art of flowers...a blog by The Bonny Doon Garden Company

Bouquets to Art-Set up

Today I set up my exhibit at the deYoung Museum San Francisco for the Annual Bouquets to Art.  Wow! All I can say is this was a blast- for some reason I was not stressed AT ALL.  It went very smooth- thanks to my sweetie for hauling things up to the 3rd floor for me! In the end- I felt good about my piece.  Smartest thing I did was to not pay attention to what the other designers were working on, but just focus on mine.  After I finished I walked around and checked it out and oh my goodness gracious alive! I began to have convulsions.  I have NEVER seen such incredible works of floral art in my life.  It was absolutely breath-taking!  I cannot wait to get back up there Wednesday to re-fresh my piece.  I'm going to take a long walk through all the exhibits and really devour every piece! I feel so fortunate to be a part of this! These designers are truly blessed at what they do. 

I did the best I could with what was given to me (in other words I had to really work on being inspired!)  I do love oak trees, but this was a little challenging!

Well here's some shots of me setting up my piece...enjoy!

Spring

I never really related to the meaning of 'Spring is in the Air'....until this morning.  While enjoying a cherished morning walk in the garden before work with my camera and coffee -I could literally smell spring (yes, even over my strong cup of Turkish-style coffee!).  What does it smell like? Well here goes my try at waxing poetic-
Sweet, like earth soaked in sugar, new leaves pungent with chlorophyll, earthy,  sun-dried wood, musky wild plum blossoms, daffodil sweetness carried on a soft breeze of coolness, with warmth inside it, whispering hints of  summer-
OK, well how was that? Can you relate? :)

Then I snapped back into reality when I realized the weeds have overcome my garden again, but they're plants too, right? NOT in my garden...we'll have none of that business...they have plenty of other areas where they can congregate.  So I wonder how long it will take to get things back in order. Oh well! So the image at above is my Waterlilly Magnolia.  It's only about 5' right now, and 4 years old, but I can only imagine how spectacular the entire property will smell when it's really mature.  I love this tree.

And here's the new Snow Parrots (Astilbe too) forcing their way up through my wonderful Bonny Doon Vineyard grape pumice.  Grape pumice consists of the stems, skins and seeds left over from pressing the grapes, and it's very high in phosphorus. I have been mixing the pumice now with our animal manure and composting. I think the combined grape pumice and manure is advantageous because it adds vital minerals and nutrients to the soil -as well as added nitrogen.  I'm hoping this will work as a slow release fertilizer.
More on this later...

In the mean time- we're busy moving our studio from downtown Santa Cruz back up to Bonny Doon.  In some ways it's going back to the good 'ol days when I walked into the garden, cut a few things, and then threw together spectacular floral designs.  It's going back to forward thinking- inspiration, and it's settling a longing for me.  Like I always say, it begins in the garden .  I've built my business on that idea, and I look forward to spending more time in the garden as well as our little Kiosk on Pacific Ave.  It will be dressed in its 'garden' attire a little more now!

 

New York Times

Today, I'm in the New York Times.  I feel so honored to be included in this particular story.  Day in and day out, I go out of my way (WAY out of my way sometimes) to make a difference for someone, for all of us-by offering quality sustainable & organic cut flowers, personalized design consultations, a unique selection, friendly service, and even a song now & then! Although this isn't a new concept to me; I've always grown my cut flowers and greens organically, and searched for, and buy from people who do the same.  Believe me, as a buyer of organic or sustainably grown cut flowers, my availability of product has multiplied greatly in the last few years.  It's a wonderful feeling.  I love the fact it's finally catching on.
Check it out!
New York Times-To pull a thorn from the side of the planet
It would have been great if my web address had gotten in there-because we do ship some organic product out! But hey...I really am NOT complaining!

