This year’s NCCPF Hands-On Design School . . . was held on September 27th – 30th. Our gracious host was Lihmil Wholesale Flowers in Kernersville, NC. With thirty plus years of experience, Nelson Simpson, AIFD PFCI NCCPF, the instructor for the course is a member of the NC State Florists Association since 1991, a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers, Professional Floral Communicators International, and a NC Certified Professional Florist.
The hands-on design school is a very detailed program where students learn principles and elements of design, design terminology, current design styles, sympathy design, and wedding design. During the course, our students learned proper technique and also learned to execute methods of design skills from beginning forms to other advanced applications. The subject matter of the day ended with the student creating their own design with instructional oversight. Along with a grade for their design, the student is given a daily exam. Upon completion of the 3-day course, the student is eligible to begin or finish the online courses portion of the certification. The final goal is to pass the Final Certification examination and proudly earn their NCCPF certification.
This year’s NCCPF Hands-On Design School . . . was held on September 27th – 30th. Our gracious host was Lihmil Wholesale Flowers in Kernersville, NC. With thirty plus years of experience, Nelson Simpson, AIFD PFCI NCCPF, the instructor for the course is a member of the NC State Florists Association since 1991, a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers, Professional Floral Communicators International, and a NC Certified Professional Florist.
The hands-on design school is a very detailed program where students learn principles and elements of design, design terminology, current design styles, sympathy design, and wedding design. During the course, our students learned proper technique and also learned to execute methods of design skills from beginning forms to other advanced applications. The subject matter of the day ended with the student creating their own design with instructional oversight. Along with a grade for their design, the student is given a daily exam. Upon completion of the 3-day course, the student is eligible to begin or finish the online courses portion of the certification. The final goal is to pass the Final Certification examination and proudly earn their NCCPF certification.

Pat Murray, a lifetime NCSFA member who originated the NCCPF School Program in 1986
Nelson Simpson, AIFD PFCI NCCPF
NCCPF 2017 Instructor
Nelson Simpson, AIFD PFCI NCCPF
NCCPF 2017 Instructor

Congratulations to all of this year’s students for exhibiting hard work and determination and in successfully completing and passing the hands-on portion of the NC Certified Profession Florist Design Program. This year’s roster included:
- Joan Caudle – Young’s Florist, Kernersville, NC
- Megan Purcell – Harris Teeter, Chapel Hill, NC
- Shauna Bailey – Asheville, NC
- Robert McGhee – Purple Poppy Florist, Wake Forest, NC
- Melanie Murdock – Raleigh, NC
- PangKou Xiong – PK Floral Design, Huntersville, NC
- Frances Watson – The Wedding Woman, Durham, NC
- Jane Utley – The Wedding Woman, Durham, NC
- Nicholas Anders – S. Alamance High School, Burlington, NC
Congratulations to all of this year’s students for exhibiting hard work and determination and in successfully completing and passing the hands-on portion of the NC Certified Profession Florist Design Program. This year’s roster included:
- Joan Caudle – Young’s Florist, Kernersville, NC
- Megan Purcell – Harris Teeter, Chapel Hill, NC
- Shauna Bailey – Asheville, NC
- Robert McGhee – Purple Poppy Florist, Wake Forest, NC
- Melanie Murdock – Raleigh, NC
- PangKou Xiong – PK Floral Design, Huntersville, NC
- Frances Watson – The Wedding Woman, Durham, NC
- Jane Utley – The Wedding Woman, Durham, NC
- Nicholas Anders – S. Alamance High School, Burlington, NC







































































