the ‘vase’. I put a few dimes into the vase to keep it weighted. From the quarter next to it, it was only about 2 inches tall.

What could you do with a tiny flower arrangement like this? I have no idea! It is so small, it’s hard to notice as decoration. However, I sat it on my vanity near a tiny mirror so that I could enjoy it as I was getting ready in the mornings. I can’t help but love anything miniature, and this was just impossible not to attempt!

I’m sure our florists would have lots of ideas of how to use such a tiny floral design. Maybe they will take the challenge and try to make their own mini arrangement? *wink wink, nudge nudge* If so, I’ll add the pictures to this post!

Filed Under: Floral Design, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Floral Design, Spring Flowers

Picture Perfect Floral Designs

March 16, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell 1 Comment

FSN President Loranne Atwill and floral artist Robbin Yelverton, AIFD, AAF, CF, PFCI, led a hands-on workshop at the Great Lakes Floral Expo earlier this March. This workshop was a little different than the ones you usually see at state floral shows because it dealt more with photography than design. Attendees learned techniques they could use to take better photos of their floral designs.

Flower Photography Tips

Class Description:

You have a Website… now you want to put your own custom designs on it. The arrangements look wonderful, but the pictures just don’t do them justice – sound familiar? Learn great tips to making Web-worthy designs and photos in this session! You will make an arrangement in class, then learn how to photograph it for quality pictures for the Web.

No matter what skill level or type of camera, Robbin gives actionable ideas for getting the most out of your flower photography attempts.

Delivering Good Cheer Isn’t Just For The Stork

February 23, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

A new baby and the celebration of birth is always a delightful occasion. Friends and family come from all over just to pinch those new little cheeks. If you’re going to meet and greet a new little life, don’t show up empty handed — bring flowers! Flowers have been used in celebrations for centuries and are a great representation of growing life. They are also an especially great gift when you are too far to welcome new baby in person, you can trust a local florist to deliver them right to the new mom and dad.

Choosing The Best Flowers For New Baby

Colors

Traditionally, flower colors for baby girls are pastel pinks and for little boys, baby blue. Although these colors are still loved and accepted, these days you can choose almost any color for new baby. Many new parents are choosing out-of-the-box colors for baby showers and nurseries. If you know what color the nursery is, or just want to send something different, don’t hesitate!

Trendy Baby Colors Include:

Lime Green
White
Pastel Purple
Bright Purple
Pastel Yellow
Bright Yellow
Cream
Teal

Flowers for Baby

Traditionally, new baby flowers are mostly roses, daisies and carnations. Again, now you can pretty much choose any type of flower. It may be a good idea to choose flowers that don’t cause allergic reactions and don’t have a strong smell. Choose flowers with heavy, large pollens, since it’s unlikely that such big, heavy pollens will find their way into anyone’s eyes, mouth or nose, such as: hydrangeas, roses, daisies, snapdragons, sunflowers, and daffodils. Talk to your florist about any concerns you may have.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Gift Ideas, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Baby Gifts, Flower Delivery, Local Florists, New Baby Flowers

Local Florist Urges Local Shopping This Valentines Day

February 10, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

We had a similar update earlier this week about a florist talking to their local news station about the obstacles of ordering flowers online. Well, we’ve spotted another one. This florist is also one of our great members, Hawley’s Florist in Rutland, VT.

This video explains more specifically how an order gatherer takes their cut of the order before sending it to a local florist to fill. An order gather is a kind of middle man for florists, taking their cut before sending the order to a real florist.

Searching for a local florist isn’t as easy as typing “City, ST Flowers” into Google. You might live in a town with only 1 flower shop, yet thousands of results are found. Many of these are deceptive middle-men who (1) take your order, (2) take their cut, and (3) pass on an order of lesser value for your local florist to fill. Ordering from a real local florist will ensure you receive the best flower arrangement at the full quality of your purchase.

Why You Don’t Have To Worry

It’s actually really easy to ensure you get the best bang for your buck — buy local! By calling a florist or using their website directly, you can rest assured you will get the full value of your flower order.

Flower Shop Network is here to help! We are an advocate of real local florist and our site is designed to help you find a local florist in your area. Flower Shop Network has never, and will never take a flower order, or percentage of, away from a local florist.

For more tips on protecting yourself from order gathers, check out this post.

[Read more…]

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

What Do You Think She’d Rather Get On Valentines Day?

February 10, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Can you imagine the look on your sweetie’s face when everyone at the office has gotten beautiful bouquets of flowers for Valentines Day and hers come delivered in a box? She even has to assemble them herself! Your romantic gift backfired, and even though you remembered Valentines this year, you’re still ending up in the dog house.

Don’t Let This Happen To You!

It’s SO easy to avoid this big mistake on the Day of Love! Send flowers from a REAL local florist. I know we’ve been preaching local shopping for Valentines Day for weeks now, but it’s SO important! Not only do you get great service, quality flowers, but also the personal touch of a real florist in your community.

