I N T E R A C T I V E M A G A Z I N E / V O L 2 Mid April 2022 FLORISTRY EXPANDING THE ART OF
Welcome to Fleurvana Fleurvana Page 02 I have been so fortunate to meet some truly exceptional souls during my floral journey. What has always inspired and impressed me the most in others is seeing their innovation and adaptability in their art forms. In this issue of Fleurvana Interactive Magazine I invite you to explore and challenge yourself to expand your own definition of floral artistry. From Designing in Miniature Form to expanding the industry through mentorship I welcome you to the Mid-April Issue. - Shawn Michael Expanding the Meaning of Floral Artistry
Interactive Magazine CONTACT US FLEURVANA MAGAZINE www fleurvanafloralartists com EDITORIAL SHAWN MICHAEL FOLEY Editor In Chief SHAWN MICHAEL FOLEY LLC Publisher CONTRIBUTORS Shawn Michael Foley AIFD PFCI Gina Thresher AIFD EMC Becky Bridger Brenna Quan AIFD Kyle Mayer Neville MacKay Sue Weisser Laurie Zelinski SUBSCRIPTIONS SUBSCRIBE ONLINE www fleurvanafloralartists com PLAYABLE VIDEO SIGN UP/REGISTRATION LINK INSTAGRAM PROFILE FACEBOOK PROFILE FLEU DOGIN OWNLOAD INCLUDED WITH FLEURVANA FLORAL ARTISTS MEMBERSHIP Your Navigation Station Login
Index FeaturedOurIndexNavigationWelcomeContributorsCreatives 0706040302 TheFlorcuterieFleurvana Vault Reconnecting with Creativity 141108 The Mini Re-Sorcery:TableIChallenge:Form2YearsLaterJustWanttoDesignScrapsEncore 40363416Page 03 Fleurvana
Fleurvana Floral BloomersMyArtistsMother's 4442 The ConnectionCreative'sto the 7CosmosBestEssential Oils for Creativity 4844 CatalystOopsieRecalibrationEmotionalMeditation:Daisies! 565452
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I first conceived of the term while talking with Shawn Michael Foley We were chatting business on a Zoom call. Offsides, his charcuterie board called, delectable and stunning, overflowing with purple and green grapes, almonds and Macadamia nuts, color and texture of all sorts In my mind’s eye, I found myself picturing this sensory bounty translated into florals, and pop! in an impromptu brainstorm, the word “florcuterie” was born. I love the word florcuterie. That it includes the word “flor,” of course, the Old French root of “flower,” but, also, “cute,” because, well…who can’t use more of that in their world today?
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Floral Artist & CEO of Bexbloomz
This concept of florcuterie has already whetted the appetite of Bexbloomz clients eager to unleash their inner floral artists and add unique and innovative focus to their tables when they entertain.
Noun[flor koo·tr·ee]The art of curating, arranging, and presenting a smorgasbord of seasonal blooms as a beautiful, bountiful centerpiece display, in the tradition of the art of preparing an enticing charcuterie as a dinner party’s highlight. “Florcuterie” may not appear in the Oxford English Dictionary yet but integrating this innovative concept to my floral lexicon has opened up a bold new design opportunity for my workshop offerings in Newport Beach, California.
