Lisa Hayhurst focuses on making final touches to her floral creation. The design used white flowers with greenery for St. Patrick's Day.
Cheri Thompson gives direction to attendees of the Remarkable Floral Make and Take event March 14. She led the class through naming the flowers and creating their individual designs.
Remarkable Floral Make and Take participants (L-R) Norann McDaniel Darla Taylor, Shirley Goudzwaard and Lisa Hayhurst listen as instructor Cheri Thompson provides information on the greenery and its purpose for the St. Patrick's Day arrangement.
SEELEY LAKE - ReMarkable Floral is adding fun to their services. Last week they offered a Floral Creation Make and Take, this was the second in a series.
The first Make and Take happened last November. It was well received, according to Ruthie Mizner-Welch, owner of ReMarkable Floral. Talking to people she learned they were interested in doing more.
"Flowers are happy. Most people respond really positively to flowers," Mizner-Welch said. "We got several comments from the one we did in November. The first one said that it was just really nice to have something different to do, particularly in the winter months. And they said, well, maybe they want time off in the summer. They say, oh, no, they had so much fun. We did have a number of repeat customers last night."
"It is promotional for us," she said. "We are hoping people will buy product from us to do at home. Part of what we teach is foraging. If they find some really cool stuff that they might bring that to us, as well as be able to pick things from their own gardens, and then may want to enhance it with product from us."
"We encourage people to be adventuresome," said staff member Cheri Thompson.
The classes are open to seven participants since space at ReMarkable Floral is small. The idea is to line everyone up in a way they can see the demonstrator working at the design center, something Mizner-Welch said is challenging.
Cost for the class depends on the market. The floral industry has been hit like everybody else, Mizner-Welch said. By 2021, 100 flower growers in California alone went out of business because of COVID.
"Obviously that and then the other growers who are managing to stay alive, have trouble finding enough staff," Mizner-Welch added. "Transportation issues that have come up there aren't enough flights. This is a live product that has a rapid deterioration point. If we don't have quick transportation, we can't get our flowers. The supply chain has been hugely impacted and the amount of product available and the costs have gone up just drastically."
As a business, ReMarkable Floral absorbed a great deal of the increased cost raised at the wholesale level, which Mizner-Welch said had a big impact.
ReMarkable Floral opened their doors in April 2014. In attempts to add services they have added the little cooler at Cory's Valley Market. This helps since hours were reduce by COVID. Ruthie is hoping to go back to longer hours this summer at the shop.
The shop offers some specialty items people may need along with wedding and funeral floral arrangements. Mizner-Welch's goal is to offer unique items not available from other local shops, however, there is some duplication.
The current plan is to host a Teacup Make and Take before Mother's Day in May, Something Beach Themed in July and Christmas design in December. For more information or to find out the specific dates and times call 406-677-3200.
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