StoreFront Flowers

 

It has been a long standing vision of ours to open a storefront in a small community like Shepherdstown, WV.  We couldn’t be happier to have found a home where we can truly be the town’s “go-to” florist.  Prior to opening this store we were only able to service  special events, but now we can continue developing regular everyday offerings.  It is genuinely inspiring to be able to share our passion for flowers with the community.

We’ve been open now for only about 2 months and already feeling a strong connection with our growing customer base.  We have managed to be  booked solid since the day we first opened and have seen the shop fill with people day after day, truly engaging in the work we do.  It is so rewarding to have this opportunity where we can meet face to face with our patrons and instantly inspire them to see floral design just a little differently than they did before walking in.

Naturally, having a retail storefront is an entirely new dynamic to manage in the mix of our established events schedule, but we are thrilled by the new challenges and meeting them head on each and every day.  Not only does our undying love of flowers get us through the day, but more so, the support and encouragement of all our neighbors and  local shop owners.

So…now that we’ve finally managed to settle in just enough to share a post it’s time to hit the ground running straight into the Holiday Season.  We hope you’re able to join us for the Holidays, as you can imagine we’ve planned a handful of extravagant designs to have fresh in store.  We’ve certainly got our work cut out for us!  By this time next week this entire flower shop is going to be turned into a nordic alpine village…

PHILLY FLOWER SHOW

Last week was the International Philadelphia Flower Show.  This year was my first opportunity to attend and it was certainly a special occasion and milestone for my career and the potential of the studio.

A couple weeks prior I was asked to gather all my thoughts on how my unique background in Circus Arts has influenced my style and approach to floral design.  I had always felt a great connection between the two simply because Circus has been such an integral part of my life.  Not only as creative and inspiring career but more importantly has a crucial opportunity to diversify and develop my understanding of the world around me.  Naturally, every second of my experience in circus has shaped my approach to design because it has shaped so much of my self.

These thoughts, once assembled, where then transformed into a circus inspired bouquet created by one of the nation’s most admired floral designers, Laura Dowling.  Her discussion was held at the “designer’s Studio” and focused on how different individual backgrounds have influenced an even more individual approach and style of design.  It was fascinating. To see how a career in Market Management, Political Science, Mathematics, and Circus all equally influence art in different mediums. It truly was a genuine and inspiring dialogue attended by hundreds of designers, gardeners, and landscapers.

I decided I should share some of these thoughts in this post so as you start to see the studio grow and evolve you can better appreciate what inspires my work and where I get my passion.  Therefore, below is a collection of thoughts with some of my favorite images from the show intermixed.

ENJOY!!!

The greater component of my relationship between circus and flowers is MOVEMENT and DEPTH. When creating an acrobatic/aerial work it is crucial to explore the dimensions of the apparatus and the space it inhabits. Although the apparatus is fixed and defines the scope of space it is not limited to its tangible existence. When movement is established above the surface/ground it is liberating and allows us to escape our understanding of “self”as it relates to the world around us. Either as the acrobat or the audience the act of movement is exhilarating. We instantaneously forget we are contained by the pressures of gravity. We are certain to release our inhibitions and find freedom in the familiar fear of falling. Both the fear and freedom arise as we challenge and explore a new space of movement. This is where we begin to understand our depth and the many dimensions of space between us and the surface. As an acrobat/aerialist this space between is the essential playground of our emotions. It is the space when the audience is most connected with you. The time when your art transcends the viewers understanding of the human potential and enlightens their hope of greater potential/possibilities.

This is the very same extension between the emotion of flowers as they relate to the recipient. It is truly the space between the elements that establishes the feeling of freedom and lightness. The space that seems to levitate the spirit and release the feeling of constraint. A sense of escape. 

 

Another great and deep rooted influence in my work is the sense of culture. In the circus you have a very unique opportunity to unite a great diversity of individuals and artists into one ring. Each artists has created a single piece of work that is influenced by their very own culture and environment. As each culture and act is brought together in a single production it is not stripped of it’s individuality. It is blended with the uniqueness of other like expressions despite their differences. As each production is composed the thread/story is again created in the time between the acts. Often the clowns make sense of all the “madness” and bring together all the different cultures. These “acts” translate them as one unified piece of work to the audience.