Designer's Choice

When someone orders a Designer's Choice at our shop, it means just like it sounds...it's the choice of the designer of what flowers to use, what greens, a color scheme, a texture, etc.  However, since I especially hound over the 'girls' as to what they're work should look like, producing the 'right' designer choice can be challenging at times.  I trust my girls to do something tasteful, but with reference to the principles set forth in our shop.  There are certain no-nos that we really try to abide by.  Everyone knows these by heart, and just to keep everyone on their toes, I introduce new qualities e& practices very once in a while.  We need to stay on top of what our work portrays, as it's imperative to operate our shop with a pioneering spirit. 

Here's a recent example of a designer's choice.  We'll use this image to update our website.  This particular designer as used mainly spring blossoms, which definitely works for this season, but come spring and into summer, we'll need to update with a newer seasonal version. 

This is beautiful, isn't it? It is a good example of what our principles are..somewhat pave'd in style, and the use of colors are harmonious, and not too broad of a palette. 

I think it's a good example of what an everyday arrangement from our shop would look like.  I'm happy.  And that says a lot sometimes!

This is why I don't eat Lamb

Two new little beings were born on the 'farm' today.  Kristin's Ewe, 'Fidget' has given birth to 'Poppy' and 'Oregano'.  Poppy, the little girl was born a little on the weak side so we had to force her to nurse the first night.  She's SO tiny and precious, they both are.  And what a welcome addition!  We're all so giddy and excited!  They're a week old now, but still so little and cute as a button.  How can people actually eat lamb? My husband was pretty much raised on it- he grew up in Istanbul, and when they actually had money to buy meat--lamb was the hot ticket.  OK well- the bad news it that these are 'market' sheep which means little Mr. Oregano may have to go some day...to market.  But while he's here and not a big smelly mean ram yet, we'll certainly make his life wonderful.  They're not my sheep so let's blame Kristin!! :)

This is little Poppy--i'm thinking our little sheeps milk feta maker!!!! YUM!

And this is little Oregano!  He's a cutie too, and he's was a pretty good size boy already!

Bouquets to Art!

Wow! It has really been a while since you've heard from me.  I've been super busy, sick with several colds, sinus stuff, tummy, etc. 

But I'm still here!  The holidays went well--I'm happy to say we finished off the year with a bang!  I went on break up so the snow in Tahoe to ski/snowboard with my family between Christmas and New Year.  It was a very short trip, but we really enjoyed it.

Just before Christmas though I had an interesting and surprising visitor!  Can you believe Mr. Anthony Ward wanted to meet with me to try and coordinate a collaboration while he was in town working on his book Being with Flowers.  How exciting is that? What? You don't know who he is? Well just check out his link above, and you'll find out.  I read about him several years ago on how he was knocking the socks off Santa Cruz with his unique and highly sylize- it reminds me of 'bohemian' floral design.  It's really cool stuff. So we met and met again, and tried to collaborate but just couldn't make it happen while the short time he was in town, I was knee-deep in stuff, and he ended up leaving up to Seattle early, then off to India.  I'm thankful to have made his acquantance, and I really feel fortunate he contacted me and gave me his 'thumbs' up so to speak.  He thinks I need to hand my hat on a higher rack--in other words, where are those really cool-big blow out events? Need a floral designer?  Well here goes- with the help of Anthony making a call to a 'contact' at San Francisco's Fine Arts Museums- I'm not sure what he said about me, but it had to be good.  I sent in my portfolio and resume for exhibitor approval at the Bouquets to Art 2008

And guess what I got approved! I went up today for the selection process. Boy that was hard.  I felt inspired by numerous pieces.  What an incredible museum- I love it! All that wonderful art surrounding me it gets me all giddey- all that beauty, history, mystery, and MONEY! Wow!  Who know's what piece I'll get- I'm at the bottom of the totem pole, but hey, I'll be there! I am not in the exhibitors list because of my late entry, but that's quite alright.  More to follow on this...

