My flower business has taken a new turn ...
Well it’s been an interesting few years since I closed by beloved Cracked Pot Flower Shop of 20 years, to enter the wild and wonderful (if a little daunting) world of freelance floristry. A fascinating journey of self-discovery. Firstly, realising what a procrastinator I am (although I prefer to say “dreamer”), I expect I always have been but it’s far less obvious in a busy shop with staff and customers to hide behind. Secondly, what a luxury it was to have staff!
Another shocking discovery was how lonely work life can become when it’s just you at home. Deciding, advertising, designing, writing, ordering, buying, selling, making, delivering…. repeat!
No longer the catching up on colleagues personal lives, discussing the latest Netflix, lengthy conversations with customers, friends popping in to say hi. Not to mention, being surrounded by work all day and all evening. But I really can’t complain, being surrounded by beautiful things all the time isn’t so bad and a small price to pay for the freedom of working without the overheads!
But over the last year, and what a completely crazy year 2020 has been, although let’s face it, 2021 isn’t shaping up to be that great either, I’ve really missed the public.
With constant lockdown, shop closures and no meeting up with friends and family, the isolation has really taken its toll.
So I decided to stop procrastinating and get back out there.
I’ve started a pop up Flower stall, in collaboration with a local Pub, The Red Lion in Ealing, who’ve pivoted their usual business of pizzas and pulling pints, for a community store, selling fresh fruit and veg and an array of Italian staples and delicacies. Not so helpful for the waistline!
I have a lovely pitch at the front of the pub which is on a main road into Ealing Broadway. I’m going to be there every Saturday from 10am to 3pm until pubs are allowed to open up again. Then I’ll find a new spot!
My new venture of course, comes with added safety measures of mask wearing, sanitising and social distancing but it’s getting out in the fresh air and doing what I love best, selling flowers and seeing my customers faces.
My stall has an array of bunched fresh flowers, mixed posies, jam jar flowers and potted bulbs. Plenty of gorgeousness to treat yourself or gift to friends and family. Maybe say a big “thank you” to the one doing all the home schooling.
Every week will bring new additions and I’m always open to requests if there’s something you’ve been really missing.
I can offer care tips and suggestions on displaying your flowers or just a chat about flowers in general.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Creatively yours,