Fleuratorium
Vickie - Head Floral Designer.
What better way than spending the day surrounded by flowers? They look beautiful and can smell amazing. I decided to follow a long held ambition and set up the Fleuratorium, as far as possible designing using locally grown British flowers and foliage. But more than arranging flowers I wanted to commit to encouraging and championing other women in business that shared my ethos. This would allow me to offer my customers an eclectic mix of gorgeous floral themed products. Increasingly, it’s important that our environment is considered and to this end, whenever possible, I use foam-free alternatives when designing. Making a conscious decision to use ethical and sustainable methods from production to delivery.
Favourite flower: if pushed to choose one, it would have to be the Magnolia Grandiflora but the one I would choose from my garden, undoubtedly the tulip with the mahonia a very close second.
& Friends...
Alicia - Head Floral Designer, Flourish Sussex Flower School.
Flourish Sussex Flower School offers a different approach to floristry training. Traditional methods are left at the door and there is a strong focus on creativity, design and individual style development. As well as offering practical courses the school also teaches the business side of the floristry, vital if you are starting out in the industry and Alicia offers ongoing business support too.
Alicia is an inspirational floral designer and business woman. Our paths first crossed when I was researching getting into floristry. Flourish Sussex Flower School stood out for its artistic flair, sustainable ethos and incredibly innovative designs. Having attended a masterclass, I was hooked and have been guided, supported and encouraged by Alicia on my own path to fulfilling my dream.
In terms of favourite flowers, that's a hard one. Can I do it by seasons?
Spring: Ranunculus
Summer: Garden Roses
Autumn: Orange/red foliage, berries, the list is endless
Winter: Hellebores
Emma - Flower Farmer, Pitfield Barn Flowers.
Pitfield Barn Flowers is run by Emma and business partner Peter. They are flower farmers cultivating a wonderful selection of British flowers on land specially prepared and irrigated for cut flower growing. Their fields, located within Peter’s farm, are surrounded by native hedging species, with trees and hedgerows rich with birds and wildlife.
Emma grows gorgeous seasonal flowers sustainably and without the use of chemicals in an acre of land in Hurstpierpoint. The flowers she and Peter grow always provide fresh colour palettes and styles throughout each changing season, just as nature intended. This helps bees and pollinators who visit their plot to maintain a healthy ecosystem. They are members of the ‘Flowers from the Farm’ movement who celebrate the work of flower producers in the UK. As 90% of the flowers currently in the UK are imported, ‘grown not flown’ is her mantra, campaigning to promote locally grown British flowers. Join this blossoming revolution!
Favourite flower: Bluebell, as the intoxicating smell and sight of a woodland carpeted in blue in late April and early May brings back special memories of Nana.
Kate - Potter, KJC Ceramics
KJC Ceramics produces bespoke, highly coveted ceramics from their small pottery based in Billingshurst, West Sussex.
Kate is an inspirational potter and businesswoman. Our paths first crossed a couple of years ago in the world of technology that we both inhabit. Kate’s creativity stood out immediately. She has an innate sense of style and artistic flair. As she encouraged me to follow my passion for flowers, she revealed her hidden talent for ceramics. Along with her passion for sustainability and locally produced goods which resonated with me immediately, Kate is ridiculously talented and it was almost inevitable that a collaboration would be a perfect opportunity to bring our creative ideas together. It’s been such fun having an input into the designs, glazes and shapes used in the Signature Collection. I’m excited for you to have the chance to own a piece and hope you agree that these stylish ceramics are so beautifully crafted that even when they aren’t displaying blooms, they will look gorgeous.
Favourite Flower: Allium - I love that their elegant pom-pom flower turns into such a sculptural seed head. Just beautiful.
Andy - Woodworker, HoT Acorns
HoT Acorns specialise in working with Oak and have produced a range of characterful signage for Fleuratorium.
Andy creates his eye-catching designs from his own workshop, enjoying the calming nature of working with a sustainable natural product. His attention to detail and craftsmanship is evident in each piece he masterfully produces. With speech bubble labels and company name signage, Fleuratorium’s brand has developed a very unique look.
Favourite Flower: Red Rose, the ultimate symbol of love.