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Wow! Running your own business is as rewarding as it is hard, especially when business is thriving. Brooks and I started with a vision for Pansy & Ivy and we have created a strong business plan going into the future. Taking the Posy Clique to Chesapeake, VA area has been a huge success so far and we hope that continues. I am your modern-day florist. My designs have style and character. We only use the freshest most unique flowers available, while providing the best customer service in the business. Floral art is what I will continue to create as it sets me apart from everyone else. Although I get inspiration from different outlets, I will never create something that is not directly a part of me. I am passionate about my work and “just let me make you something beautiful” is what I catch myself saying often.  The Posy Clique is our pride and joy. We love our subscribers and we always leave them with a smile on their face. These flower loving ladies, gentlemen, and businesses are our favorites. They get special vases and designs at random and they love the surprise of what next week may bring! Reoccurring deliveries gives us the chance to get to know each of our clients. It makes a difference when they see how hard we are working and how much this means to us. To me the best way to conduct business is to create relationships with your clients. Then all you must do is love it, work hard, and hopefully the business will grow.  Our two Pick-A-Posy stations in Elizabeth City, NC located, at Kathy’s Kreations Market and The Flour Girls Café, are doing great and we appreciate the support that the town has shown us! These Uprooted Posies are there for you to grab exclusive flowers on the go. Pop in if you need an arrangement for a last-minute occasion or to just brighten someone’s day without having to place an order. The designs that you find in the Pick-A-Posy stations are unique and stylish just like you would expect. We, and when I say we, I mean Brooks, supports both businesses daily! You should too.: ) But seriously, a lot goes into keeping these stations stocked, clean and functioning properly. If you see him, hug him and grab some flowers while you are at it!  When it comes to events and weddings, I will continue to use my vision to create one of a kind pieces. Each design by Pansy & Ivy will have our special touch. Give me a color scheme and let me go. Brides, if you must have those special flowers that you have always dreamed of (insert Juliet Rose…) we can make that happen. If you want specific flowers and colors arranged in specific ways, then I am not the one for you. I will not be the right floral designer for all brides and grooms, and I get that. It’s OK. We want brides and grooms that desire less stress during the wedding planning process and this way gives them that. I promise that your special day will be covered when it comes to the florals! My eye is constantly searching for the next best thing or creating them myself. With that being said… How cool are the Posy Cuffs?! 
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 1. WATER, WATER, WATER!! Amanda Curtis at Pansy & Ivy in Elizabeth City, NC says, “adding fresh cold water to the vase is the best way to help flower arrangements stay fresh and last longer. These flowers are still living and need constant hydration,” says Curtis. Depending on how the arrangement is created, it may also have some stems that do not extend all the way to the bottom of the vase, in that case it is essential to keep water level up. Also, some cut flowers drink more water than others. Make sure to monitor water level daily. 2. TAP WATER IS FINE, BUT FILTERED WATER CAN BE BETTER Tap water is perfectly fine for flower arrangements, most industry experts say. But, if you have filtered water available, use it! It cannot hurt! “We always use filtered water for all of our fresh cut flowers and arrangements,” says Emily Williams of Wholesale Flower Market in Chesapeake, VA. “It is common practice for most florist to use filtered water that is treated with nutrients to ensure a long life,” she adds. 3. USE THE PACKET OF FLOWER FOOD!! If your bouquet of flowers came with a small square packet, USE IT! These packets contain powdered flower food that can help nourish your flowers, ensuring a long life. The flower food packets contain sugar for nutrients, an acidifier to maintain the water’s pH level and help the stems with hydration, and bleach to reduce bacteria in the water. For the best results Williams suggests, “make sure to always add the right amount of flower food to the indicated amount of water by following the instructions on the back of the pack. It is important to not overtreat the water so it doesn’t burn the flowers up, but then if you add too little it is ineffective.”  