floral education
Recap of the 2019 NCCPF Hands-on School
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


Interested in a Beginners Design Class? Fill out the Survey below.
$69.95 Member Price — $94.95 Non-Member Price
2019 GTFA Designer of the Year Results



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.
2019 Fresh Affairs Workshop a Total Success
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
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.
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.

AIFD Guide to Floral Design Book Sale
AIFD is offering “The AIFD Guide to Floral Design: Terms, Techniques & Traditions, 2nd Edition.” This “GUIDE” is a must-have reference source for the professional floral designer.
- Features over 400 illustrations of design concepts and botanical terms
- A glossary of terms and guides relevant to designing for special events, including funerals and memorials, weddings, etc.
- Flower and foliage identification charts that classify a variety of cut flowers and foliages based on color, form, fragrance, line, texture, size, and silhouette.
- Chart of linen sizes and calculations for fitting round, square, serpentine, or rectangular size tables.
- Charts outlining the suggested wiring techniques and wire gauges recommended for use with various flowers.
Don’t expect a lot of pretty pictures, do expect the most complete collection of floral design information available in one book. This book is a must for every serious floral designer and retail florist.
AIFD Guide to Floral Designs
ONLY 7 LEFTIncludes Shipping
-
Non-Member Price $94.95
(Includes shipping)
Must be Logged in to see the Member's Price
Sells for $109.95 on Amazon.com and does not include shipping
One of our fabulous lifetime members, Pat Murray began this deal for us with a bulk purchase of 10 copies and we sold those out within a month. We liked this idea so much that we decided to do it again and handle it through our Education Committee. We have received our 1st shipment of books and they went fast. We have just ordered (Sept. 2018) a new shipment and there now ready to distribute to members and non-members. All proceeds will go into our Education fund that provides scholarships to deserving members for our hands-on classes and online courses.
Two Lucky Winners
WINNERS OF TELEFLORA'S NC UNIT SCHOLARSHIPS
Congratulations to two lucky winners of scholarships to attend the Teleflora Scholarship Academy. Each year Teleflora provides funds to the NC Unit to offer a scholarship to attend the Scholarship Academy. Through auctions at each Unit program, the Unit raises money to provide additional scholarships. Applications are available at each program and remain in effect for two years.
The lucky winners for 2018 are Samantha Brady and Charita Walker. Congratulations to each of these deserving ladies!! Both are eligible to attend any of the classes available which are outlined below.
Information regarding upcoming NC Unit programs will be announced soon. Attend the programs, get great education and fill out an application. You never know if you could be a scholarship winner!
Bill McPhail, NC Unit President











Miniature Workshop Fun and Informative
Held on Sunday, January 21st, 2018 from 1-4 in the afternoon at the Airport Embassy Suites in Greensboro, the Miniature Workshop was both fun and informative for attendees. Tammy Yow-Russell CFD NCCPF, the Queen of miniature competition, put together the workshop to enlighten attendees about miniature design and what fun they are to create. Twelve bold souls ranging in design experience from 1 month to more than 35 years, we won’t name names…, arrived promptly at the Embassy Suites Hotel. Tammy was well prepared with handouts and brought in some of her miniature designs, both those that won awards and those that were “disasters” in her words. She also provided lots of items to use in the creations. Registrants were asked to create a spaceship or something futuristic to go along with the theme of the 2018 convention. After some time to create the designs, each person presented theirs and said a few words about it. The atmosphere was very relaxed, and somewhat like a reunion for many who were there. The Education Committee provided snacks and small sodas and NCSFA was very gracious to sponsor the room. In Tammy’s words, “It is always so fulfilling to share the things you are passionate about with those who encompass the same curiosities and desire to learn! To explore and experiment in the realms of various designs is very rewarding to all!”
Author: Bill McPhail, Education Committee
Here’s some great pics grabbed from a cellphone…















