By Sally Sola, Founder, Cheltenham Flower School
Okay so using phrases like “teaching core floristry skills” sounds a bit scary. Like this is an advanced form of floristry and that means my floral workshops might not be for you. It makes them sound advanced. If I’m honest I can see why this could put people off.
But the reality is that these techniques are very simple. But it is not just the skills that matter; it is the concept behind them that is very important.
These skills are the foundations that underpin every professional floral design, and these are the skills that give you the freedom and the confidence to create design which are both beautiful and sustainable. It is these foundations which, once perfected, will transform your relationship with the flowers in your own house. These techniques aren’t just about making something look nice. They’re about learning how to build floral work properly, with intention and understanding.
When I teach these skills, I cover things like:
How to spiral a hand-tied bouquet so it holds its shape, sits properly in the vase and doesn’t fall apart.
Constructing foam free mechanics for arrangements, whether it’s a table centre or an urn design, so you’re not relying on single use plastic or floral foam.
The principles of balance and proportion, so your arrangements feel harmonious, not heavy or haphazard.
The importance of conditioning and caring for your flowers properly, so they last longer and develop beautifully.
Securing flowers and foliage confidently, so you never feel like you’re crossing your fingers and hoping it stays in place!
These might sound like technical details, and they are, but they’re also the difference between floristry that lasts and floristry that doesn’t. When you understand the ‘why’ behind the ‘how’, everything starts to click. You stop guessing and start creating with confidence. These skills do take practice but if you are finding something tricky during one of my workshops, I am always on hand to help you out step by step. It’s a bit like riding a bike, but once you understand what’s going on, the more you practice the better you become.
And crucially, at the very centre of it all is sustainability. I don’t believe in cutting corners if it means creating waste or using materials that damage the planet. That’s why every skill I teach is rooted in responsible practice, whether it’s choosing reusable mechanics, selecting seasonal and local flowers where possible and appropriate, or working in a way that respects both nature and the craft. That said, as the seasons change and we find ourselves in the autumn and winter months, I do have to use imported flowers and that’s okay too. But if you want to read more about local flowers, I have written another blog called “Why Buy Local Flowers” where I dive into the topic further.
I teach core floristry skills because I want everybody to walk away with more than just a lovely arrangement. I don’t just want them to feel proud of what they’ve made; I want them to understand how to repeat it again and again, feeling anchored by knowledge not overwhelmed by trends or reliant on shortcuts.
If you’re ready to build your floral confidence from the ground up, I’d love to welcome you to one of my workshops where you will be gently guided though the process with lots of support and encouragement. You can ask me any question you wish along the away and benefit from my 20 plus years in the industry. Let’s do things properly, beautifully, sustainably, and with joy of flowers at the heart of it all..
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