Tips on Tuesday- Save Yourselves! It’s Not Just the Cicadas, the Killer Flowers are Coming!

I’m trying my best not to freak out over the Cicadas that are expected this summer.  They won’t harm flowers I am told, (thank goodness, or you know I would be at every wedding hiding out with a fly swatter!).  Anyway, what I would like to warn you all about are two invasive species of flowers that are showing up not very far from the Hudson Valley.horror comic image

The first is known as “Poison Parsnip”.  This yellow toned, lacey beauty looks like Queen Anne’s Lace, and a little bit like Yarrow.  My Mother was affected terribly by this plant after gardening in the Adirondacks a few years ago.  That is when it was first brought it to my attention.

parsnip

parsnip in field

close up of parsnip leaves

This poisonous plant reacts with UV sunlight, and causes mild to in some cases quite severe second degree burns! A mild case can cause red skin, like a steam burn from your tea kettle.  Many times blotches and skin discoloration may last for a few years.

The sap is not an oil, unlike poison ivy, so it won’t linger on your clothes, pets, lawn mowers, etc. Being phytotoxic, one must come in contact with the sap in the sun in order to get the burn. Here is an article with some more information:

http://sites.middlebury.edu/middland/2010/06/23/poison-parsnip/

And here is what Wikipedia had to say about it:

“While the root of the parsnip is edible, handling the shoots and leaves of the plant requires caution as the sap is toxic.[32] Like many other members of the family Apiaceae, the parsnip contains furanocoumarin, a photosensitive chemical that causes a condition known as phytophotodermatitis.[32] The condition is a type of chemical burn rather than an allergic reaction, and is similar to the rash caused by poison ivy. Symptoms include redness, burning, and blisters. Afflicted areas can remained discolored for up to two years.[33] Although there have been some reports of gardeners experiencing toxic symptoms after coming into contact with foliage,[34] these have been small in number compared to the number of people that grow the crop. The problem is most likely to occur on a sunny day when gathering foliage or pulling up old plants that have gone to seed. The symptoms have mostly been mild to moderate.[35] The toxic properties of parsnip extracts are resistant to heating, or a storage period of several months. Toxic symptoms can also affect livestock and poultry in parts of their bodies where their skin is exposed.[36]“

But Poisonous parsnip isn’t the only plant we should be worrying about!  Then there is the dreaded, GIANT HOGWEED!  This gigantic beauty is also looks similar to Queen Anne’s Lace, but is listed as a Federally noxious weed by the EPA!  It may even cause blindness!!!  Holy cow!  Here is the EPA’s announcement about it: http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/39809.html

Hogweed

Please be careful out there fellow gardeners and DIY brides especially!!!  These plants will mess you up if you aren’t careful!  If there was ever a season to maybe splurge on professionally designed flowers for your wedding or home decor, this would be the one!  Be safe out there friends!

~Heather

 

The Classes are Coming, the Classes are Coming!!!

 

Birds _Finally_

Finally!  I have managed to finagle a few dates and times that I will be able to offer classes and workshops to our fans!

So many of you want a class where you can learn the basics of getting flowers to look good in a vase, so I am offering a wildflower vase class to help you all get started.  My dearest DIY girls are also begging me to get it together and add some classes for them too!  I’ve got you ladies.  Since I really can’t cram all the DIY designs and discussions into one class, I’m breaking it down into 3 separate offerings, one devoted to the basics, one devoted to all things rustic and vintage, and one devoted to designs incorporating candle designs and submersible flowers.  Hopefully you will be able to find the match for you and your own unique needs.

Please check out our website under the “Classes and Workshops” section for more information.  I really hope you will be able to join us!  To sign up, please give us a call at the studio 845.802.0750, or send us an e-mail at anightinbloominfo@gmail.com

 

Mompreneur Monday- Squeezing in Family Time Amid the Madness of Wedding Season!

Wedding season began a few weeks ago, here in flower land.  We were so fortunate to have our first wedding of the season take place at the Highland’s Country Club in Garrison, NY (yes, pictures will be coming!).  We had the pleasure of working with one of the most delightful couples, who happened to have very simple delivery requirements.  So when I realized I would have the majority of the day free, I opted to take the rest of the day and head over to Cold Spring and Bear Mountain with Bryan and the little ones!

