Hello Sandra,& everybody,Iv'e been enjoying reading all your messages & comments. I have been a member now for twelve months & just love the friendly staff at Petals & regard them as a great business partner to my little business. But like most little business run from home & in my case a small country town I dont get the numbers so I unfortunaltely I also dont get the large amounts of internet orders in return. I advertise every week in the local paper with the petals logo to try & draw the customers.

I find flyers help a little & instead of having business cards which as you all kwow costs $$$ I have little fridge magnets & I pop one into each of my envelopes with the greeting card & its something people can wack on their fridges to remind them next time on who to call.

I too am not making a fortune & Xmas time was dead as a door nail. If you run your business from home it's very difficult & takes a long time to get known as your relying on word of mouth in most cases & you dont have the passes by that like to look in the front window. but the over heads are cheaper in that regard so I guess thats one good thing.

I think any business takes years to really build so its determination & perservence to say the least. Only ordering what you need & not over capitalising on stock.

Hope Iv'e been of some help even though I know sometimes it may seem negitive in parts. just keep in there & believe in yourself & i'm sure you'll whether the storm. All great people were only little back yard business once too.

Regards Helen

Yes I think it does improve the life span of your stock and I use Flourish Cut Flower Food www.CutFlowerFood.com. I also have the liquid bottles on my counter which is a good upsell on any purchase of flowers.
I gernerally on put the sachets with orders over a certain amount.

Hi, does anyone recommend using crysal or other floral preservatives in their shop? I am not sure if it is worth the cost. Oh - and well done to Petals for their online order processing system - really easy to use.

hi anyone in for a chat

Edited by author 03-14-2006 06:44 PM
Seems to be quiet around here, anyway a big wave from http://www.floristnews.co.uk

hi i have to do a project for college on lighting and how it effects the colour of your flower displays ie that you dont use say dark colours for a church display were could i find any information on this subject

Thanks. I did just that after calling a few local florist. I am new at this, and I am learning by trial and error. I love it though.
Thanks again.
Jo
< replied-to message removed by QT >

Hi, Haven't been on here for ages, have been searching the web all morning for a florist blog or chat site, and cant find a thing. sad that this site isn't spread around through the industry more,so that more people would use it. Petals from bucks?? I gather your flowers have died by now, but as no one else has answered, I'll try a couple.
Recut all flowers on an angle to expose more cell area.
Up end rose heads into cold water and dunk for a a few minutes, recut and sink cut stems into a deep vase with water and crysal.
Has anyone seen anything interesting floral wise lately??
Gerbs..........recut and put into shallow water..as in a few centimetres.

hi could anyone help me. three ways to revive flowers

is ther anyone out there

hi i am a student could anyone please help me with a quick question. could you please tell me three ways of reviving flowers that are flaccid

Hi Jenny,
I am starting my own florist from home in Sydney. Can I contact you to talk about your start up needs etc?
I appreciate your help

I am selling my shop on the Gold Coast so if anyone is interested please contact me at amazing_blooms@yahoo.com.au
Cheers

I am new in the industry. I have a huge wedding coming up and will use a lot of wreaths. I am trying to get my order together and need help. I am using 9" oasis wreaths. I want to use mini roses, so how many should I order for each wreath. I am making 22. Also appox how may will the 21" wreath use
Thanks.
J

Petals Network are offering a three month free trial of our Network at the moment. You do not pay the $385 joining fee until the end of the three months and you only pay if you decide to stay with us. A great opportunity to try another relay service. Unfortunately in some areas we are not able to take new members due to our "fair trading" policy but you can give us a call on 1800 802 035 and we can let you know if there is a vacancy in your area.

Hello Sandra. Maybe Petals Network can help you! What is your shop name and where are you located. We can give you a call if you like.

Hi, I have just started up my own florist from home on the Gold Coast. I was wondering if anyone could please let me know the best way to get business. The yellow pages comes out in March and i am a memeber of Easyflowers and teleflora. If anyone has any advice of who else i should join or how to get myself known i would really appreciate it. Thanks

Where is everyone? Are you all too busy to talk.
I am a new Petals member but have been in the industry for 25 years and I think this is a fabulous idea. Things can get a bit lonely in a shop at times so it would be beaut if this was used more.I feel I am qualified to answer the lilly question. For some reason a particular flowers seems to capture the collective imagination.We have seen the "sunflower" fad, the "tulip" craze "lizzianthus" mania,"gerbera" silliness and over the past couple of years "lillies". I often wonder why in our harsh climate natives haven't caught on to the same degree as these aforementioned blossoms.They are the most beautiful of all (in my opinion) and so often ignored by many people.I think more people would buy flowers more often if we used more long lasting combinations e.g.natives and tight lillies.Not only do they last well even in summer but they look fabulous if stylishly combined.C'mon everyone write in so I can read your thoughts.