I use this understanding in my design as an opportunity to reach out and blend what might be considered extremes. Despite the reality that each and every flower is it’s own ‘work of art’ and are from completely different parts of the world they come together gracefully in one container. Provided there is a story and a relationship established among their differences they can share in the same story and be appreciated as one by the viewer. Often I challenge myself to incorporate more diversity and blend them with a consistent common thread in order to reach a broader audience. This again is where the space between the elements translates the relationship of the art to the audience.

Extended Stay America

When your best friend is marrying a beautiful bride in Boston your studio ends up turning into a Queen Size Suite at Extended Stay America.  This gig was full of fun and challenges right from the beginning.  Not only was it a “destination” wedding for the studio but a huge logistics overhaul for our buyer and all the fantastic folks at Delaware Valley Wholesale.

At some absurd time nearing 4:30 AM after landing just hours before at Logan Int’l Airport the truck arrives loaded with a ridiculous amount of amazing flowers.  Thankfully it was so early and we were able to sneak everything in the back door completely unnoticed.  Naturally I asked permission from the Hotel but I may have left the scale of the project unmentioned.  And there was no modesty to this event.  We went all out and made not only one but two amazing events.

So as the Sun rose on our first day in MA we started processing and conditioning all the flowers.  We literally had to turn the beds into work tables and completely smothered the kitchenette in product and supplies.  Not to mention the suit cases full of the more unique product I have been collecting over the years.

 

 

Needless to say by the end of morning every inch of the room was covered from floor to ceiling with fresh flowers.  We may have forgotten to account for the need to save a bed in order to get a good nights sleep.  However, the day was off to a good start and it was time to hit up the the Boston Flower Exchange for some last minute purchases.  We all should know by now not to ever let me into a warehouse full of plants and flowers but there is no stopping me once I get going.  I can validate anything when standing in a room the size of a football field full of flowers.    Especially when one of my all time best circus buddies is the groom.

 

After all was said and done it was time to get back to the room/studio and start building the first event.  This couple was brilliant in having a small ceremony during the week followed by the reception party several days later over the weekend.  This allowed them a couple days to themselves at a romantic get away before getting swarmed by all the expectations of hosting a party for friends and loved ones.  Simply brilliant.

The ceremony was stunning and intimate along the river bank and a beautiful willow tree.  The bride had such good taste I couldn’t wait to get started on her bridal.  I loved every second of it.  Even the hours and hours it took to tape and wire all the roses.  If you can name it I  probably found a way to get it in this bouquet.  When it was all set out each piece took over the entire bed/work bench.  Not only was my partner freezing to death from me trying to keep the flowers cool he now had to sit on the floor and watch TV.

photo: Ben Schaefer

After the ceremony we hustled over to set the tables at the diner reception for close family and friends.  En route, however, as expected we got turned around and a bit lost in the city which lead to us running around the streets looking a fool with a box full of flowers on our heads.

 

In the end the tables were set and the evening was a blast.

photo: Ben Schaefer

That was a wonderful and beautiful evening.  most exciting was that I got to sit with the Mother of the Bride and learn so much about the family.  This was truly a treat seeing as how I already knew so much about the groom and all his many brothers and amazing Mother (a.k.a. Mama Wells).

After the first round of events was done we had the following day off and headed to Salem MA to celebrate HALLOWEEN.  That was well worth the trip and filled the holiday with so much entertainment.  Obviously the witch trials are enough to make this a Holiday Destination but all the ‘crazy’ that pours into that city for the night is EPIC.

Gladly we survived the trip to Salem and returned to the city for a reunion with some old Circus Friends and new ones alike.  Then before you noticed it was time for ROUND 2 of celebrations!  This event was obviously much more grand in scale but we welcomed the help of both the Mother of the Bride and the Groom.  We had such a great time working together!

photo: Martha Wells

After managing to master a game of Tetris and get all the pieces into the back of a tiny Town and Country Minivan we rolled out to one of the most unique and beautiful venues in Boston.  It was a Community Rowing Club and again right on the river. Luckily we were able to save enough room for Darin to actually sit in the passenger seat and he wasn’t forced to navigate my madness from the roof rack.

