Art of The Bouquet

How about balancing out the helmet bashing and beer guzziling Super Bowl Sunday with a floral arranging class? 

This Sunday, Febuary 5th 12-1pm at Sprout Home Brooklyn

Learn how to create two types of hand-tied bouquets for yourself or a special friend. We’ll demonstrate the techniques for making a small wildflower posie bouquet  and a more uncommon sculptural bouquet. Fees are based on the types of flowers used and are estimated at $50 - $150.

click here to sign up

Lecture Listening

The Fall is a brainy time after all the Summer sillies.

To break from these overworked floristy hands my running legs are racing and lecture listening sometimes beats an overcrowded bar. Call me a bore but what I am experiencing is a quiet and riveting pause between the extra nonesense every scheduled day brings.

Lecture 1:

Did you know sparkling wines can age?  Different from a perseco or champagne, those should drink young and bright. Ferrari Brut's are crafted specifically for each bottle versus the barrel wide other stuff. 

The Trento region of Italy where this is produced just got hot on my list.

Lecture 2:

President James Monroe dazzled by french fashions chose to outfit his State Room with Napolean's Empire style furniture. Certainly much more items and $$ than intended, the french cabinet maker Bellangé made nothing of the specifics Monroe requested. 

A silly thought as to what one orders and what is actually made. 

Lecture 3:  

Did you know paintings back in the day used to be hung very high? A popular spot was to hang art over doors, you can see it in this paining by Hogarth. 

Here is Marie Antoinette's over door boudoir at Fontainebleau. A bit much I would say.

How for an after lecture stroll through the University Club ballroom to name off design details?

 ...and then stumbiling upon the current lobby of the Lever House. 

Refreshing! Nicely done Paula Hayes.

It got me thinking about the titans of industry and how I just landed a big new brilliant client and then that song Crystaline by Bjork. 

 

Lecture 3:

Now this one is for you:

Sign up for my Flower Class!!! The edible arrangement  

It's this Sunday, November 6th at Sprout Home Brooklyn

We will be creating a cornucopia (not literally) of seasonal fall blooms using many edible ingredients such as artichokes, rosemary, oregano, and more. Materials fee is estimated at $65 – $125 (based on your selections) and pays for a small vase arrangement you make and take home.

For more information, contact Sprout Home Brooklyn at nyinfo@sprouthome.com or call 718.388.4440.

Curiosities

Terrarium fascination is and has been at fever pitch with no signs of waning in the plant world.

I see it in the classes I teach at Sprout, while my floral classes dwindle with a few students, the terrarium classes are jam packed. Classes and questions constantly being added and answered.

I totally see the appeal and satisfaction one feels getting together for a plant party and creating an enclosed world of ones very own.

Snow Cat Globe Terrarium By: Melissa Gorman

I especially think terrariums attract a NY'ers sensibilities, easy to maintain, (practically neglectful) small, a perfect green environment one can longingly peer into like the dollhouse a child wishes to call home.

Doggy Globe Terrarium By: Melissa Gorman

Since I completed my decorative arts midterm today I got to thinking... 

Myself and the other pained students are not the only ones who are going to learn this stuff.

So, may I please expound a singular decorative art thought as I hope it relates nicely to terrarium fever?

It was called the Kunstkammer, setting: Netherlands, date: 17th century

This was an age of exploration and discovery particularly for the affluent Dutch. (Don't get this confused with tulip mania, that was a century later) A fascination with the natural world and widespread interest in observing the strange natural beauty through scientific instruments: 

*Celestial Globe with Clockwork By: Gerhard Emmoser ca. 1579

precise renderings of flora and fauna:

 * A Study of Butterflies & other Insects By: Jan van Kessel ca.1655

and a desire to collect the exotic and unusual:

 * Nautilus Cup By: Jan Jacobsz van Royestein ca 1596

The goal of ones collection was to contain a microcosm of all that existed in the universe. The idea that God had placed man at the center of the world and had provided him with the means to achieve universal knowledge. All of this fascination lead to the study of natural magic, but by the mid-18th century scholars further classified the natural, human and spiritual wonders. Thus creating our separation of the arts and sciences. 

