While at Southport Flower Show I had the pleasure of meeting Jackie Taylor and Ann Coulton. They attend each year, helping to create floral displays for the show. This year was no exception, helping to design a catwalk with a difference. The ladies don’t limit their talents to Southport however, and love being able to do this many times over in various venues and countries. Just recently they did the flowers for the Common Wealth Service along with other NAFAS members.
Flower Arrangers Jackie and Anne
Jackie found flower arranging 24 years ago when her son was due to be married. She wanted to contribute in a more meaningful way, so she began her flower journey and took classes. Jackie was an accountant beforehand so was a huge change when she decided to pursue floristry after the wedding.
Ann has been a florist her whole life even though she actually wanted a job in fashion. She had her own business which her daughter took over. Her daughter took this opportunity and transformed it. She now is part of Flowers from the Farm.
They both are part of flower groups including NAFAS. They talked highly of being able to introduce young children to flower arranging through workshops. Being creative can really change a person’s mentality. They have witnessed even the most disruptive children change and grow throughout the workshops.
The Floral Creations
The show manager wanted a showstopper piece in the Grand Floral Marquee so the catwalk was born. In its 3rd year now, the 2018 title was ‘A world of imagination’ in keeping with the shows overall theme.
Letting your eye walk over the designs you could find a Snow Queen, Genie, Fairy, Wood Nymph, Mermaid and other intriguing characters. A total of 8 people worked hard to create the display as a whole. Using dried plant material, succulents, slow drying flowers wire, wood and glue were main components found in the mermaid design, created by Jackie. Jackie tells me that the mermaid’s tail was tricky and took a lot of mechanics to stay in place. The whole design took roughly 2 weeks to create working on and off.
With the ladies working from home pre making most of their designs, they say how it was difficult to then transport the work they had done.
This dress is made predominantly out of banana leaves and bark, our banana products in fact.
Question time
I asked the ladies what their favourite technique was to use and what they would change in the industry.
Ann replied by telling me that she loves to use natural materials. She uses foraged materials and has a great eye for spotting things. While in her car she spotted workmen cutting down a bush, so straight away Ann pulled over and asked for some. They politely said come back later and they would save her all the best bits! That plant is used on the bottom part on the wood nymphs design.
Jackie tells me she loves wiring. In fact her designs for the 1st Catwalk here were wearable art that was heavily wired. You can see her wiring skill in this year’s pieces too. They both went on to agree that they would change the availability of non educational classes to learn floristry. Having it available for any age group is important to them.
It was lovely to meet both Jackie and Ann. They love what they do and the opportunities they are given, their even went to Berlin in August!