Maria is a creative florist at Lacy Bird.

"During my career in floristry, I have learned to be in harmony with flowers and with myself. Finding the perfect balance and seeing the beauty in little things"

We talked about the work of a creative florist, inspiration and development.

- Is floristry your only creative occupation?

- I'm an artist! This is due to my education and a general view of the world. I paint with pastels, restore antiques, and sculpt.

I have been in floristry for 13 years and I learned to understand flowers and saw the depth and beauty of each plant. At first I painted flowers, and now I create full compositions.

— Where did you first start working as a florist?

— It was a small flower shop in Moscow. I worked there for three years. Came as an assistant florist - just to earn some extra money. I fell in love and stayed. That shop was owned by young, pleasant people. We still keep in touch.

— When did you realize that you are a professional?

— I am very self-critical. The inner genius constantly repeats: this is not it. But maybe it is good! This allows you to constantly grow and become better than yesterday's self.

— Has floristry changed during the time that you have been in business?

— Very much so. The new era of information has changed the industry and given access to inspiration across the continents.

Previously I had to spend hours digging through book spans, studying a huge number of books in search of useful information.

— Have there been moments in your career when you were disappointed in the profession, wanted to leave?

— It seems to me that everyone in life has had moments when they wanted to quit. The creative profession implies emotional outbursts.
My place of power is nature. I truly recharge and draw my strength from being alone in nature. It helps me to look at things in a new way, get energy and continue creating.

— Do you still enjoy your job after 13 years?

— Yes, of course, I still love flowers very much

— How is a creative florist different from an ordinary one?

— Creative florists have more space for creativity, they can demonstrate their full potential. In fact, you have all the tools to create something new and unique. From complex floral installations and grandiose decorations, to artistic bouquets using non-trivial materials.

Sometimes the idea and the concept itself is so complex and deep that in order to create the right mood you have to create new objects, sometimes very "strange" in the understanding of someone who is not an artist.

— Is there some kind of system to your creativity?

— Every Monday, we have a brainstorming session. We gather in the creative department and share ideas, news, generate tasks and put them on paper.

— Can you start your career as a creative florist or do you need to work as a regular florist first?

— In my opinion, it's better to go up gradually: assistant - florist - creative florist.

— Is creativity acquired or is it a gift from birth?

— The main thing is to have an impulse and desire to develop this skill. If you don't try, you won't know if you can create something from scratch.

After all, the task of a creative florist is not just to create a bouquet, it is a whole new world, and your task is to demonstrate it.

An equally important skill is the element of observation.

Therefore, if you are a beginner and feel that your work lacks taste, you train yourself.

— What mistakes did you notice in the work of florists?

— It seems to me important to set a goal: be better than yourself! Your main competitor is yourself.

I can't call it a direct mistake, but there is something that distinguishes a good florist from a "street bouquet seller".

Understanding the bouquet's shape, its filling. Color scheme and assembly technique. Many florists still create "flower coffins" and consider this the apogee of flower craftsmanship.

— What is a good bouquet?

— There is no exact formula for a perfect bouquet!

Floristry is a delicate matter. It is difficult to describe.

Harmony. Relevance. Shape. Color.

You need people to fall in love with a bouquet, want to give it to their loved ones, share this love. We create something that helps to express our love, and this is not so easy (smiles).

- There are a lot of rules. Do you think they can be broken?

"Rules are there to be broken, when it's appropriate".

When you know the basics, it gives you the opportunity to express yourself and to rebel.

— Do you think all your bouquets are cool?

— I'm a 100% perfectionist. To be honest, I don't have bouquets that I'm absolutely sure are cool. I am such a critic that even in the most beautiful bouquet (according to everyone around me) I will be dissatisfied with something.

I have great advice for all "doubting" florists.

To look at the bouquet from a new angle, I look through the camera. In the photo, it is easier to see the shortcomings and to bring the bouquet to perfection.

- There is an opinion that creative people painfully perceive criticism. How do you feel about it?

— As I said, I am very self-critical, so at first my work withstands my own comments.

If the criticism comes from a master I respect and it is justified, then I will certainly listen. There are times when I don't agree. In this case, I calmly listen and remember - perhaps these remarks will be useful next time.

I also like to consult with colleagues in a moment of doubt. This is not exactly criticism, of course, but still an opinion from the outside.

—Where do you get inspiration for your work from?

— I try to watch a lot - watching is important. Of course, I follow trends. And not only in floristry.

I like to look at the interior design, what colors are used there - they can be shifted to a bouquet. It inspires me.

— Do you want to learn something new in floristry?

— I am in constant search. I experiment and look for new solutions to my own problems. New solutions allow you to discover tools.

I am constantly improving, trying something completely new to me.

—What advice would you give to aspiring florists?

— Learn — improve — be inspired — try new things.

— How to improve if you are already a professional florist?

— Understand within yourself that there is something to strive for. Exchange experience with those with whom you work every day, communicate with colleagues.

If you want to master a specific area or learn from the experience of a particular florist, you can always sign up for a course - it's very simple.

It also happens that experienced florists turn to the origins. Beauty can be found in the simplest things, especially when it comes to flowers. Complexity and heaps are not always needed.

— Beginners are sometimes afraid to study online. What do you think about this?

— Floristry can be mastered virtually. I essentially did the same, only not from the online classes, but from the pictures from the books. In the online course, in addition to explaining the technique, there is a video, expert feedback, and communication with other students.

The main thing is to practice new knowledge. As I said earlier, analyze, understand and try, try and try again.

— How can a novice florist choose a teacher for study?

— A good teacher should be able to present information in a structured way. A florist tutor must love to teach floristry.

— Do you also teach at the Lacy Bird Academy?

— I help students with creative design on the last day of the "Creative Florist" course.

There was a question a little earlier about developing creativity. This is exactly what students do at our Academy. So, yes, this skill can be developed.