Hi everyone I'm doing a assingment for may marketing class and I need some information about the industry. Perhaps if there has been more of a demand for freshly cut flowers in the past 5 years, and have lilly become popluar resently? thanks

Hi everyone.I am a member of a networking group on wed 6th oct I have to do a 10min talk on Floristry does anyone have any tips on making my talk interisting Thanks Blooms on Varsity Gold Coast.

Edited by author 09-17-2004 10:24 PM
Hi everyone,
I have just begun a buisness course and have a case study regarding a lady who is intending on going in to buisness as a florist. I could really use some info on current trends in the industry to help me establish the best sources of Primary and Secondary research.
Please give me a hoy if u can help.

therese, of course you cant go past stirling mackaboys...what flower is that !! but, its just a matter of adding to your bookshelf, I know my bookshelf is loaded with books over the years, each and everyone helpful for something. The australian gardening encyclopedia is a good one also. The web is endless, just look up anything to do with flowers and ask for genus etc,etc and you will have a wealth of info at your fingertips.

Therese,
If you look up the www.floristry.com.au you will get the florist design school in W.A. they have an online bookshop with some fantastic books on all aspects of floristry. Good luck with your course

Edited by author 02-27-2004 07:47 PM
I have just started a course on florestry. I am looking to find information on all flowers, there colours, family, and all the information about the flowers. Does anyone know where I can find information that can assist me through this course. Such as books, web sites, software, etc.
Thanks

I am wanting to start a career in floristry but want to do a traineeship i have previous experience in beauty do employees prefer qualifications through TAFE or dloral schools? Am deciding also about corresponce

Hello All - could somebody inform me who can/can't access wholesalers in Perth, Western Australia?

I live in KL, Malaysia at the moment and will be permanently moving to Perth, Western Australia in the next couple of months. I have no formal training, but have done the floral arrangements at church for all occasions including members' weddings and main altar arrangements each Sunday for over two years. I have never charged for my work. Over here, anybody can access the wholesalers. Additionally as a loyal and longtime customer to my wholesaler, I've enjoyed greater bargaining power.

Once I'm living in Perth, I would like to carry out similar work with the church I'm joining, and to my delight have already been asked to do the floral arrangements for a close friends' wedding in September '04. I'll be doing arrangements for the church and for table centre pieces at the reception (not the bouquets).

This is again a labour of love, and I will not be charging my friends. However, with the referals my friends have made I would consider making a small business.

For the time being, can I buy flowers at wholesale prices? If not, how do I go about gaining access to wholesale prices. Look forward to the input
Kind Regards
Charmaine

Hi my name is Ally and i am looking for some advice.i have done 3 short courses in floristry,a little work experience and one wedding for a friend.nerve wracking with no real experience but it turned out great!I never knew i could enjoy something so much!Anyway up til now i havent been in a position to be able to change careers but now my situation has changed and i would love nothing more than to become a florist....if anyone can give me any help or advice i would be very grateful.I live in Adelaide,South Australia.Thank You........................................

I have enrolled in a floristry course to begin in February of next year. I'm currently looking for any florists on the south side of brisbane who would consider offering any work experience. I can be contacted by email: raeleigh@tpg.com.au
Look forward to hearing from you.........

ROBYN,
I FOUND THE BEST WAY TO FIND WORK IN THE INDUSTRY IS TO GO TO THE TRAINING PROVIDERS I.E TAFE OR FLORAL DESIGN ACADEMY AND ASK IF THEY KNOW OF ANY EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR A TRAINEE. GOOD LUCK

Robyn,�D;
Sorry I'm not sure of where any floristry schools are around your area.�D; Good Luck, Mandy. Coral Orchid Florist�D;
�D;
.
< replied-to message removed by QT >

I live in Western Australia (Rockingham) and am interested in begining a career in Florisrty. I am currently employed full time but am willing to begin a traineeship in this field. I am well presented, adept in attaining and applying new skills, dedicated and have my own reliable transport (I am willing to travel). If you would like more information or would like a copy of my resume, please email me at jadedbronze@hotmail.com. Thank you!

I'm looking for a good florist to train me in the Los Angeles area of California. If anyone has a contact or has some suggestions, I would really appreciate it!

