Designer Spotlight: Tricia Upshaw

How did you get into the floral industry  (what were you doing prior)? Was there a defining point along the way that shaped you as a designer? 

 I became a designer at the age of 16. (I wanted to be a delivery driver thinking it would be fun) Little did I know that designing flowers would  became my passion.

The owner of the small shop I worked at saw talent in me that I didn't realize I had. My turning point was when I started working at Shirley's Flowers in Rogers, AR. Jo Buttram (owner) is always educating the staff and we attend as many floral conventions as we can throughout the year. When I became an AMF (Arkansas Master Florist) I realized there was so much more to learn.

What has been the best advice you’ve been given?
  Always be open to learning. No matter how much you think you know, there is always more to learn.

What advice would you give to someone looking at the floral industry as a career choice?

 Be prepared to work hard and spend many late nights working, but it is so rewarding when you see the wonderful smile on someone's face when you hand them flowers that was made just for them.

Tell us about your design process. Do you visualize a concept first, or does the concept come together as You work on it.?  

I think we all have times that we visualize a concept, but then there are those days that you just can't see past your nose and we just start designing and then the vision comes.

How do you recharge creatively?  What is your  ‘go-to’ place or source of inspiration outside the floral world?  

 I love to take long walks and see the beauty in nature. There are so many wonderful ideas you can get just by looking at a tree or looking across a pond or a small river bank.

 How has your work evolved since you began in the industry?

  Our corsage work has changed so much in just the last few years. From using those elastic bands to now using decorative wire bracelets and diamond or pearl  keepsake bracelets.  

What new corsage trends do you see emerging  in your area, and which ones are on the way out ?   

 Bling bracelets, feathers, lots of jewels in all the corsages is very popular in our area. We also do a lot of flower rings arm bracelets for the girls. On the way out I would  have to say just your plain old basic corsages with a few sweet heart roses and pretty ribbon on an elastic band. 

In the next few months many orders will be placed  for Homecoming, Winter Formals and  of course, Prom.  Many times they are placed by customers who have never been inside a flower shop before, much less order a corsage or boutonniere… What do you think is a common  misconception  these customers have about their floral piece and/or their florist?  

 A lot of times people just don't realize there is so much thought and time put into the corsages. It's better to come in and bring a swatch of the dress color so we can match it or coordinate the corsage with the dress since most girls want more than just a plain red or white corsage.

How about a common misconception  florists have about these new customers?

 I think sometimes we forget that most of the kids at prom have never being in a flower shop before and it is our opportunity to teach about the beauty of flowers. 

Favorite flower  variety or new product you’re obsessed with right now? 

  It's not a new flower but I truly love the cymbidium orchid. I think it is beautiful in corsage work and it comes in a variety of colors.

If you were asked to provide a floral accessory to be worn  on the red carpet, what would it be? (and who would wear it?) 

 I would probably do a cuff bouquet with lily grass trailing down and yellow cymbidium orchids with hanging amaranths. Melissa McCarthy because she is so much fun 

(kinda like me) 

Final thoughts for our readers? 

Always enjoy the beauty of flowers and the smile they bring to your face. 

Tricia Upshaw

Shirley's Flowers
 128 North 13th St
Rogers, AR 72756
Phone: 479.636.0118 / 800.624.7225

Many Thanks to Tricia for sharing her story and her beautiful work with us - as always, if you have a question for Tricia or just want to
say hello, please leave a comment below

Flirty Floral

Love these garden spray roses with this prom look- almost as if they were plucked straight from her skirt!
A little bit of girly-ness  + a little sass = perfection!

Re-discovering Prom & Homecoming Flowers 2: Corsages

Florists may remember this prom specific selection guide from the John Henry Company. (published in 2009) I'm glad I bought it when I did because unfortunately it's out of print and has been discontinued as of today (they still have copies available for sale)
I was just looking through it yesterday and was amazed all over again! 

Just look at these beautiful designs... 

Check out the corsage below featuring a 

Pincushion Protea below..

(great statement flower)

Here's a close up of that flower. It's an unusual flower, not only it's shape but also the texture of it- if you brush your hand along the spiky surface you'll notice it's 
much like a rubber bristle hairbrush.  

How fun are these? Colorful Rainbow Roses 
are not always available at a moments notice- So please 
ask your local florist about their availability. 

Don't want to wear a corsage on your wrist?
No problem!
Wear your flowers up and out of the way with this 
over the shoulder corsage. It's especially pretty with this
understated dress.