Back to my point...In a world of chaos isn't a terrarium a perfect way to gain control? While none of us would admit such delusions of grandeur as the 17th C. Dutch it sure is nice to have our own microcosm of a most perfect world. 

By: yours truly

Grow Your Mind!

The 2011 class schedule is here! These are the classes I will be teaching at Sprout for the next two months.     The aim of the courses is to share our skills and philosophy on floristry and horticulture. We limit class sizes to 6 students in order to provide individual attention.  

We are located at: 44 Grand Street (Bet Kent & Wythe) Williamsburg, Brooklyn 

To sign up for a class email nyfloral@sprouthome.com

picture credit to Musubi 

Sunday, Jan 9th 12-1pm Flower Class: Winter Blossoms, Branches, and Succulents

We'll demonstrate the art of texture and form using winter blossoms, woody branches, and wired-in succulents. Students will create a hand-tied winter bouquet or vase arrangement they take home. Fees are based on the type of flowers and containers used and are estimated at $65 - $150.

Sunday, Jan 23rd 12-1pm Terrariums

We’ll demonstrate the steps for building a terrarium. Options include high light cacti/succulent, low light fern/moss, carnivorous plants, and no maintenance terrariums. Students may bring their own container or purchase one at Sprout. Fees are based on the type of the terrarium and materials used and are estimated at $35 - $250.

Sunday, Feb 6th 12-1pm Flower Class: The Art of Bouquets

Learn how to create two types of hand-tied bouquets for yourself or a special friend. We’ll demonstrate the techniques for making a small wildflower posie bouquet and a more uncommon sculptural bouquet. Fees are based on the types of flowers used and are estimated at $65 - $150.

Good Causes

My buddies over at Marc Jacobs are involved with a pretty cool non for profit called Arts Connection. The mission of the organization is to help make the arts a more essential part of children's education. Since many public schools have cut funding, Marc Jacobs along with other designers have donated portions of sales to suport funding for afterschool activities in dance, music, theater and visual arts.

I was asked to make an arrangement this past weekend for the entrance for Bloomingdales on 59th & Lexington Ave for Fashion Industries have HeArt!. These students made drawings of handbags and I was very impressed! Honestly, my college portfolio next to these kids work looks more amature...

Garden Clubs In Virginia Are Not Messing Around.

...or certainly not at this particular club in Alexandria, VA where I had the esteemed opportunity of giving a presentation. My topic was, "Floral Design: A New York Perspective" followed by a lesson in my style of arranging. I have never held such a captive audience! The women were incredibly gracious and the hostess lives in the finest house in Old Town, Virginia. Just stepping in the front door made my mouth salivate as my Historic Preservation degree came flooding back. 

What differenciated my floristry from these women is they compete for ribbons in various design categories spending thoughtful time and energy creating one unique arrangement under various guidelines. Unlike the flower business where you are dealing in high volume, customers, but alas much more flexibility in design. (Work vs Hobby)  I do think we mutually learned from one another, and this talk made me realize how much I enjoy a captive audience, all eyes on me please!

I can't even begin to explain the horticulturalist portion of the club, that goes over my urban apartment lifestyle. Pretty sure I figured out something I want to be involved in (maybe when I retire?) In 30 years I'll be sweeping up all those blue ribbons. 

Flower School

Sign up for my Valentine's Day Bouquet Class!

Friday, February 13 @ 6pm

Sprout Home 

44 Grand Street (bet Kent & Wythe) Brooklyn, NY

Learn how to make a spiral hand-tied bouquet. $45 class fee includes a $35 bouquet you make and take home, for yourself or someone else.

Plastic cups full of cheap wine will be available to help you with your inspiration and coordination.

Space is limited so sign up now!
Visit the store or call us to register 718-388-4440.