 

As we got the venue all set together we couldn’t have been happier with how everything turned out.  You never know exactly how things are going to fall into place since there are so many moving parts to a wedding, especially when you are only a fraction of all the chaos.  Not to mention that you are are completely removed from your studio and working in the back corner of a Hotel in a city you know nothing about.  I must say that the experience all together was a great adventure and I couldn’t have been more pleased.  I felt so fortunate to be able to contribute and share in the celebration of a best friend’s commitment to an amazing and inspiring woman.

 

photo:Martha Wells

 

Photo: Martha Wells

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everything Yellow and WILD…

Something about a Fall wedding might always be my favorite. I not sure if it is the colors or the soft chill in the air but Fall tends to be the most romantic time of year for me.  It might also be the fact that the typical color palate is more masculine in nature and not always so whimsical feeling.  There also tends to be more of an edge to the “look” which is always a bit more my style.

This past fall we had a great time building a yellow and silver wedding inspired by simple lemons and everything unique to the “countryside” style. Not one of the trending “country-chic” kinda weddings but more so the honest  look of farm to table.  It was literally just that…

This is my poor little hatchback VW better known as Helga.  She was working hard as I plowed her thru the fields and harvested all the unique foliages our farm has to offer.  Everything is wild grown and sustainably harvested despite my trudging along in the most inappropriate of vehicles.  Poor Helga almost bottomed out a time or two but she held strong.

The best thing about this wedding was the trust given to us by the bride and groom.  Such a genuine and righteous couple.  Not too mention dear friends of the studio since before it even became a real thing.  So we went all out and had a blast doing it.

The bridal alone required a 3 month intensive training program just to carry the damn thing.  It must have weighed 20 lbs but was well worth the ‘weight’.  It wasn’t until it got passed off to the maid of honor that I truly realized the burden of such beauty.  She was plenty strong enough but she also had to deal with her own maid’s bouquet which honestly was the size of a “normal” bridal. I was worried she was gonna topple over in the middle of the ceremony.  Which, conveniently,  I was also officiating at the time so I would have been there to break her fall.

I must admit I was a bit nervous about being the officiant.  I have only filled this role a couple times before but never have I pulled double duty as the florist and the officiant.  If you really think it thru it makes perfect sense seeing as how I am already there anyways.

After the Ceremony we enjoyed a well deserved cocktail hour and had a chance to take in the surroundings.  The venue was Old House Vineyard in Culpepper, VA.  Certainly one of the more perfect settings for a wedding.

I always enjoy designing and working with friends because then you actually have the chance to be a guest and enjoy all the work you put into it.  The only catch is showing up ready to work and then running yourself into a full sweat trying to make everything just right.  Then comes the ever skillful pursuit of trying to get yourself all pretty again in some random corner of the smallest room imaginable.  Not to mention the genuine anxiety that the father of the bride is gonna walk in on you half naked.  That could always be awkward…

The reception was so elegant and simple in all the right ways.  There is always something fresh and clean about a room full of perfectly crisp white linens.  Especially with the bold touch of yellow flowers and cylinders full of lemons.

Looking back on all the excitement and beautiful images it is hard to believe that this is the Studios first wedding.  What a great way to start a new opportunity and what a great couple to help support the vision of the studio and allow the designs to take shape in their own way.

I am, as always, indebted to my forever loving partner and his endless love and tolerance for all my madness.  Not to mention the great company of our bestest friend Hilary who always tends to turn up on production day.  I am convinced she is a blessing of many sorts.   This was a whole lot of wedding to pull out of a tiny tiny little cottage studio.  But we did it and we did it well.

Fancy Frogs

It is a rising and curious trend to start collecting flower frogs.  These come in many different forms and shapes but it’s most important to recognize that the majority are a product of the Depression-Era.  Nearly 85 years later these iconic symbols of industrial design can pop up anywhere from garage sales to antique flea markets.  Often overlooked and assumed to be a pencil holder these pieces can be sold for as little as fifty cents to the unknowing.  However, as trends continue in their favor these pieces can be more accurately priced upwards of $20 each simply for nostalgia sake.  So if you happen upon a good find take advantage of it.

