How nice it is to discuss a new book about the joys of flower arranging when we anticipate warmer days. As the soil gets its much-needed rest during this time of year, we look forward to the upcoming spring and summer seasons with their abundance of floral blooms.
Enough of that flowery language, let’s get on with it.
Author Amy McCord did not start out to be a flower-arranger. In fact, she tried a few different career paths before discovering what she’s good at, and what she loves. First, she pursued a forensics degree in college, then tried out helicopter pilot training, then went into the corporate world. She writes feeling “boxed in, uninspired.” After watching the movie, The Wedding Planner, and in that “what do I want to be when I grow up” mode, she saw herself, like JLo (star, Jennifer Lopez) wearing a headset, running weddings, and styling events. McCord immediately abandoned science for creative magic.
Her first assignment was to volunteer to do the flowers for a friend’s wedding. “How hard could it be,” she thought. Despite the chaos of the event, two hundred red roses from a local big box warehouse, and complete lack of expertise, McCord felt the spark she was looking for. “I loved this mess” she writes and kept learning and got better. The name of her business, founded in 2014, Flower Moxie, is a tribute to the determination with which she set out to teach others to love flowers and to create, and embrace the imperfect.
So, for those of us who want to try their hand at arranging flowers either for your own enjoyment, or for special occasions, McCord has authored Blooms Every Day: A Modern Guide to Flower Arranging.There are over two hundred pages of scrumptious photos — perfect to leaf through on a winter’s day – step-by-step tutorials, gentle instructions, and lots of encouragement and a sense of humor.
Let’s mention a few of her tips for the beginners in the room.
Vases and Vessels – Smaller is better, she says. The flowers should always be the star of the show. Choose vases with intention and use an opaque vase when available because there’s less concern about cloudy water or messy stems peeking out.
Using Color – Choose a focal color first, let it take center stage. All the other additions should complement, not compete. Think of it as styling a showy dress with shoes that complete the look rather than compete for attention. Going monochromatic with using variations on the same color, is “clean, intentional and high-end.”
Must-Have Tools – She notes the following items as non-negotiables: floral snips or ultra-sharp scissors that make a clean cut, not a crushing one; pruning shears for tough stems; garden gloves (of course); and waterproof floral tape. She also includes a trash can, and a hydration bucket/vase because “after you prep your flowers, they need a place to hydrate and open up before you start designing.”
McCord has divided the book into three sections: an introduction; one on designs; and, the last called the flower library. This part features an extensive, but not exhaustive, list of flowers the author uses in the book, but also ones generally found at the local market. Readers will find details on the flower’s design category, the shape, the color range, pro tips, longevity, and hardiness. This can be a helpful tool in anyone’s first go-around in their own flower arranging project, or the experienced one who enjoys learning new tricks of the trade.
Takeaways for readers include the central idea that floral arrangement can be for everyone, and that a flawless result is not the aim; it’s all about being playful with your own experimentation, and personal expression.
Blooms Every Day – A Modern Guide to Floral Arranging
Amy McCord
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