Dear Janette.�D;
I received your email today. Thankyou.�D;
I am in Qld.�D;
Mandy. -Coral Orchid.�D;
�D;
.
< replied-to message removed by QT >

I'm a first year tafe student in Sydney. I'm currently looking for full time, part time or casual work in a florist shop, so that I can get some hands on experience.
I can be contacted either by telephone on 02 9771 0724, 0421 576 268, or by email at jwkreations@yahoo.com.au

Anyone in the Dayton, Springfield,or Columbus Ohio areas interested in learning to create professional floral designs and an exciting business opportunity working with silk florals, please contact me at:
mike111@prodigy.net

i have just discovered this website and i think it is the absolute best! i am a florist with 4 years experience and am looking for part/full time work in sydney metro area. my email is: mistyblue1978@hotmail.com

Can anyone tell me of a good intensive floral art course run in Sydney. I live in a regional area and am a mother of three and working full-time. I would like to get a solid grounding in floral design etc, over a couple of weeks. I can be contacted at annlewis@optusnet.com.au

Hi, just trying this as a newie, I am on the Sunshine Coast in Qld. Aus. I have been a floral designer for 20 years and run a training package here, covering all areas of floristry.
Recently I am looking at new ways to wax flowers, any new ideas to keep them looking perfect would be greatly appreciated.

does anyone know where i can train to be a florist in the greater manchester (UK) area.

Does anyone know of a book that sets out the traditions of people from different ethnic backgraounds in relation to flowers? Or know of whereabouts I can obtain this information?

Edited by author 05-21-2002 11:39 AM
Floristry is really interesting. I'd like to know more though.

Floristry by correspondence Beginners Course. What better way to study and become a commercial florist. For those with a touch of creativity, the scope for expression is endless. Variety is the spice of floristry, and the imagination of the florist is the beginning of beautiful work. All the main techniques used in floristry are thoroughly covered. The first part of the course covers the elements and principles of design and the theory behind floral art. The second part consists of 12 practical lessons. All materials are supplied. Email Lea Davis - Richmond Hill Floristry School - lea.davis@bigpond.com

"Power in a Flower" - Guide to running your own floristry business, includes extensive marketing. Contact leajon@bayside.hotkey.net.au

I live in the Tyldesley area of Manchester, England and am keen to get back to work after having a baby (worked for a bank for ten years before). Do florists take people without experience? I am starting course in September but would be very keen to work part-time for a florist as soon as possible.

Edited by author 01-14-2002 09:36 PM
I have just beeen retrenched and am seriously considering a career in floristry. I have an arts design background and was considering undertaking a TAFE course. Can anyone tell me if one college is regarded more highly than others? What are my real chances of gaining employment as I am 40 years of age? Your honest responses would be greatly appreciated.

Does anyone know of a good bridal flowers course in the Sydney area?

Can anyone recommend/or advise me where I can find a correspondence course in floristry?I work full time but am looking to broaden my horizons!!

Lancashire/Yorkshire area of ENGLAND.

Cheers

Can anyone tell me where I can get arum lilies in early May 2002?!?!?!? I have asked many florist types, and they all tell me that it is impossible, but surely in this day and age we import them from somewhere?

If anyone is interested in terrific floristry workshops in Melbourne later this month then I can recommend the Flowers Design School workshops. They cover Christmas Trends and Best Sellers on Friday and Saturday 21st and 22nd of September and Bridal Bouquet Trends on the Sunday and Monday. See http://www.ozflorex.com.au/educatio.htm for more info or www.floristry.com.au, or call 08 9474 4661 to book. The workshops held by Flowers Design School in Sydney were a terrific success. If you know of any other workshops coming up please post them here.

Hi Im looking to do a course in Floristry in the Essex area in England- does anyone know if an HND is available or if not the type of course to do, that will allow me eventually to set up my own business in Floristry. I'd be starting a 2nd career.... Thank you!

I have taken a local Floral class and I have a business degree. I would like to start a flower shop. Are there any pointers one can give me? Maybe a place where I can find info. in the area? Thank you

I have had 3 staff members, complete the Retail Training Certificate Level 2 , and 3. This has been excellent for my staff, and if they choose to work else where, they have management and personnel and sales skills to utilise, and backed up by a national retail certificate.
This has had a significant impact on my shops as the bottom line , the profitability of the shops has been wonderful and the repeat customer base has risen and been maintained.

The new national training package will be much more beneficial, instead of just a curiculum set, it will have a set format of things that have to be taught. So instead of skimming over some things, you will be taught the basics thoroughly. And it will be recognised Australia wide. Hope you are receptive to this, anything that lifts floristry to a standard to be proud of is a good thing. Too many manky florists have been put through so far, I will be looking forward to seeing some competent ones come through!!!

Is this the new National Floristry Training Package? I thought that it was designed to be more flexible and provide a better range of skills for florists. I beleive it also recognises prior learning, which is good. If anyone knows anything different can you post the negatives here. I was lead to beleive that it was a positive more.

Is everyone aware and do many of you know about the changes the Government wants to make to the Floristry Certificate Courses at TAFE? it could be disaterous to the future of the industry. Please make yourselves aware and have a say.

I have read so often about the downturn in the industry and generally, but I just had the best Mother's Day that I have ever had. I am not sure if this is just because I am taking a better direction for my business or if this is something that other florists have also noticed.