This type of business can be brutal on my family and social life at times.  For me, what has worked best is finding little pockets of time, not stressing over the small things, and just making it work.  Case in point: the evening before and the morning of any wedding delivery day is very hurried and stressful, so we didn’t even think about lunch.  We opted to grab a pizza in Cold Spring, and ate it at the park; out of the box on paper plates.  The kids loved their “pizza picnic,” and we were the envy of all the other little ones there.  I’m sure other types of parents would have packed a perfect picnic lunch, complete with all of the toddler utensils and whatnot.  Not a flower mommy, I don’t always have that luxury; although I did pack drinks and snacks ;-)

What a GREAT start to 2013!  Cheers Mompreneurs!

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New Etsy Offerings!

For a very long time I have been stockpiling recycled glass jars, thanks to the help of my Shirt Factory neighbors, friends and family.  Well, I have finally had a chance to dress them up (with the help of my wonderful assistant, Nadine!).  These little lovelies will be appearing on our Etsy site, as well as in the studio.  We can print just about anything you like on these jars (and yes, of course we have a TON of vintage jars too!), and dress them up in lots of different trims, just ask and we’ll hop to it!

We have lots more in store for you coming soon, including vintage accessories by the case and those lace/ jute/ burlap candles by the case.  Happy shopping everyone!

~Heather

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Just in time for summer!

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These magic jars remind me so much of some of the mountain weddings we have created in the past.

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I think this one is my favorite!  It would look so great with a strand of LED seed lights in it, or one of those glitter and glow stick fairy potion creations.

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Catching up With a Few Questions and Comments

Pink Anemone

Hello everyone!  I just wanted to write a quick blog to reply to all of the recent questions and comments on our Facebook over the past few weeks.  I have also received many e-mails about how to become a floral designer or florist; and a few asking for small business start up advice.

I’m going to tackle our Facebook comments first.  First of all I absolutely LOVE seeing so many former clients on here, thank you all for keeping in touch!

Katrina- Congrats, I just saw that you are expecting!!!  What wonderful news!

Martha, Amanda, and Natasha- I can’t wait either!!!

Carol Gast Kohn- We have done tons of fall weddings in the past! Please check out our website, blog, and Pinterest for some of our past work.  As for silks, we really don’t work very much with silk, we certainly have the ability to, however we really prefer fresh flowers.

THANK YOU so much for all of your sweet words and comments! You sure know how to make a girl feel loved!

Pink Anemone and Delphinum with Cherry Blossom

As for all of the e-mails about becoming a florist, I know there is a lot of conflicting information out there; but I still recommend working FULL TIME, YEAR ROUND for traditional flower shops, (not event florists),  to really get the hang of this industry.  And honestly, I would recommend a minimum of 5 years, complete with all of the holidays.  There is so much to this business, it is not simply being able to work with beautiful flowers.  Having a floral business involves TONS of paperwork, math, science, marketing, photography, cleaning, health issues, very little sleep, and DRAMA.  I know many of you would like to find the express lane to a successful career in this field, but there isn’t one.  You absolutely must put in the time and make the necessary sacrifices to really be successful.  I have been working in this field since I was in my teens and I still learn something new every day.

For those of you who are looking to start your own small businesses, I would strongly recommend enlisting the help of a small business adviser who can guide you through writing a solid business plan and all of the paperwork you will need to help you get started.  For those of you with babies on board, hoping to start small businesses from home, please refer to some of our Mompreneur posts.  I have been really bad about posting in this category, but I’m trying my best!

I hope that covers some of your questions.  We have a very busy season ahead of us and I’m looking forward to sharing it all with you.  Thank you all so much for your participation in our small business adventure!

~Heather

 

Introducing….Spring Samplers!

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m going to lose it if spring doesn’t get here right away!!!  To chase away my winter blues I have been trying my best to keep a few bunches of fresh flowers at the studio (despite having no weddings for a few more weeks),  and my mood has improved tremendously!  Which got me to thinking, I’m sure we could ALL use some spring in our lives right now!  So for a limited time, we are offering sampler vases for $20 all spring long!