Classic red roses are always popular.
here they are updated with the addition of 
orange Vanda orchids (top) and great textural elements
with interesting foliage and wire wrapped lily grass.

If these roses are too small for your taste try a composite rose. This green corsage is designed by combining the petals of 3 roses to create one big beautiful rose. 

A closer look...

This large single rose is SO much better than 
the bulky awkwardness that comes from forcing 
two large standard roses onto a wrist corsage with a bit of ribbon and baby's breath.. eww.
 

Do you recognize this model? 
I posted the composite rose photo on our 
Facebook page and someone commented;
 "She looks like the girl from the movie"
I had to check it out
 I found her name (Ashley Hinshaw) in the back of the guide and what do ya know? sure enough- she's now an actress.
Here she is on Gossip Girl..

 
  
This design book is full of inspiration!
A shout out to the talented designers responsible goes to
Ted Bruehl, AIFD, Mary Linda Horn, AIFD, Jackie Lacey, AIFD and Joyce Mason-Monheim, AIFD CFD, PCFI, AzMF
 

Let Your Prom Night GLOW!

 

Want to stand out at your prom? 
 Do you want prom flowers that no one else has?  
Be the talk of the prom with flowers that glow!  If you are thinking, “Nope lights in corsages are nothing special.”  Then you are so wrong!  There are a lot of products out there to help “light” up a corsage but they do not even compare with a Galassia corsage! 

Galassia prom flowers are not just a corsage with a light added it. 

 It is also not a glow in the dark spray that if not applied properly and not charged with enough sunlight, won’t even work! 
 
The unique combination of the fluorescence and UV light device creates 
a corsage of glowing flowers every time you turn on the switch! 
There is nothing on the market out there like it!  
So, How does Galassia prom flowers work?

Galassia Fluorescence enhances the natural beauty of flowers and takes flower color to a new level by giving them a spectacular glow! 
 For their beauty to be revealed, they need ultraviolet (UV) light supplied by custom-designed illumination device and a specially formulated solution applied directly to the flowers.  
These unique devices are imported from Australia! 

  

As you look at the pictures of these corsages, you will notice some have more of a blue hue over green hue to them.  Now some of this has simply to do with how dark the room was and the type of camera used.  But for sure, they do not have different lights or fluorescence. however, they do have different colors ribbons, accessories and flowers. 
 I’m not sure what causes this, but because the fluorescent spray is derived from plants, I believe it is a reaction to the pigmentation of the flowers 
and accents that causes this hue change. 
 This is something that I absolutely love about the product, it ensures that each and every Galassia Fluorescence corsage is completely unique! 

Want to wear one of these amazing corsages to your prom?
 The only two retail florists in the United States that I know of, offering these corsages are: Gillespie Florists in Indianapolis, IN
 and 
Twigs in Yerington, NV!  
If you do not live in Indiana or Nevada but still want one, just call the shop closest to you and ask to have the device and spray shipped to you!  Then take it to your local florist to add the corsage and flowers!  Another option would be to have the Galassia Fluorescence corsage made completely in silks and shipped to you!

To see how one of these beautiful corsages is designed, Check out these YouTube videos!

Della GIllespie-Mendenhall
Gillespie Florists
(317) 273-1100
9255 W 10th St, Indianapolis, IN 46234

www.GillespieFlorists.com

Designer Spotlight: Dov E. Kupfer AIFD CFD

Dov E. is a native El Pasoan. Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, he attended Mesita Elementary, El Paso High School, and the University of Texas at El Paso where he received a Bachelors degree in Art Education with Teacher Certification.

Dov E. has been in the floral industry for over 35 years. The first eighteen and a half  years at Kern Place Florist as head designer and manager and the last 17 years as a freelance designer of his own business, Designs by Dov E.

Dov E. is known as an award winning international designer. He has done design shows in several cities in Texas and New Mexico, as well as in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Chihuahua and Monterey Mexico. Among his awards are the WestTexas New Mexico Silver Cup, the Texas State Florists Assoc. Texas Cup in 1999, first runner up in the regional Southern Retail "Designer of the Year" Competition and the national Sylvia Cup Competition and the winner of the WTNM 2006 Jerry Dorsey Memorial Scholarship competition. He is newly certified by AIFD as an Evaluator/Judge for floral design.