The technical challenge of florcuterie is exciting, requiring floral designers to consider the mechanics for the “board,” while integrating a water source. Departing from floral foam and teaching sustainability and reusability is integral to Bexbloomz’ philosophy and the charcuterie themed presentation My “aha” moment struck when I sourced a rectangular ceramic dish. This dish, with a low rim, was able to hold water when I positioned a chicken wire pillow inside, to secure the stems The dish paired perfectly with a gorgeous cutting board size piece of blue slate, but it looks just as pretty on olive wood or bamboo This combination allows twenty plus thirsty blooms to drink and also gives them a long vase life. Florcuterie pays homage to the French art of charcuterie, a form of cuisine that focuses on prepared meats’ quality, detail, and geography. Charcuterie presents in surprising and delicious ways and is, for good reason, currently exploding in popularity. As with the creation of a charcuterie board, florcuterie offers an opportunity to work in great detail, using unique, local, seasonal offerings. Here in Southern California, there is always something blooming abundant mustard flower, spiny succulents, sun burst acacia Much like a spiral of seeded wafers, cut cheeses, or olives, small distinct blooms like these can be layered and grouped for dimension and depth. Reflexing a tulip for added shape and color, like fanning
Florcuterie does not follow a prescribed recipe It is a new and improvisational way of designing that allows me to selectively purchase premium bunches or forage from my local trail. For workshop participants, florcuterie is a sampling bonanza, a less scripted way to select, design, and present dazzling centerpiece work A d h fi l l b h ki
Embellishments, or garnishes, such as a rippling piece of eucalyptus bark, candles, one or more seashells, or a long lasting lone orchid stem, finish up a florcuterie board. Like a small bowl of cornichon or a stem of red grapes, they serve as visual continuity I have partnered with Le Pain Quotidien in Newport Beach to introduce and teach the new floral concept of florcuterie I fill a generously long farm table in the center of the space with many glass vases overflowing with Wabara spray roses, dark pink scabiosa, and ranunculus in deep rich tones, along with many other seasonal blooms. The table alone is sensuous and dramatic The café offers tasty French charcuterie and a beverage of choice (red, white, or rose?) to accompany the two hour hands on demonstration.
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Floral Freelancing How to grow your career in floral freelancing.Shamay Andrich Instagram Demystified The organic Instagram Strategy and guide to content creation every creative needs. Shawn Michael Foley Natalie Ryan Page 12
Valentine's Day The Art of Wire, Tape & Glue Calm & Cozy on Camera Woodland Wreaths Order, Design & Sell Smarter with Patience Pickner's Valentine's Day Masterclass The must watch Masterclass for learning mechanics for boutonnieres, corsages, flower crowns and more Conquer the 5 biggest fears of being on camera with Shawn Michael Foley The Art of the woodland wreath with Shawn Michael Foley Patience Pickner Shawn Michael Foley Rebecca Raymond Shawn Michael Foley
Reconnecting Fleurvana with Creativity I had the opportunity to sit down for a video interview with my long time floral friend Kyle Mayer. Kyle is based in the Twin Cities area and currently works at Lake Harriet Florist In this chat we discuss Kyle's journey through floristry and where he finds his inspiration when selecting his luscious floral pallets ShawnMichaelFoley Interviewer
Floral Artist
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The original challenge was to create 5 miniature designs and challenge 5 people each day to do the same Needless to say it spread like crazy through the floral industry to the point where I couldn't even count how many designers were enjoying the challenge!
To commemorate the 2 year anniversary of the original challenge we invited floral artists to submit their designs to us We are proud to feature our top 15 submissions!
It was March of 2020... the month the world went into lockdown due to the COVID 10 Pandemic. Florists all over the world were closing up shop not knowing if they would ever be re opening. Being stuck at home myself, I was starting to get a little stir crazy. On a whim I masked up and went to my local Target and purchased a few Barbies I found some flowers at Trader Joes and clipped some foliages out of my yard. Since I wasn't able to work with live models the Barbies would have to due I designed a few Human Form styled designs on the dolls and I thought it might be fun to challenge a few flower friends to make some as well. The "Mini Form Challenge" was born
10 Two Years Later... Fleurvana Floral Artist, Author & Mentor Shawn Michael Foley AIFD PFCI
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I JUST WANT TO DESIGN It's time to get excited about your designs again! Does your design business just feel like an obligation? Do you roll your eyes or cringe whenever you have to design for your clients? If you're like many creative entrepreneurs you probably feel like the artistry you loved has become just another stressor, like you’ve lost your passion for your art and your designs are repetitive and boring. You may even wonder if design is still right for you or if it’s time to call it quits before you get trapped. Well think again! Floral Artist, Mentor, & Author Shawn Michael Foley AIFD PFCI 34 Order Your Print Copy
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You can fall in love with your design business all over again! In this book, author, designer and life coach, Shawn Michael Foley AIFD, PFCI teaches you everything you need to know to stop feeling trapped and thrive creatively so you can get your career back on track. Through Shawn's A.R.T.I.S.T.I.C. Journey, you will learn how to: Reconnect with your creative flow in 8 easy steps Handle and sidestep your stress and frustrations to boost your productivity- Stay on track with your creative goals and ideas Remember what excites you about design Rekindle the love for your work and for your business. Order your copy and relight your spark for your design business!
