A few weeks ago I was asked by a friend if I would create and lead a fresh flower crown workshop. This was quite exciting as whilst I have developed and led many millinery workshops creating one where fresh flowers are the medium is a completely new experience for me.
The upcoming workshop event was to be structured so that each participant would create their flower crowns whilst participating in a short, fun and engaging workshop, and I was fortunate to receive lots of advice from the same friend, Anne MacDonald, who has led regular flower crown workshops in the North East. My first instinct of course, was to learn by creating my own flower crown honing the techniques when using real fresh flowers.
Making a flower crown utilises similar skills to those used when wreath making, and I decided to make my very first fresh flower crown using our own garden and hedgerow-type flowers. Grading and positioning materials and trims are techniques used every day in millinery, fresh flowers meanwhile have their own fragile beauty, effortlessly complimenting each other.
For my first trial of a fresh flower crown I choose a cream, pink and peach colour palette – this wasn’t hard to achieve as there is a distinct dearth of “brights” in our garden, highlighting that we tend to concentrate on plants and flowers that sit well with our Northumbrian stone farmhouse!
Having made my first fresh flower crown, my next thought was to work through the process of running a fresh flower crown workshop for a group, so I approached my friends at the local branch of the NAS to see if they might be interested in helping.
The North Northumberland branch of the National Autism Society provides a beacon of light in what can be a bleak landscape to navigate – the world of neurodiversity. Supporting the parents and carers of children, young people and adults whose lives are touched by autism, throughout North Northumberland, it hosts a wide variety of activities, workshops and support groups, all free at the point of delivery. One of the activities the branch is currently engaged in is running the first autism-friendly Duke of Edinburgh award scheme in the country.
So after a quick trip to IKEA to stock up on some basic flower crown workshop hardware, I was set up to lead my first fresh flower crown workshop. True to form the group responded positively and were keen to help, once the basic equipment was ready, after plundering the garden again and checking out commercially available flowers – we were ready for our very first trial workshop.
The afternoon workshop provided a good opportunity for a group from the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme based at North Northumberland branch of the National Autism Society, to create their own floral crown headpieces, working together in a socially collaborative environoment.
Everyone responded with great enthusiasm to the initial advice on the method and style of attachment and quickly started creating their own delightful and individually styled floral crowns. It was helpful for me to experience how best to introduce the techniques as well as at which points the participants tend to need extra help and reassurance. At the end of the workshop when all the participants had completed their flower crowns, they posed together in their own fashion show line-up clearly delighted at the beautiful fresh flower crowns they had created.
As you can see from the image, Rocky the Jack Russell came along for the fun too, he loves having company, and can’t bear to miss any of the fun, as you can see was also a very willing model!
So after another quick trip to IKEA to top up on hardware, the day of the workshop dawned. Simon was keen to help too, and got up early to help me cut the garden flowers and greenery required. I started the day, true to form of course, with an invigorating cup of tea before I began work, grouping the flowers into convenient individual mixed bunches for the workshop participants. I’m also pleased to report that there were not too many flower miles involved in supplying the fresh flowers needed for this workshop!
Arriving in Newcastle later on in the day, laden with flowers and equipment I was greeted warmly by the hosts – the organiser Jenny, and bride Rachel, along with their very charming group of friends. Revived by yet another cup of tea I got to work setting up the workshop.
As you can see I centred the table settings and layout around a model head displaying a fabric flower crown utilising similar flower-crown techniques. It’s surrounded by both garden and an albeit small selection of commercially produced fresh flowers. Each place setting featured their own flower crown equipment together with an individual bouquet vase of smaller flower sprigs and greenery.
Once the initial introductions had been made the demonstration started with guidance on attaching the ribbon ties and then how to attach the first pieces of greenery, followed by grouping the smaller sprigs. Excited by the selection of flowers at each of their place settings, the party enthusiastically got to work on their crowns. An air of concentration descended on the room, interspersed, of course, with the exchange of reminiscences, both essential aspects of a hen party workshop!
The crowns quickly took shape and it was fascinating to see the different interpretations each individual put upon the same selection of flowers. As the crowns progressed I was able to help by checking at regular intervals to ensure the visual balance of the design, and that the focal flowers were well-positioned and secure.
The other interesting aspect that was quickly apparent was that the group much preferred the garden and hedgerow-type flowers to commercially grown blooms. This was great to hear, though given the nature of the English climate, the use of mainly garden-grown flowers in fresh flower crowns is unfortunately, of course, only achievable at certain times of the year.
The group worked carefully placing their final blooms precisely, as you can clearly see from the wonderful crowns created by Rachel and one of her bridesmaids, both are noticeably laden with garden flowers – our garden’s David Austin English roses certainly look good this year!
The feedback from the workshop was very positive including comments highlighting the amazing selection of flowers, the helpful advice and support provided throughout the class, and that the workshop was ‘super fun and informative”
In this joyful group image the beautiful variety of the crowns produced speaks volumes. Each design is truly personal and remarkable in its individuality, highlighting the creative use that has been made of the Northumberland-grown flowers, particularly.
It was a privilege to be allowed to briefly access to Rachel’s hen party weekend, I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon, too. It was also lovely to have such a positive and friendly welcome followed by such an enthusiastic response! Finally, all that remains is for me to wish Rachel – not forgetting Chris of course – Jenny & friends a wonderful day in October!
Many thanks too, to my dear friend and fellow milliner Anne MacDonald, who created this opportunity for me, now I can’t wait for another collaboration with her!