My eco-consciousness arises from growing up in the country. A sense of “borrowing” from the earth and returning what we used to it was just the way we lived. I was given my first garden at age seven when my grandmother died. Fresh ferns became naïve designs when I put them in a jelly glass or ceramic pitcher on the dinner table. Digging in the dirt, planting and tending gardens, has been a constant activity since then.
As a naturalist, sculptor and painter, the draw to using the elements -earth air fire water wood metal- in my floral design work is effortless. The infinite beauty, variety and delight aroused when using these organic materials is rich. The elements are a language and expression both elegant and eco-friendly.
Working in the studio with flowers and foliage -their unique shapes, textures, colors and perfumes- "tell me what to do with them". There is no imposition. Whatever happens in the vase, when I stand back with a sense of completion, I see how the flowers and foliage have influenced the design.
We compost all living material. We re-cycle everything. We use the cardboard boxes and cartons of vases to pack bouquets for delivery. The studio is cooled naturally with open windows and low level air conditioners when needed. All tools and buckets are cleaned and sanitized with natural products.
We do not use floral foam, plastic or chemicals.
We encourage and educate for using in-season native flowers and foliage cultivated by local growers who do not use pesticides. As much as possible, we purchase from growers in the United States. We harvest bark, vines, mosses, berries and grasses from private land in Carlisle and an island off the Maine coast.
After their wedding, many couples give flower arrangements to their guests. When this does not occur, we pick them up. Flowers that are still fresh are bunched and delivered the next day to local women’s shelters and hospitals. Vases are recycled for future use.
It is my intention in working with our clients that between us, precious little is wasted. |