Download Your Free Digital Copy!
About the Cover Page 36 Fleurvana Table Scraps
Why Table Scraps? After years of running my own retail shop I was ready to pivot into a freelancing lifestyle. As I started doing more freelance work I soon realized I really didn't have much original content to post anymore on social media One night after cleaning up a wedding I asked if I could take a few scraps leftover from the event back to my hotel room with me I started playing around with them and made a cute flat laying design and took a few photos of it.
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Sue Weisser I posted it to my facebook page and woke up to over 100 likes and a few dozen comments. I never thought people would be so excited by a few leftover flowers but I realized in that moment I had stumbled onto something I decided to turn it into a regular series that I would post after freelance jobs and workshops. I discovered there was an added bonus to doing this aside from creating content. I had wanted to have more practice with taking better images with my smartphone and this was a great way to kill two birds with one stone Over the years I upgraded my phone and kept experimenting with photography in small scale and have found so much joy in creating the Table Scraps Series
To this day, every Table Scraps image is still designed by using leftover and discarded botanical Iproduct.thinkas designers we fall into wanting everything to be perfect and end up forgetting to look at the little gems of beauty already around us.
ReSorcery Encore Viewing: A Fleurvana Fan Favorite Floral Artist, Freelancer & Mentor Meet Your Mentor Brenna Quan Free Encore Class Fleurvana AIFD CFD
ReSorcery Masterclass
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Become a Fleurvana Floral Artist! Full Access to the Masterclass Vault New Monthly Masterclasses with LIVE Q&A Sessions Mentorship & Coaching Monthly Mentorship Calls with Shawn Michael Foley AIFD PFCI Private Facebook Community If one of us wins, we all win! Connect with your Fleurvana Family and Team Fleurvana through the Private Facebook Community. Retreats & Conferences Fleurvana offers you both virtual and in-person events. All of our in-person events are recorded, so you can still join in the immersive experience even if you're unable to join us there! Exclusive Membership Perks Early Access to New Events Be the first to know what Fleurvana is up to next! Members of Fleurvana Floral Artists get early access to sign-up and tickets for Fleurvana Academy Programs & Events! Discounts on all Fleurvana Academy Programs & Events You will receive a 25% discount on any Fleurvana Academy Programs & Events. Commissions Become a Fleurvana Affiliate and receive a commission for every new member who signs up under your recommendation!
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One of the foundational pillars of Fleurvana is the element of mentorship Encouraging, supporting & nurturing the next generation is crucial for the survival of the floral industry. Finding a true mentor in this field sadly can be quite challenging. That being said, there are a few gems out there who believe in the importance of mentoring the next generations of florists. One of my long time mentors is none other than the outspoken Neville MacKay. Join Neville and I in this intimate interview where we chat about his journey through floristry, mentorship, where the industry is headed and how to stay passionate about your art through the lifetime of your career
My Bloomers
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Fleurvana Floral Artist, Entrepreneur & Mentor Neville Mackay
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While Jupiter and Neptune meet up about once every 12 or so years, they only meet in Pisces about every 150 years making this a once in a lifetime event. The last time they met was 1856 and it won’t happen again until 2188. This conjunction sparks a new cycle that will be intense in April but create themes that will last until they meet in Aries in 2035. This is BIG mutable water energy, which all about spiritual awareness, emotions, and creativity. In their home signs Jupiter is especially expansive, creative, spiritual, and Neptune is exceptionally dreamy and intuitive.
April 2022 Jupiter Conjunct Neptune in Pisces Astrology is all about planetary energy, timing, and cycles. Any time 2 planets come together or form a conjunction it is the beginning of a new cycle On April 12 Jupiter the planet of expansion and abundance meets up exactly with Neptune, the planet of illusion and mysticism in Pisces, starting a new cycle. Neptune is the ruler of Pisces and is said to feel at “home” in this sign. However, in ancient times before Neptune was discovered, Jupiter was the ruler. This conjunction brings the both the modern and traditional ruler to their home base, where they can easily express their native energies. Why is this important?
