4 minute read
FEATHER & BLOOM
from AUGUST 2022
Feather & Bloom Marketplace is more than a florist.
Owners Jen Horn and Kristen Carty offer a cozy, hometown feeling in their shop at 122 Mountain Road in Suffield where the flowers they use for their handcrafted arrangements are often locally grown.
“We are a full service florist, able to accommodate most needs for our clients,” said Horn. “In our shop you can find us working away on daily bouquets with fresh cut stems (locally grown as much as possible), our signature painted mason jar arrangements, unique containers filled with florals, fulfilling our weekly floral subscriptions or working with unique stems for weddings, corporate events, small gatherings and special request orders.”
Customers love their mason jar arrangements, especially the hand-painted jars that come in an array of pastel colors paired perfectly with the blooms. Other arrangements come in one-of-a-kind pottery pieces or vintage metal containers. No matter what vessel is used, Feather & Bloom arrangements are distinctly
unique and special.
Feather & Bloom has a weekly floral subscription option, as well as a very unique subscription – flowers and bread.
“Each week we partner with Small State in West Hartford to offer a bread and blooms subscription,” said Horn. “Our floral focus is always on unique stems, things you wouldn't find at your local grocery store or when ordering from national floral chains.”
The gifts at Feather & Bloom are curated with customers and local artisans in mind.
“Our customers love to gift and we love to help them gift,” Horn said. “We strive to offer a variety of gifts in the $20 price point that are easy to give and appeal to a wide range of recipients. Whenever possible we ‘go local’ if we can buy it locally or have a local artisan make it that is our preference. At the top of our gift giving list is candles, soaps, journals, earrings and plants in cute containers.”
Carty is the primary florist, having learned the art from the original Feather & Bloom owner who started the business five years ago then passed it on the Carty and Horn.
Horn said Carty has always been a creative person and worked as a photographer, loves to paint and has a flair for interior design and a passion for
garden design.
“Her passions and hobbies made her a perfect fit for a floral partner at Feather & Bloom,” said Horn. “Kristen finds inspiration all around her and is a self -taught natural.”
Carty’s extensive global travel and living have given her knowledge and experience to also be able to work with a wide range of clients and bring in a variety of florals and styles, which she said makes this job fun and fulfilling. "I feel so blessed that I fell into this career and I can't imagine doing anything else,” Carty said.
Horn brings years of retail experience and an education in business from Bay Path University to Feather & Bloom. She runs the day to day business end of things, behind the scenes and works with 40+ local makers. Together they decide what lines to carry in the marketplace each season and both share a love for the plants that is a big part of the business.
Both women credit their staff and customers for their success.
“We have the best staff that have a love for our business as much as we do,” said Horn. “They each bring something special to our business. And we are so thankful to our customers who are like family and
have supported our little dream from day one.”
When they moved to their current location three years ago, it was to be part of the heart of their community and they are committed to supporting those around them.
“We love community events and host a little makers event once or twice a year to benefit the local community aid,” said Horn. “These little makers, make, create and sell in a vendor style pop up event. They are responsible for all aspects of selling including signing a contract, paying a small fee -- that is donated - marketing their space and creating a product that is desirable. Each year just about all the little makers sell out. We donate to as many requests as possible and host as many events as we can.”