Amber's Wedding

I cannot believe it, but my 'little' neice is getting married this Saturday!  Yikes!  Even though she's in WV, I was the 'preferred' floral designer for her wedding! Surprise! So here's her beautiful bouquet.  It was really hard not to just put every gorgeous,  fragrant, lucious bloom into her bouquet. So here is the refined version of what I sent her.  She's got a piece of my garden to walk with her down the isle!  Congrats Amer, and I love you!

It's over

The last of the dahlias popped up & open yesterday and over the weekend--like lighted orbs they seemed to be saying 'wait! don't forget about us!' Right before a long winter sets in for us we are having an unbelieveable HOT indian summer.  It's a little TOO warm for my liking--normaly I love indian summer because it's like mother nature letting us out for one more recess before the big test. I'm not looking at it that way this year though, at least I'm trying not to.  I intend to be in the garden all winter this year--since I am blessed to live in a zone where we don't really get to much of a hard freeze.  Just enough to let the peonies, lilacs and forsythia wallow in the ice to store up some bloom--just barely.

In our warm snap, I have planted lots of cool weather veggie seeds with my youngest daughter like baby mescluns, radish, lettuces, bok choy, and chinese cabbage.  YUM.  I am hoping our weather cools so these babes get happy.  I have lately been inspired by a book I'm reading by Barbara Kingsolver- Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.  I am almost finished with the book, and I feel like this book has had such a profound enfluence on me, and the way I live my life.  I have truly enjoyed it and I feel compelled to read the entire book aloud to my family.  Check it out--very inspiring.   

Autumn rings in...

I'm so bad at posting my thoughts and daily happenings in a timely manner.  I really will work on this!

First, here is an image of a design named 'Tapestry'.  This was put together rather quickly--sometimes those are the best! The materials are mostly from my own garden--the exceptions being the pomegranates, and the black baccara roses.  I named it Tapestry because...that's what it looks like to me--an old priceless piece of tapestry taken from a castle wall somewhere in the deep woods of Ireland...or Scotland (miss Snapdragon Jayne that was for you!) Anyway, back to California--So of course this piece was put together for a purpose, and it came about with a phone call from the editor of Santa Cruz Magazine who knew I really know how to whip out a spectacular floral design :)  Anyway it will be featured in their 'faves' section of the Holiday issue due out in November.  I'll post a link when it's there! AND if your interested in ordering this hot little babe check out Tapestry on our web site. 

Second, can you even believe this...the Amy Stewart book-signing came and went --fabulously I should add, and MY CAMERA BATTERY WAS DEAD AND I COULD NOT FIND MY CHARGER.  uugggghhh!!! I'm so mad.  We had so much fun though--all went so well but I was a little dis-heartened at the turn-out, about 75 people.  I don't know I guess I was expecting an onslaught since I sent out so many e-blasts, and post cards, but I'm being told that if I got 2% in attendance then that's pretty good--so I'm happy.  Thank you Amy for being there, and to all our flower girls--I love you guys so much.

And last, currently I'm preparing for a workshop this weekend--it's for Fall Centerpieces.  Check out Fall Centerpieces for more info on this--and all you locals, I hope to see you there!  It's going to be luscious!

A Day in the Garden with Amy Stewart

I am so thrilled about this very special event!  We will be hosting a book-signing and talk with Amy Stewart!

This event will be a floral extravaganza and something you won't want to miss!  see our web site event calendar for more details. 

Since we opened our new Squid Row Studio, we have been wanting to really be able to host events so that we can really connect and spend time with our customers, & friends.  This event with Amy will enable us to do just that, and hopefully meet some of you face-to-face!  We will enjoy Amy's talk -of course, but also we can hear other special guest speakers too..Otto Lund of the Monterey Bay Rose Society, and also Don Garibaldi, who will be there talking about the history of his company, Ano Nuevo Flower Growers, and the history of the super-sweet violets that he grows!

And as if that's not enough- we'll also enjoy live music, food, and a floral design demo conducted by myself!!

We truly hope to see you there!