Presenting

13 It wasn't until I held her flowers in my hands that I recognized a transformation was occurring inside me. In that moment, it became clear to me that this was what I was supposed to do with my life. Floristry was the perfect creative outlet for me. I then got a job at a retail shop for three years before breaking off on my own. As my passion grew, I submerged myself into all things floral design. I earned certifications from the Michigan Floral Association [now the Great Lakes Floral Association] and the American Institute of Floral Designers, and I studied with numerous internationally recognized instructors. I spent the next several years honing my craft, building a floral studio business, collaborating with artists around the world and teaching others how to relish every moment with the fine art of floral design. FR: What inspired you to start teaching? SM: ere came a point when I realized that my favorite thing to do is identify "pain points" that we have in our profession, test ideas to solve them and then report my findings. I found myself spending a lot of time answering questions in forums and helping other designers with design issues, which, naturally, led to teaching. I also reached out to an important mentor of mine, Holly Chapple, and told her about my desire to share in this way. She helped me a great deal; I like to say that I "borrowed confidence" from her. Stepping out in front of people and offering your approach is intimidating, but it was helpful to have her cheering me on. FR: Why do you enjoy teaching and mentoring others? SM: When I found and fell in love with floral design, I sensed that the culture of floristry—in this country, at least—was ripe for a renaissance. Florists were largely seen as service providers who reacted to specific requests from their clients rather than as artists with unique points of view. at has changed quite a bit, but I am still drawn to encouraging florists to explore their creativity, make the work that they want to see in the world and draw in a client base that wants what they create. I feel that my role is to offer ideas that encourage creative exploration and enable florists to make innovative, relevant work that is also environmentally responsible. It's my hope that this approach helps to elevate the profession and push floristry further forward. FR: What subject or technique do you love to teach the most? SM: Wearables and installations; these two segments allow for so much creativity and play. I also love that the techniques and concepts involved in those can apply to every other aspect of floristry. ey encourage curiosity, innovation and problem solving. FR: Where can people take your classes? SM: I offer online courses, and I teach workshops all over the world, for both beginning and experienced floral designers. I am excited to reopen my studio in the near future so that I will be able to offer in-person classes more often. FR: From what sources do you derive inspiration? SM: Nature is my inspiration, and my love for it drives me to want to increase awareness around sustainability in the practice of floristry and to make advancements toward more responsible design applications. FR: What excites you most about floral design today? SM: Focusing on the principles of floral design. I enjoy floral designs in which each flower is allowed to shine to its fullest potential—versus mass designs. FR: What advice do you have for floral designers just starting in the industry? SM: Be patient with yourself and allow time to explore the medium and learn. Find an aesthetic that speaks to you most, and educate yourself about it and practice it. Hone your craft. FR: Do you have a favorite flower? SM: ere are so many, but I have a special connection to passion flowers [Passiflora]. ey were the first flowers that stopped me in my tracks. I love how different and distinctive they are; it's like they are from a different world. FR: What do your plans for the future include? SM: I hope to collaborate on product design, developing sustainable mechanics for florists.

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