The collection below was recently gifted to the studio from a dear friend whom has been a part of so many wonderful moments.  We have managed to keep in touch for many years and only seem to have the chance to meet up in random cities along the way.  The best part of it all is she is also the marvelous mother of a dear circus friend and groom to be this Fall during Halloween week.  I am so excited to be a part of this wedding.  When a ballet dancer falls for a flying trapeze artist you are left with exceptional taste and an exciting concept of movement in design.  It is going to be a lovely week of celebration and a whirlwind trip to Boston!

As you can see these are mostly glass with a couple ceramics mixed in.  All of the different shapes and sizes are interesting enough but some are designed to rest at the bottom of the vase while others sit upon the rim of the container.  These styles are preferred when working with thick stems such as tulips, agapanthus, zinnia, etc…

Other types of Flower Frogs not pictured above are made of bronze or iron square cages while some are simply a heavy lead disc covered with many fine pointed tines.

This type of frog is more often recommended for use with woody stems and branches. Often seen as a mechanic used in Ikebana design when using low shallow containers. Despite their heavy nature many designers use an adhesive to secure the frog to the bottom of the container.  A bit of advice when using this style is to cover the frog tightly with panty hose so the tines pierce thru the hosiery.  This will allow for easy cleaning by removing the hosiery when finished.  These tines will take a bite out of anything and it is very difficult to clean thoroughly at the bottom.

Along with many other vintage and antique utilitarian pieces the flower frog has made a strong appearance on Etsy.com and at many craft fairs such as Crafty Bastard, etc.  At these venues they can be found and repurposed as anything from pen holders to picture mounts.  In addition to these common uses many DIY crafters are finding them useful as place card holders for event seating, earring mounts on vanities, or simply a trending way to display a business card.

Happy hunting if you are out prowling the antique markets.  Look closely they are often in a box under a table that is littered with oddities like ceramic sculptures of Porky the Pig and Taxidermy Squirrels.

And so it begins…

After a perfectly timed and well deserved move out of the city REIKIS STUDIOS has settled into the historic and heavenly Oak Hill Farm. Every turn you make hiking along this property is another postcard worthy view of the VA countryside. It truly could not be much better than this…

After taking a couple weeks to get settled we decided to instantly start designing the gardens as Summer was right around the corner. We are looking ahead to a great season of growing for next year and are still working to lay beds around the property. We have broken up a few acres worth of land to sustain not only a healthy amount of fruits and vegetables but MORE IMPORTANTLY a complete CUT FLOWER GARDEN with all our favorites.

We were able to follow thru on a great amount of research and decided to set a strong foundation for an already rich and dense clay soil. We obviously took every natural element into consideration and have been very diligent in taking the time to be sure all of the necessary elements compost correctly into the soil. This bed pictured above will be part of the cut flower garden next season. Simply can’t wait to walk right out of the design studio and cut fresh for all the designs.

Following all the gardening excitement and work it was inevitable that the following season was going to be stunning. Having already rooted some seeds we have also started a complete calendar for seedlings in the green house. Not to mention the cantaloupe, hyacinth bean, Lupine, and other miscellaneous things we couldn’t resist getting started this year.

Then one day in the middle of all these exhausting gardening chores a package as big as truck showed up on our front step. It was without a doubt the greatest and most anticipated event of the move. THE TRAPEZE RIG HAD ARRIVED!!!! After suffering years of the crowded city life we finally had enough space and means to invest in our very own free standing up right trapeze rig. Built by Trevor Boswell, one of the best in the industry. http://trapezerigging.com/

It was only a matter of minutes before the two of us were able to get this beautiful rig up a ready to play. I can’t even begin to describe to you how liberating it is to have your very own rig in your own yard. Especially when that rig is right outside your new Floral Design Studio which is attached to your new historic cottage HOME…

And so it all begins… With all these ingredients on hand it is time to conjure up some of these creative concepts that have been looming around too long. Taking everything I know and love about CIRCUS while blending it with all the added beauty of FLORAL DESIGN…what isn’t there to LOVE about LIFE…

UNTIL NEXT TIME…