Yellow Tulip Sampler 2

This week’s Sampler is New York State Grown Tulips, Florida State Grown Fragrant Myrtle, and Bupleurem!  Over the next few weeks we will offer samplers in the following categories: Tulips, Anemones, Forsythia, Daffodils, Lilacs and more, depending on weekly availability.

The studio will be open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10a.m.- 4 p.m., feel free to stop by for your spring fix!  And for a very limited time, we will offer delivery (for an additional $10) if you call the studio during business hours.  Delivery areas will include Kingston, Saugerties, Woodstock, New Paltz, Rhinebeck, and Red Hook.

We hope to help you all spread a little spring :-)

 

Way Back Wednesday- The Glamelia

The Glamelia! A beautiful floral creation that was big in our Grandmothers’ day,  is making a come-back with modern brides, especially those who love the vintage look!  What exactly is a Glamelia, you ask? This gorgeous variety of “flowers” is nothing you will find in nature.  The birth of Glamelias came from the Victorians adoration of Camellias.  While beautiful, Camellias flower early in the year and only for a short time.  They are also very expensive.


camellias

In the 1940s, the method was developed by florists, who used Gladiolas to produce a composite flower.  The process of creating a Glamelia flower is very tedious and involves detailed, intricate work.  Each petal of a Gladiola is stripped and reconstructed, petal by petal, to form a perfectly symmetrical new floral creation.  Each petal must be wired and secured in order to stay in place.  Although these days many floral designers use cold glue to achieve the final effect.  It is a long, difficult process, but the final result is truly exquisite.

Here are some examples of the modern day Glamelia:

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martha stewart composite bouquet

Glamelias can be made using Gladiolas, Calla Lillies, Lilllies, and Orchids just to name a few. These beautiful designs are 100% customizable, so they can easily be created to fit your style and the theme of your wedding.

Happy planning!

~Nadine

 

Mompreneur Monday- Top 10 Tips For Moms Who Run Businesses

If you are a Mompreneur who is anything like me you, don’t have time to read long articles; which is why I am so fond of top 10 style ones.  Here is one of my favorites from Inc. Magazine:

10 Tips for Moms Who Run Businesses

violet surrounded by flowers

 

 

 

Tips on Tuesday- Top 10 Blooms for Fall Weddings

As temperatures begin to cool off, Mother Nature begins offering us even more amazing flowers, berries, and foliage to choose from.  Autumn is the most textural season. So many flowers have a crispier, pod like feel to them; berries have a smooth gloss; and velvety Celosia and Coxcomb are reminiscent of warm sweaters and scarves.  Here are our picks for some of the best that fall has to offer.

Antique Hydrangea

antique hydrangea

Rose Hips

rose

rose-hips-2006a-1

Coxcomb

Celosia

Sedum

sedum

Vibirnum Berry

Chrysanthemums

Sunflowers

Ornamental Kale

Hypericum Berries

 

That’s Fabulous Friday!- The Return of the Bloomie Awards and Free Flower Fridays!

I know, we have been really bad about following up with the Bloomie Awards.  http://anightinbloom.com/blog/?p=3444 These awards are usually held every December to honor everyone’s favorite wedding of the year.  The winning couple receives $100 and $100 to the charity of their choice.  However due to our winter orders, the flu that just wouldn’t quit, and then the influx of newly engaged couples; this season’s scheduling just got really wacky.   But we are finally caught up and ready to go again!  For those of you not familiar with how this works: to cast your vote please “like” your favorite wedding on our Facebook page.  Our voting deadline will be Tuesday April 2nd at 12:00 a.m.  Thank you all for being so patient this year!!!

And to show you how much we appreciate your patience and support, we are announcing the kick off of our FREE FLOWER FRIDAYS! once again.  Each Friday look for our Facebook post announcing, “It’s FREE FLOWER FRIDAY!!!”  When you see that post, please leave a comment below the post in order to be entered to win a beautiful fresh flower arrangement sent your your door, (or someone else’s door if you wish).  The winner will be selected at random.  Participants must live in the local areas of Kingston, Saugerties, Rhinebeck, Red Hook, or Woodstock.

peach and white garden rose arrangement

 That’s all for now from flower land for now,  have a wonderful weekend everyone!

~Heather