Also, the delivery services of a local florist can’t be beat! Your flowers are hand-delivered to your honey, already assembled by an expert florist with a whole lot of TLC! The water has been pre-mixed with preservatives (if needed) to help extend the life of your flowers. The flowers are fresh and perky. You can know for sure they’ve never been left upside-down in a hot delivery truck, inside a box with no water. So remember: Shop Smart, Shop Local.

If you still haven’t order your flowers, check out our post from yesterday:
4 Tips For Ordering Last-Minute Valentines Day Flowers!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Gift Ideas, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Flower Sending Tip, Local Florists, Sending Flowers

4 Great Tips For Last Minute Valentines Day Flowers

February 9, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell 1 Comment

WOW! Valentines Day may have sneaked up on us fast, but don’t fret. There’s still time to send flowers and spark some romance!

While ordering early is ALWAYS best when ordering flowers during such a busy holiday, it’s not always convenient. Now that it’s getting closer, we want to make it EASY for you to get your flowers ordered and keep your sweetie happy!

Simply follow these easy steps and you’ll be all set for Valentines Day!

1. Be Ready With A Great Card Message

Valentines Day card messages should be from the heart. Sometimes when we’re put on the spot, it’s so much harder to think of just the right words. Think of how your sweetie has impacted your life and just what she means to you. If you need help, check out this list of Valentines Day Card Messages.

2. Choose The Right Arrangement

There are so many options out there for Valentines Day arrangements. However, as it gets closer to the big day, options grow more and more limited. Don’t worry, we’re here to help! There are only two things you need to consider when choosing flowers: (1) her favorite color, (2) her favorite flowers. If you don’t know these, go for something classy, like roses. Check out these recent posts for even more ideas:

Romantic Valentine Ideas For The Six Phases of Love
Top 5 Trendiest Flowers This Valentines Day
Send Her Wedding Bouquet on Valentines Day(May be too late for this one, depending on how complex her bouquet was)

You can also browse our Shop Flowers section for more great Valentines Day arrangement ideas. (Choosing an arrangement from Shop Flowers will connect you to a local florist in your area to take care of your order. We believe in local business and do not take orders away from real local flower shops.)
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Holiday Info, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Flower Sending Tip, Sending Flowers, Valentines Day, Valentines Day Flowers

Local Florist Warns Of Valentines Day Scams

February 8, 2012 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Valentines Day Flowers

Spotted one of our great members on the local news warning of the threat of gatherer scams and had to share. (Video Above) Thanks so much to Chappell’s Florist in Burlington VT!

Protecting Yourself From Gatherers on Valentines Day

When it comes to sending flowers, it’s always best to send from a real local florist. Not only do you receive the freshest quality flowers, you are also helping your community thrive. Also, by using a local flower shop directly, you can rest assured you are getting everything you paid for.

As the video points out, searching for a local florist isn’t as easy as typing “City, ST Flowers” into Google. You might live in a town with only 1 flower shop, yet thousands of results are found. Many of these are deceptive middle-men who (1) take your order, (2) take their cut, and (3) pass on an order of lesser value for your local florist to fill. Ordering from a real local florist will ensure you receive the best flower arrangement at the full quality of your purchase.

Flower Shop Network Is Committed To Local

Flower Shop Network is an advocate of real local florists across the US and Canada. You can use the search box at the very top of our site to find a real local florist, we list all of their contact information, as well as links to their website. We do our very best to verify each florist listed on our website is a real florist in a real city, selling real flowers (you’d be surprised).

If you shop via our Shop Flowers, you will be transferred to a local florist’s website to complete your purchase. We have never and will never take a flower order (or any percentage of) away from a florist.

No matter how you find your florist this Valentines Day, just make sure they’re local. Check to see if their address is a real local address. Give them a call to see if they are really in your community. It only takes a few minutes and will ensure you’re Valentines Day flowers are just the way you wanted.

Video via www.fox44now.com

Filed Under: Holiday Info, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Scams, Sending Flowers, Valentines Day Flowers

2012 Pantone Color of the Year – Tangerine Tango

December 9, 2011 by Mandy Maxwell Leave a Comment

Pantone 2012 Color of the Year
Pantone has just announced the color of the year for 2012, Tangerine Tango! What an exciting color to feature for the new year.

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.” Over the past several years, orange has grown in popularity and acceptance among designers and consumers alike. A provocative attention-getter, Tangerine Tango is especially appealing in men’s and women’s fashion.

This color works well because of it’s versatility for both men and women. Dress it up for an exotic look, but can also work for a casual, friendly design. Tangerine Tango is full of energy just waiting to perk up your flower arrangements.

Celebrate this beautiful color choice with flowers!

Here are our favorite arrangements that use this hot color of the year: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Floral Industry News, Tips & Tricks, Trends Tagged With: Alstroemeria, Orange Flowers, Pantone Color of the Year, Pincushion, Safflower

6 Quick Flower Photography Tips For Florists

December 6, 2011 by Dan Hamilton 1 Comment

Flowers and Photography

It seems like the two just go together. We buy flowers based on photos in a book or online, we photograph them at weddings, and florists brag about their talent with pictures of prior work. Most florists would like to have a portfolio, but don’t feel confident enough to do it themselves. It’s not hard to make professional-looking flower photos, but it does take practice.