Flora and Fauna

20/06/2024

GIFT BOUQUETS FOR TEACHERS

It's that time of year again..... crazy how fast the academic year goes, isn't it?

I am in awe of teachers, to be honest.....I can't manage to organise my boys to put their shoes on in an orderly fashion, let alone organise a whole group of them into an organised activity!!!

Thanking them for their efforts and impact they have on our small humans is something I am glad I can help other parents do.

If you are looking for a fresh bouquet or dried arrangements for the end of term " thank yous," please let me know by the 10th of July.

Placing a pre-order helps me allocate and order in the correct amount of stock.....this helps me reduce waste and the overall cost of the flowers to my customers. 😘









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16/06/2024

HAPPY FATHERS DAY.

Some of you may know my husband; Dean.... but for those of you who don't, I thought today would be a wonderful time to tell you what an absolute beauty this man is.....

Raising three boys away from my immediate family has been hard at times..... he has had to be my village..... and help me keep my sanity... while I have been a stay at home mum.

He is responsible, fun, gentle, and strong..... he encourages me and the kids to follow our dreams and interests daily.abd is an all round top bloke.

You can often find him lugging about buckets of flowers, helping my deliver bouquets, or just taking care of the kids while I do my thing. Needles to say I couldn't do the flowers without him.

13/06/2024

POST HOLIDAY SLUMP.

It's been a struggle to get back on with reality this week..... my head is just not in the game. 🥴

I have finally completed the 342657 loads of laundry, washed; but obviously not put away🤣

I have however, missed emails and been late on the school run three out of four days......

Tomorrow is, however, a work day to get ready for a market in the Jewellery Quater on saturday with

Anyone else struggle with motivation after they have had a week or two off?

10/06/2024

FOR HANNAH AND JOE.

Maybe the most laid-back couple ever.... a complete dream to provide wedding party flowers for.

These two approached me last min to supply the bridal and groom's party flowers for their wedding day in Birmingham for the May Bank Holiday weekend.

Loving the relaxed and luxurious look, we used localy grown flowers and foliage to create a relaxed and elegant bridal bouquet and 6 bridesmaids bouquetst along with 10 buttonholes.

I think their smiles say it all in this great image, captured by .

Massive congratulations to these two. ❤️

03/06/2024

CORNWALL

If you have followed me for a while, you will know how much this place means to me....from childhood holidays to naming my buisness after a tourist flyer wrote a detailed article about the " Flora and Fauna " of the dues being of special scientific interest.

🌞🌊🌸

holiday

12/05/2024

KINGS HEATH ARTISAN

My second stint at this wonderful, friendly market..... and it did not disappoint...... with wonderful traders, chatty shoppers, and the glorious, glorious sunshine.....I have had a wonderful day. Thank you for having me back. X

10/05/2024

FRIDAY🌞

I have been totally rubbish at keeping up with my socials of late..... and I am going to take two days next week to get ahead of myself for sure....😂

Anyway, in other news.....its been a warm one, hasn't it?

I have been busy preparing myself, for this Sunday...... come and have a nose at some amazing local artisans and makers on York Road ( next to the Hare and Hounds) on Sunday 10am-3pm.

21/04/2024

RANUNCULUS

A firm favourite for late spring brides, as an alternative to roses!... I do love these beauts at this time of year.... with their dense petal formation, they look so luxurious.

Not just great for wedding flowers, you will always find these in my gift bouquets at this time of year.

17/04/2024

LEARNING

Just having a clear out of my flower book collection, and I've realised I've had some of these since I was a teenager. Having a flick through really did highlight how much has changed in floristry since my first book purchase at a car boot sale many moons ago.

Also nestled in there is the foam free floristry "bible" that I brought about 4 years ago.....marking my move into more sustainable ideas and methods.

I have mentioned before that floristry is ever changing, and keeping me on my toes....I love to look at how time change fashion and interiors.... alongside some of the more traditional books that were recommended reading during my tranning are visually stunning books buy people in the industry I admire greatly..... I don't think I'll ever let any of this collection go....in fact I plan to add to it.

14/04/2024

MARKET DAY

If you have seen my stories you will know exactly were I am today....

I'm in Kings Heath Artisan Market..... out is the sunshine talking all things floral to passers by.....

12/04/2024

KINGS HEATH ARTISAN MARKET

I've been busy this week getting my market stock all ready for the weekend..... after trying my hand a few markets over the festive season and absolutely loving it, I now can not wait till this Sunday at

I will be there with a host of other talented artists and makers to sell some dry wreaths and gifts, along with a selection of localy grown fresh spring blooms.

The weather is set to be dry and bright 🤞 so there is simply no excuses.

10/04/2024

SOCIAL MEDIA

I would like to talk honestly about social media pressure and expectations as a small creative business owner.....

