FLOWER WORKSHOPS SINCE AUTUMN 2017

EVERY FLOWER HAS A MEANING

floral design by Satu in Måla and More workshop

It's almost autumn. Two days ago I was thinking what happened one year ago in my life and I remembered that September 2017 was a big month for me. It brings me very good memories. My first flower arrangement workshop happened in September Habitare 2017 at Asun magazine exhibition. It was wonderful gift from Asun magazine for the Habitare guests. A free flower workshop. We had a huge line of eager ladies and I only could take ten. I was quite excited maybe a bit nervous too and the time flew and suddenly there were ten flower arrangements ready to be photographed. So I think the past year went quite same way. Fast. A bit nervous. Eager. Restless. Happy.
 

my flower arrangement for Johanna Gullichsen shop window in Helsinki

This past year has made me feel a bit overwhelmed. I've been asked to teach floral design, expecially arrangement in various places like in Asun+Anno home, Kultaseppä Kulmala, Måla and More, Johanna Gullichsen, H&M home. A good design and colorful diamonds with group of wonderful flower ladies - not bad at all. I'm more than happy about all these workshops.

flower workshop in Asun+Anno home in December 2017

details in Kultaseppä Kulmala

my dear Fritillaria Persica

Arranging flower workshop is a project. It's a process that begins with planning and ends with cleaning the workshop. A lot of work in between. I never counted the hours I've spent in one workshop but it's a lot. I want that the workshop is so good that everyone is happy after the day. 

in every workshop we take pictures because you have to have a record of your beautiful floral art

Every time is different. Every flower arrangement is different even though we all use same flowers. We are different. After every workshop I think how could I express my way of working better. The real and short version is - intuitive. But you can't teach people by saying "I like it this way. Someone asks "Why?" My answer could be "Well, I feel it and see it." Believe me I've been working hard to find the right words for the creative work with flowers. But it's quite same like in painting. Colors, texture, shapes and composition.

s set up at Måla and More before our flower students arrived

First one is always the hardest one or is it? I don't think so. Second one is the hardest one. To continue. When you begin from zero knowledge you are free of every rule. I think the best way to work with flowers is to keep it very relaxed. Never plan too tight what you are going to do because it's all about ingredients and they will direct you for sure. I could say I make big decisions when I choose flowers for the workshop. But when we are talking about flowers you can't promise certain flower with certain color because you might not get it. You always have to have a plan b. Flowers are also quite expensive material to work with.

blue flowers - I like, do you?

Colors, shapes and textures. I love to combine colors in quite bold way but I know that when I choose colors then I need more time to create the flower arrangement. I love the challenge - how to get all the colors together in harmonious way. And the important thing is time. You need time. You are surrounded by all the beautiful flowers and yes you should have time to enjoy it. It's important to have also a break. A pause. Part of creative work is learning when to take a pause. Take a few steps backwards, do something else. Drink coffee, walk or eat delicious food.

delicious lunch by Meri-Tuuli Väntsi at työhuone ovi 10

That brings me back to our workspace työhuone ovi 10. I have organized workshops there from the Autumn 2016. I organized my own flower arrangement and flower photography workshops first time in Mars 2018. 

I believe that all we do should make us feel good so in workshops there are beautiful flowers, photography, good food, beautiful natural light and time. I co-work with my lovely workspace colleague cook, food stylist and cooking book author Meri-Tuuli Väntsi. Can you imagine when you have worked almost two hours with your flower arrangement and you might be in a spot where you don't know what to do next? Then is the right time to forget the flowers and take a pause - and eat something! Talk with like-minded people. 

when we photograph flowers we also have props

After lunch we continue with flower arrangement and when it's ready we begin to photograph. You photograph your own beautiful flower work with my help. We see the arrangement through the lens and make some adjustments because the world is different through the camera. You might need photos for your portfolio or you want to make an art photography print on your wall or maybe you just want to show your friends your floral art. But we also do it because it's good to photograph your arrangement before you leave the workshop because never know what can happen to it.

learning manual exposure

I've been writing about flower arrangement workshops but I also arrange flower photography workshops where we go through very basics of manual exposure. It's worth to learn if you are planning to get better in photography. On that workshop day we don't make a flower arrangement but we photograph flowers with props. You learn bits of composition too. Manual exposure will open you a new view to photography. Finally you get your blur to the right place.

a flower arrangement for advertise H&M Club flower workshop

All you see here in this picture is done by a photographer. Developing your own skills in different things is always a good thing. I've noticed that painting has helped me to make better photos and it was easier to begin with flowers too - colors, shapes, textures. The most unpleasant feeling comes when you have a doubt that you can't do it. How can you know if you never try? You don't have to be the best - enjoying is enough reason to begin.

flower crown workshop at Johanna Gullichsen

Many of the students have been so happy and almost surprised about their arrangement or crown. Flowers are wonderful ingredient to make feel good art.

floral art by Kristiina

If you are still with me you are in the beginning. This flower arrangement was made in Asun magazine flower workshop in Habitare 2017. A lot have happened and I don't know what to expect from the next year. I'm a photographer and now also flower artist. Love the combo. I love photograph food and lifestyle  (and flowers of course !) and I love to make flower art.

flower arrangement for Helsingin Sanomat story in spring 2018

I'm very thankful for all the lovely stories about me in different magazines like in Helsingin Sanomat. They asked me to make this flower arrangement above with basic flowers from the flower shop. Ok, I added few mine special ones but still it's quite basic, haha.

flower arrangement done by 30 people

Thank you for reading my blog post and I want to wish you a wonderful autumn ! This pic above is from this year's Taiteiden yö in Helsinki. We made flower art together - 30 persons and look how it looks? Not bad? Quite bold and wild I think. That's good, don't you think?

More information about flower arrangement workshop

More information about flower photography workshop

Welcome!


xoxo
Kreetta