Dov E. is a member of the WesTexas New Mexico Florists Assoc., Texas State Florists Assoc., and the prestigious American Institute of Floral Designers. He is the former instructor for the Professional Floral Design classes at El Paso Community College and has also taught design classes at UTEP. Dov E. has done several design shows, floral workshops and seminars, and has assisted many well known designers with their programs and classes..

Dov E.'s knowledge of all aspects of the floral design industry have garnered him much recognition in El Paso as well as in the local, regional and national floral communities. His design style is unique and innovative, with a signature that says it is a Designs by Dov E. creation.
 

How did you get into the floral industry  (what were you doing prior)? Was there a defining point along the way that shaped you as a designer? 

It was actually a fluke. I had never done flowers professionally. I did help my mother with stuff for the Jewish women's organizations she was in. She told me to go and ask for a job in a local flower shop that had been recently purchased by a Jewish man. I went, but they weren't hiring at that time. He told me I could come in after class and observe if I wanted to. I took him up on that and would occasionally go in and watch after my classes at the university.  A few months passed and the holidays were coming. He offered me a part time job after school. That's how it began. I was trained in the shop and outside workshops and classes. I was part time for 5 years until I graduated and became full time shop manager after. I was in the shop for 18 1/2 years till things fizzled. Set out on my own after that and Designs by Dov E. was born. 

 

What has been the best advice you've been given?

Be Yourself! Do what you know how to do best! Do not compromise your design style or design skills! Follow your dream and make it a reality!

What advice would you give to someone looking at the floral industry as a career choice?  

It is a career you have to be passionate about. Not always the best income, but it gives you the best gratification possible! It's not a hobby turned career profession. If you want this as a career, make sure you keep up with trends and the industry in general. It is an ever changing profession.

Tell us about your design process. Do you visualize a concept first, or does the concept come together as you work on it? 

Actually both. I can visualize something in my head. I will sketch it to see something visual. When working on designs, I will use the sketch as a guide, but it may also change in the process. Also, I can be given a challenge and design on the spot. Years of study and design principle knowledge come into play when this happens!

How do you recharge creatively?  What is your  ‘go-to’ place or source of inspiration outside the floral world?

I recharge by attending Floral events. AIFD Symposiums, State and regional conventions and workshops when possible. Inspiration happens all the time. Looking in store windows, taking a walk, or even dreaming.

How has your work evolved since you began in the industry? 

I began as a simple copy designer, designing from pictures or examples, As I progressed in my career, I began to do my own designs and became a designer. Now, I do my own designs with my own style and have become a freelance floral artist. From simple bud vase and roundy moundy designs to stage and education programs and workshops. 38 years of evolution.

What new corsage trends do you see emerging  in your area, and which ones are on the way out ?

The new designs include lots of bling and fun accenting and lots of color. We are lucky to have such companies as Oasis and Fitz and all the ribbon companies that provide us with wonderful new products to incorporate into today's designs.

 Gone are the days of the simple rose or carnation corsages or boutonnieres.  

In the next few months many orders will be placed  for Homecoming, Winter Formals and  of course, Prom.  Many times they are placed by customers who have never been inside a flower shop before, much less order a corsage or boutonniere…

What do you think is a common  misconception  these customers have about their floral piece and/or their florist?

One would be that corsages and other body flowers are available on the spot (that they can just walk in and pick one up). Another would be as you said, they have no idea, They don't know that it takes time to create them. A big misconception is that they are smaller than arrangements, so they should cost less. They have no idea how much time and effort and creativity goes into designing those body flowers.   

How about a common misconception  florists have about these new customers?

They don't know what they want. They aren't aware of all the new looks and styles that are available. They are not up to date with the times. 
Believe me, I have customers who know more than some florists I know!

Favorite flower  variety or new product you're obsessed with right now?

I love all the new wire that has come out in the market. Oasis is the leader in this. Also all the rhinestone and bling accessories from Fitz. They make my designs special!

If you were asked to provide a floral accessory to be worn  on the red carpet, what would it be? (and who would wear it?)

Wow! That's a hard one. My over the shoulder or full lapel designs are my favs.  Who would wear it!. Cher, Madonna or Lady GaGa. Imagine what they would look like! 

Final thoughts for our readers?

Be passionate about design. Learn everything you can about design and be on top of the latest looks and trends. Be a trendsetter...not a follower!!!

Dov E. Kupfer AIFD CFD
Designs by Dov E. 
Find him on Facebook!

Thanks so much to Dov for this great interview!
If you have any questions for him or just want to
say hello, please comment below