We live in an age we're we all consume so much visual and written content that sometimes the pressure to keep coming up with new posts can feel a bit daunting..... particularly in an industry awash with stunning images and seemingly packed diary's....

But, I have to accept that these grid posts are the shop windows of our time..... and take the time out to plan content monthly like I take time out to do any other admin task......

So if I go quite, please don't think that you can't contact me, I will always get back to you.....and am always, always happy to talk flowers.....I am just one person trying to cover all the bases involved with running a small buisness.

Photocredit@lavenderrosephotography





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07/04/2024

M.I.A

Hey..... Happy Sunday!!!!

You may or may not have noticed I have been a quiet of late.

I had planned to have some downtime at the start of the year, and a change in my youngest nursery schedule meant that I had to take a little longer off than planned.....

But back at all things floral this week..... I'm kicking off with sorting out my dry flower bits for upcoming spring markets.

18/02/2024

MOTHERS DAY PRE ORDER.

As Mother's Day is fast approaching, I thought I would pop on here and let you know that I am taking pre orders..... pre orders are important to small florist businesses. They help me plan my stock levels, ensuring no costly waste.... which means better value for money for my customers.

Mother's Day bunches will include all the British grown spring flora and foliage available to me at this time of the year and start at £45 deliverd within a 6 mile radius of Redditch.

DM, WhatsApp, or text on 07572959332 to place an order for delivery on Saturday 9th or Sunday 10th March..... alternatively, arrangements for collections can be made.





florist

Sustainable florist based in Redditch, Worcestershire.

01/02/2024

IMBOLC.....

Today and tomorrow, the celebration of Imbolc. This Part of the wheel of the year is between the winter solstice and the spring equinox...I think the literal translation means " in the belly" and is a celebration of the start of spring, new buds on twigs, the ground warming up, snowdrops poping up and the promise of spring....I have felt very much like I have been in autopilot trying to keep up with life this winter, and am very much looking forward to the renewing energy of spring.

I have been fascinated in the natural world for as long as I can remember from the love of just being outside to collecting rocks/gems and crystals..... I read books about hedgerow craft, natural navigation, foraging, and natural healing...... I even remember my mum taking me to the geology museum in London as birthday days out as a kid.

I plan on talking about this a bit more ....obviously I watch the seasons roll buy as spend time walking and obviously, this hugely influences my work as a florist.

31/01/2024

SNOWDROPS.....

For me, it is a sign of things yet to come.....spring, mainly.....after the quiet of January, seeing these little white flowers starting to pop up is a joy..... and a nudge to start getting my skates on with my mother's day plans🤣

28/01/2024

BACK TO WORK.

Hey all👋 it's been a while.....

Anyone who knows me personally will know that we have had a very hectic few months as a family and that I had planned just to "down tools" for January and just catch up with life.

But back to this week..... so watch this space.

Photocredit:

10/12/2023

ITS BEEN A BUSY ONE SO FAR.....

This week has been a super busy one for me..... fitting in wreath orders around a workshop and getting posted the last of my dry flower gifts.

I have taken the weekend to down tools a little, and spend some time with my boys.

I know I say it alot, but your support, purchases, likes, and kind words mean the world....its true what they say about each of these actions to a small independent seller, means the world, and makes a huge difference.

08/12/2023

WREATH WORKSHOP

Great night of wreath making with these lovely ladies .

Most of the ladies told me they were not very creative when they walked through the door, I beg to differ, dont you?

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26/11/2023

LAST CHANCE FOR CHRISTMAS 23.

Right, folks.... it really is time....its the last couple of days before I close the wreath orders for this year.

Thank you for the orders that I have received, it really means a lot that people choose to buy from me.

If you have placed an order please keep an eye out for a DM confirming your delivery slot.

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19/11/2023

FAREWELL FLOWERS

I struggle to find the right words and photos to and to advertise this side of my buisness, knowing that it is so sensitive e to many.

I find it a hugely fulfilling and rewarding part of floristry to provide a parting gift of flowers for people's family and loved ones..... I Like to create a fitting gesture by talking to the family a bit about the person they have lost and offering a bespoke and fitting arrangement to celebrate a life lived.

I am passionate about the service I provide in these circumstances, and am always honoured to be approached to provide maybe the most important gift we give to the people we love.

Photocredit:

12/11/2023

NEW FOLLOWERS

Once again, I seem to have had a flurry of new followers..... so I thought it was time for a little get to know me post.

So..... "hi" I'm Claire, a mum of three from Redditch, Worcestershire. After my middle boy was born I set about turning my floristry hobby into a buisness.....

I have been interested in floristry as long as I can remember.....I grew up in West Sussex, and my grandparents had a huge back garden in that my granny would pick flowers from and taught me the basics of cutting and conditioning. I also was a keen dancer, and took a corse in contemporary dance and related arts, so spent a lot of time visiting galleries ect, and appreciating art and design in my late teens .Growing up in Sussex means that the biggest major city to me was ....if you have ever visited this amazing place you will know that the whole city is buzzing with small businesses, boutiques and has a creative spirit on a scale unmatched by anywhere I have ever been since.