4. TRANSPORTATION Transporting an arrangement can be a stressful task, but with a little prep work it shouldn’t be. It is essential to make sure that the arrangement is secure so it will not move, shift or fall over. “We use our old flower boxes, which are shallow and long,” says Curtis. “Tape the ends of the box up so it does not come apart, then take a utility knife and cut a star pattern in the top about the size of your vase. Shove vase down in your precut holes and you should have a secure transportation box.” Sometimes you must put your arrangement in the back of your vehicle, when this happens make sure to put your arrangement in a well-ventilated area that will not get hot on your trip. Fresh cut flowers are very susceptible to heat and if you add no air flow to the equation, the outcome can be disastrous. If your vehicle has rear AC make sure it is turned on to provide some relief for your flowers.  5. CUT (AND RECUT) THE ENDS OF THE STEMS If you are trying to get the maximum amount of life out of your cut flowers you will want to cut and recut the ends of your flower stems. Taking the flowers out of the arrangement is a daunting task but if you grab by the base of the arrangement you can probably make it happen in one fell swoop. Place arrangement back in vase after cutting and make sure everything is still in order. Ensure the best cut by using sharp scissors to cut the bottom-most inch off the stems at an angle rather than straight across. Williams explains, “this will give more surface area to the bottom of the stem, which will allow the flower maximum access to the water. Also, consider cutting the stems under water to avoid air pockets, which can interfere with their ability to hydrate properly.” 6. CLEAN YOUR VASES “Having clean equipment makes all the difference in the world,” says Williams. “Clean fresh water, vases, buckets, cutting tools, and storage areas are keys to keeping away bacteria that cause premature aging.” A simple washing using soap and water will suffice. If you want to be extra careful, you may use bleach water for cleaning of your vases and equipment.  7. LOCATION MATTERS Always choose a location for your arrangement that is cooler rather than hotter. Williams says, “the best practice is to keep your flower arrangement in a cool spot, out of direct sunlight, HVAC vents, and entry doors.” Any hot airflow will dry out and cause premature wilting of your arrangement. Refrigerators work! If you can put your arrangement in the refrigerator overnight or during the day while you are gone, DO IT! Experiments have been done that show by putting flowers in the refrigerator overnight it helped to keep them alive longer. Bottom line, if they can fit in refrigerator the cold temperature will help preserve them. 8. DON’T GET CRAZY There are many wives’ tales and such that will have you putting all sorts of things in with your arrangements, from pennies to vodka. But sticking with the basic steps outlined above will give your flowers the best chance at a long life. “And let’s face it, they are cut flowers and they will eventually die, some quicker than others. So, if you see one or two dead flowers in with your arrangement, carefully pull or cut them out and throw away. Keep the ones that are living so your arrangement lives on,” Curtis adds.
We are so excited about our Pick a Posy Station at The Flour Girls Cafe and Bakery!! You will be able to swing by and Pick a Posy from our cooler whenever they are open Tuesday-Saturday. Posies will be $28 plus tax and they will be arranged in mason jars to conveniently fit in your cup holder for easy transport home or to that special someone. Stop by The Flour Girls Cafe and Bakery for a delicious breakfast or lunch and take home a pansy & ivy posy! We love our Downtown Elizabeth City community and we expect big things for the coming year! Thanks to everyone for your kind words and support!   What an unbelievable weekend! First Friday ArtWalk in downtown Elizabeth City, NC was a huge success!!
Well, this has really taken off y'all...We had no idea everyone would be this supportive. From the men at the bank to the women playing bridge, we have covered some ground this week. Not to mention, our first Posy Clique members will start to receive their bouquets next week! Our business members will receive their posies at the first of the work week to enjoy all week long, while our residential customers receive theirs on Friday, just in time for the weekend! Sign up quick, don't be the last on the block to be a part of the Posy Clique! I have never been so proud of myself...I was nervous to take on this project so soon but it turned out to be the most rewarding experience ever! I hope that the audience appreciates this arrangement as much as I do...they are truly getting a piece of my heart and soul.  Check out this tutorial video for opening the birds of paradise flower! So cool! We are so excited to make an arrangement with them we don't know what to do! |
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March 2017
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