floral education – The NC State Florists Association

Recap of the 2019 NCCPF Hands-on School

October 6, 2019October 6, 2019

The NCCPF Design School was held September 18-21 at Cleveland Plant and Flower Company in Raleigh, NC. At the beginning of 2019, the NCSFA Board of Directors approved scholarship money for both the Design School and online class program. Three lucky students won scholarships: Antoinette Graves, JJ Sweat-Pritchard and Jose Delgado Garcia. We had an additional 11 students register for the class.

Each day, the students learn techniques and procedures in floral design and then are required to recreate a design made by instructor Nelson Simpson, AIFD, CFD, PFCI, NCCPF. On the first day of class on Wednesday, all students decorated plants by creating an armature and enhancing with other items. In the afternoon, they learned how to create a formalinear design, and this was their first graded project. On the second day of class, the students learned about sympathy designs and were required to recreate an interpretative funeral spray in a crescent style. The last two days of the class were spent learning and creating body flowers, wedding bouquets and floral jewelry. The graded design was a cascading bridal bouquet made in a holder. The final day of class was more relaxed and students were allowed to utilize their creativity and design floral jewelry. Great creativity!! We had rings, earrings, bracelets, flower crowns, necklaces! Awesome job by all in attendance.

I would like to thank everyone on the Education Committee for their dedication all year in awarding the scholarships and assisting at the Design School. The committee members are: Susi Gordon, NCCPF Vice Chair; Stephanie Garrett, AIFD; Donna Pittman, AIFD; Jeff Freeman, Mary Matherly, NCCPF; John Herron; Janice Rhinehart; and Pat Murray, AIFD!

Thanks also to Cleveland Plant and Flower Company for hosting the Design School and to Triad Foliage for the beautiful plants.

Bill McPhail
Education Committee Chairman
Past NCSFA President

Misc. Class Pics

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2019 GTFA Designer of the Year Results

September 16, 2019June 29, 2019

The Greater Triangle Florist Association met at The Laurelbrook in Raleigh on June 25th. Attendees enjoyed a lovely meal, design program by 2018 GTFA DOY Joseph Barnes and our 2019 DOY competition. The competition was fierce and everyone did an amazing job. Our winner was Alicia Springfield NCCPF, 1st runner up Jacyln Gough CFD, and 2nd runner up Bill McPhail NCCPF. Attendees also benefited from a dicussion about judging from Jody McLeod AIFD, NCCPF, CFD.

The Laurelbrook and Catering Works were gracious hosts and the environment and food were excellent.

Here’s a few pics below that were grabbed at the workshop by cellphone.

And a Big Thanks to Laurelbrook at Catering Works in Raleigh for Hosting the Event

2019 Fresh Affairs Workshop a Total Success

September 16, 2019March 22, 2019

We had a great time at the Designer of the Year Workshop on Sunday, Mar. 10th! There were designers of all levels learning different techniques for competition. Each participant designed a surprise package, buffet and wedding piece. These were all then critiqued and the results were shared with everyone. Hoping we’ll fill up the room for DOY at the convention!

Education is so important in our industry. We are in an ever changing retail and wedding world, Being a part of this association and participating is part of how we learn and grow. It’s what keeps us “going!” I am constantly amazed by the exceptional creativity of designers in our state. Take advantage and learn. Your customers will thank you.

Thanks to all who participated and to Michael Whaley AIFD and Stephanie Garrett AIFD. A special thanks to Cleveland Plant and Flower Company, Curtis Flower Farm, and Hardins for donating flowers and product. Please be sure and give each one of them a personal thank you! We’re also grateful to Fresh Affairs for their great design room!

Thank you all!
Donna Pittman, AIFD CFD NCCPF

Here’s a few pics below that were grabbed at the workshop by cellphone.

Recap of the 2018 NCCPF Hands-on School

September 4, 2018September 3, 2018

Events like the NCCPF Design School don’t happen without teamwork! Thanks to all the Education Committee members who have been able to help! The NCCPF Design School took place August 22-25, 2018 at Lihmil, Inc. Flowers and Supplies in Kernersville, NC. Eleven students were ready to take on the challenging classes which began at 9:30 Wednesday. Nelson Simpson, AIFD, CFD, PFCI, NCCPF began the classes with positive words. He continued to praise students and push them to higher levels of design ability throughout the week.

The students began each day going over information from their textbooks referencing design styles and how to create them. Nelson would then meticulously demonstrate a design for them to recreate. Then it was up to the student to duplicate the design as closely as possible. They are graded on three designs in this manner: a formalinear arrangement, a funeral spray and a bridal bouquet. In between these graded designs, students created a wired and taped corsage, a parallel centerpiece, decorated a plant and created hairpieces using cold glue. Creating all of these items is to prepare students for what they may encounter in a retail environment. The knowledge is also useful for those who primarily work in events and weddings. Learning the correct mechanics for creating any design is of utmost importance, regardless of what sector of the diverse floral industry in which a person may work.

The final day of class was relaxed when students were able to “play” with different types of wire and accessories to create body flowers of their choice. After this, each student was called up to present their design and received their certificate of completion. Happily, all the students in the class passed the Design School. Now on to completing the online classes to receive their NCCPF certification!!

Many thanks to the Board of NCSFA for voting to allow scholarships to the schools classes, both the Design School and the online classes. Also thanks to the Education Committee for their help throughout the year and also during this week of Design School. None of this is possible without your dedication to NCSFA and to educating its members! Members of the Education Committee include: Susi Gordon NCCPF Vice Chair, Pat Murray AIFD NCCPF, John Herron, Stephanie Garrett AIFD CFD NCCPF, Jeff Freeman, Mary Matherly NCCPF and Donna Pittman AIFD CFD NCCPF.

Bill McPhail
Education Committee Chairman

Instructor: Nelson Simpson, Aifd Pfci Cfd NCCPF

Student Reviews

At the end of every class, we pass out an evaluation form that allows students to critique the class and instructor. Below are some excerpts from the students unedited and the names are kept private.

I love learning and this class was so informative! I am a hands-on learner and this class was perfect for me. Nelson was very thorough and great at reinforcing the techniques you need to know.

I enjoyed gaining a better understanding of floral techniques, tips, and skills. The instructor was very encouraging and I also liked the various floral professionals that came through the class. The ladies were more encouraging and helpful.

Very informative and educational. I really liked the teaching atmosphere and the sponsoring facility was very nice. Would be great to have mats to stand on. The cement floors were rough on the legs.

I really loved the hands-on experience and quality instruction, constructive criticism, and honest feedback. Nelson was knowledgeable and methodical in all facets of instruction.

I really liked how the class was structured around hands-on skills. A nice photo booth to take pictures of our designs would be fantastic. I would love to see the school offer an advanced class.

What I liked about my experience were all the tips and tricks that I learned. Would be nice to have some coffee furnished and Nelson was extremely thorough with his teaching.

The main thing that I liked was being challenged. The instruction was very thorough but I would have liked to have had more hands-on instruction on sympathy arrangements and especially casket sprays.

I loved meeting new people and the instructors and helpers. I'd like to see more basics of design that I could use every day in my business especially more tips and techniques.

I'd like to see the addition of a beginner's class. Instructor was extremely accomplished and having other industry professionals visit was a plus. The curriculum was challenging yet very competition-based.