As a family we love the outdoors, hiking, camping, and sea swimming are our favourite things...... the wilder the place the happier we are.

After going back to collage and freelancing and volunteering for a number of years, I slowly started to take on my own customers and events in and around my life as a full-time mum.

Flora and Fauna represent all these parts of me my past and my present, I enjoy what I do and thrive on providing a service that is personal and friendly. I am now privileged enough to call Flora and Fauna my job.

Being part of people's life moments is the best

Photo credit

mum of boys

05/11/2023

CHRISTMAS WREATHS

Just like my bespoke bouquets, no two of my wreaths are ever the same.

I talk to my customers and get an idea of door colour and style, and ask for a little insite on style preference, and take it from there.

My order book is now open, and I am taking orders for delivery in the first two weeks of December.

If you are looking for a bespoke, luxury wreath with all the twiggy, scented Christmas wonder to welcome you home everytime you get to your front door this year, I am ya girl!!!

Get in contact via DM, WhatsApp, or even give us a ring on 07572959332

05/11/2023

CHRISTMAS WREATH PRE ORDER

It's that time of year again, we have all taken down the Halloween Dec's, and it's all go on the Christmas front.

And time for me to talk to you how ordering a Christmas wreath from me works. Just like my bouquets each one of my

29/10/2023

WEDDING FLOWERS

A lovely picture of Kate and her bridesmaids👰‍♀

I think we can all agree that white flowers with navy bridesmaid dresses is just a classic. We kept the maids flowers british gypsophilia and then pulled that detail through to the main bridal bouquet which we filled with localy grown dahlias,cosmos and hydrangea. We used British grown mixed eucalyptus for foliage which we also used the leaves of to create scented confetti for the guests to throw for that all-important photo opertunity.

I take on very few weddings a year due to the size of my buisness and my family commitments..... however I still have availability in September and October next year. And many dates in 2025.

Feel free to contact me for a no obligation chat about your plans for your big day

flowers

22/10/2023

SUNDAY

Sorry for the silence. If you watch my stories, you will have noticed that a couple of weeks ago, we added a new puppy to our household..... and in short it's been a bit a crazy few weeks....but life is beginning to settle down a little and return to some sort of normal.

I have also in that time, provided a few lovely bouquets ( photo) , provided some flowers for a wedding, and carried out some consultations for next years brides. And sold put my wreath making workshop

But I intend on a bit of a catch-up week this week with my inbox mainly.

Whatever your plan, enjoy your Sunday.

27/09/2023

IS IT JUST ME....

Wow, I've been super busy this last few weeks..... not with orders, really just all the extra bits that come with being self-employed. I literally feel like I could stay awake night and day and still not get done everything I need to done....surely, I can't be the only person who feels like this from time to time??

But it does mean that I have a super packed diary for the winter/festive season, and after last winters health set back I couldn't be more grateful for all of the opportunities that have come my way.

That being said, if you are reading this and are thinking you are looking for a fresh autum wreath over Halloween or Bonfire night, now would be a good time to get in touch.... as always I will be making to order.... and have limited availability

This also applies for Christmas wreaths. I have some pre orders that were placed in January, and with workshops and Christmas markets, I will only have time and availability for a limited amount of pre orders.

All wreaths are available for UK wide delivery.

Photo credit

24/09/2023

SUNDAY

This is the current state of my desk🫣

But I'm closing the door on this lot today and having a proper day off.

I have had so much to get ready ahead of me taking on some new shop space next week...and I'm still not quite done. But there is always tomorrow. 🤣

For now, I'm taking my Sunday to catch up with family, and hopefully get in rainy walk.

Wishing you all a restful Sunday. 💐

20/09/2023

WREATH BASE MAKING

I'm all in for wild looking wreath bases.... if you look at my dry flower wreaths I always leave at least half the base exposed.... the more wild and unruly the better.....I have over the years found some plants work amazingly at making just these type of wreath bases....Virginia creeper, and honeysuckle being among my faves.

Photo credit

17/09/2023

SLOW DOWN

So my feeds on my socials are full of people advertising all things Christmas before I have even had a chance to buy a pumpkin.🤣

I completely understand the need to plan ahead, I too have had to get ahead with my festive organisation and all the opportunities that it presents for my business. However, I do, so love this time of year, watching and feeling that autumnal sunshine and seasonal shift!🎃🍂🍁🕷🎃

I feel that the constant commercial pressure to make the most of the season ahead of us makes it hard to slow down and live in the present at times.

So today, you will find me going for a nice long walk with my camera in a jumper. Because as with all things, this part of the year will not last.