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Astrologer & Wellness Mentor Laurie Zelinski is a time when creatives may experience heightened states of inspiration and even in dreams. This can be the stuff of magic! How you will experience this energy specifically depends on where Pisces is in your birth chart. is the best way to work with this energy? this mutable, water energy needs a container to have form. If you don’t already, now is a great time to keep a journal, create an inspiration board, or even a vision board. Because it can also be overwhelming and seem “out of bounds”, staying present and grounded in reality is
Things like having a consistent spiritual practice such as prayer or meditation can help. Dream big, but don’t get carried away. you a magical Jupiter/Neptune conjunction in Pisces!
I diffuse Bergamot oil when I need a little mental pick me up I've found it helps balance conflicting emotions and boosts confidence when brainstorming new creative ideas Considered to be a sacred oil, Frankincense is believed to connect us directly to the divine When I'm feeling creatively blocked or like I'm on the production hamster wheel I diffuse Frankincense to help reconnect with my purpose.
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Best Essential Oils for Inspiration Bergamot Frankincense
Lavender Jasmine Lavender is one of the most versatile essential oils out there I have found it helps to lower anxiety and promote relaxation Jasmine is believed to help promote creative ideas and a sense of euphoria This highly fragrant oil can also be used to aid in tapping into your creative flow before communicating your ideas When Sourcing Your Essential Oils - Always make sure your oils are Therapeutic Grade to ensure they are not synthetic - Buy organic oils and oils free from pesticides - Read labels and use caution if applying to the skin, not all oils are skin safe - A little goes a long way - Fragrance is a very personal experience and is the strongest memory trigger. It's ok if you don't like every one.
Rosemary
Diffusing Essential Oils: Diffusing Oils while working is often a great way to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy while you're being productive. If you're new to using essential oils in this way remember to start low and slow It may be tempting to put 10 drops in your diffuser and crank it on high There is no need to overload your olfactory receptors Start with one or two drops of your desired oil and take note of how you respond. Some people are much more sensitive to fragrance than others.
Herbal yet citrusy, Rosemary oil has been studied and shown to help improve memory and focus Diffusing this oil while drafting proposals can be very beneficial One of my personal favorites. Wild Orange is a deliciously sweet orange oil and is also said to be the oil of abundance. Diffuse this oil when you need an energy boost or you're feeling brain fog Conversely it can also help to quiet the mind when falling asleep
Wild Orange
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Floral Artist, Reiki Master & Mentor Shawn Michael Foley AIFD PFCI Rose Although one of the most expensive essential oils on the market, Rose oil helps us to tap into our deepest passions and desires. It enhances romance and promotes an intense love for your artistry.
Creative Energy Meditation: Emotional Recalibration Fleurvana Page 52
Find a Quiet space where you won't be interupted and enjoy this guided meditation Play Meditation
Where the heck is my phone? Have you ever found yourself in that frantic state after you have cleaned up a wedding, and finally hop in the driver's seat to go home and then you realize you have no idea where your phone is? Well I certainly have! I ripped through all of the flowers and supplies I had stacked up in my car trying to find my phone and I finally found it in the most unlikely of places. Check out where I finally found my phone in the video clip. Oopsie Daisies!
Oopsie Daisies!
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Floral Artist, Entrepreneur & Educator AIFD EMC
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A few years ago I was fully committed to the floral grind lifestyle. I was overworked, underpaid, under valued, exhausted and ultimately didn't have anything left in me to give. I had two choices. Continue working through extreme fatigue and burnout or start looking for a more energetically sustainable approach to my career. I chose to find a better approach. This sojourn lead me into healing and reconnecting with my creativity on a deeper level and intimacy than I ever thought was possible. The past four years I have redefined myself as a guide to help other creative souls find their way through the dark to discover their own unique success. I have taken the best practices that have not only helped my clients over the years but have also helped me to accomplish amazing things in my life. I invite you to take this journey with me to reconnect with and discover your calling through the Catalyst Program.
Floral Artist, Mentor & Energy Guide Shawn Michael Foley AIFD PFCI
W E L C O M E T O F L E U R V A N A When the Student is ready... THE TEACHER WILL APPEAR
