Speckled Hen Floral

07/18/2024

Anyone else walking around with a soundtrack in their head? Me! Today it was LMAFO Party Rock-ers in the house tonight…🎶 Absolutely appropriate given the color palette of flowers for today's market bouquets. They look like the best kind of party I want to be at and full of surprises.
As always, everythjng came from my field with the lisianthus making her debut- I thought she'd be the star but fresh and bubbly gypsophilia walked in and the flower party really took off😂

Gypsophila is definitely having her moment in large scale floral designs. I used to consider it kind of an old-fogey of floristry but now admit I'm loving it paired within a garden aesthetic.

Believe it or not, I'm only growing one gypsophila plant this year (since I need convincing) I ordered it this season from and it's massive while putting out tons of branches but also taking up about 8 sq ft in the garden. Although it’s considered a 1-and-done, its’ branches bloom over 4-6 weeks so thats okay. I've decided to plant a second one next season.
Looks like this bubbly little party-starter will be around for a while🥳
Pick up a bouquet and other party food from Helena’s Cafe Creperie in Carlisle, PA…they take special orders for desserts and a wide range of other foods - just give them a call- Matt will take care of you.

07/05/2024

Crowd-favorite Lisianthus is gearing up for time in the spotlight. I successfully started 1/2 tray of Arena seeds in February (tricky little guys). My safety net was with this bloom-group 1 Echo mix.
These first short stems are cut so the rest of the spray blooms. Do you like the bud vases? I made them several years ago and my friend, fired them in his wood kiln (His work is rustic and local. Check him out.

06/25/2024

06/14/2024

Art on the Farm event is coming June 22nd and I’ll be there helping attendees make floral rings along with other artists.

06/05/2024

Speckled Hen Floral will be on site for make-and-take floral art rings to wear during this immersive event.

Come get your art on, on the farm!
You are invited to Art on the Farm at Talking Breads Saturday June 22 !
This award winning collaboration celebrating locally sourced food products and talented local artists benefits both Carlisle Arts Learning Center and Farmers on the Square
Click here for tickets: https://www.carlislearts.org/events/art-on-the-farm-2024

06/01/2024

I think my favorite part of making bridal bouquets is vicariously living in the exuberance of love, commitment, and possibilities. These beautiful flowers are a promise, sealed with a kiss in this magical mix. Congratulations Stephanie and Brandon!

Photography:
Florals:
Hair: .by.jiana
Makeup:
Tan: .tanning

05/31/2024

Extra wedding flowers combined with my garden goodies, make for a lovely arrangement. Designers know to order more flowers for events since about 10% shipped flowers are unusable. So when there’s a few beauties left over, there’s nothing better than enjoying them at home. This allows me to gaze at a beautiful flower arrangement when there’s a sink full of dishes or in this typical case: engines on my dining table!!!
Ah, the compromise and acceptance within a marriage. His kart-racing hobby is expensive but then, so is my flower obsession along with my forays into various creative pursuits. We love and support each other, messes and all. Plus, I don’t really need a dining table anyways.

ps- that pewter water pitcher stays wonderful COLD and makes a fabulous vase maybe can find me a few more?

05/19/2024

Treat yourself to a fabulous local experience at Carrie Elliott Reese’s “Barn at 507” Pine Rd, Carlisle & her business: https://elliottreesewine.com/events.
Carrie has transformed her barn into an elegant space blending new and old to create an air of sophistication within a rustic setting. We attended her Yoga & Brunch featuring an abundance of food and relaxation.
Future events include wines and creative experiences. (See the list and purchase tickets on her website) Well worth a visit!

05/09/2024

Shop Earth Artisan & Outfitterthis Friday and Saturday for “Love Your Mother” event. Saturday- flower bouquets and make your own ring. See you there!! (located behind CALC/Carlisle Arts and Learning)

05/09/2024

Thurs-SunHelena's Chocolate Cafe & Creperie Flowers & Drinks

Fri-Sun Kings Gap Store LLC. Flowers and Sweets

Saturday Pomfret St Block Party Earth Artisan & Outfitter11:30-4:00 Make Flower Rings for Mom and Bouquets.

05/09/2024

05/07/2024

Boxed and ready to deliver to honor the time and dedication sports parents make to support their kids. In this case, Mom’s of graduating CV Baseball players👏👏

05/07/2024

A few black and white prom orders last week and even more coming Friday.

05/03/2024

Garden bouquets Kings Gap Store LLC (lupine, peony, iris, Solomon’s seal, Alstromeria). Be sure to check out their Mother’s Day meal special paired with flowers for next weekend too!

05/03/2024

Similar precious Mother’s Day portraits can be yours with Carlisle photographer, Heather Ann Photography, LLC. and a little floral help from yours truly😊. Check out Heather’s page and book her for one of your special events and moments in life!

04/19/2024

Some folks don’t like droopy tulips - preferring them to stand straight. Me, I love droopy, curvy, nodding tulips. They have personality, grace, & playfulness and just like children, I love their quirky strength. I simply use design to enhance those features. Let’s hear it for Droopy!

04/19/2024

Yes, they smell AH-MAZING…purchase now Kings Gap Store LLC & Helena's Chocolate Cafe & Creperie

04/18/2024

Hotels featuring fresh flowers warms my heart. The thing I love about creating custom floral arrangements is how they transform space from ho-hum to ahhhh😍. It was my pleasure to create these pieces for during their fully-booked Spring Car Show weekend .
These floral arrangements reflect the hotel theme: 1794 Whiskey Rebellion restaurant & hotel while adding a splash of spring.
(Materials foraged and grown by SpeckledHen Floral)

04/17/2024

Peonies aren’t blooming yet but these graceful peony tulips sure are. Both long-lasting & huge, they’ll get you rethinking the name “Tulip”. Buy yours Thursday morning Helena's Chocolate Cafe & Creperie

04/12/2024

Tulips are in full bloom including the stunning parrot, peony & giant emperor varieties. These favorite signature pinks are swoon-worthy😍. Buy locally at Kings Gap Store LLC and Helena's Chocolate Cafe & Creperie.

04/01/2024

Prom orders are open! We are 4 weeks from Cumberland Valley/Boiling Springs and 5 weeks out from Carlisle proms...which coincides with Mother's Day weekend - the busiest floral time of year!! Even if you don't have confirmation on a dress color, you can still reserve a slot for me to create your florals*. I make a limited quantity each weekend. Please visit www.speckledhenfloral.com to submit an order form, message, or text me of your interest in reserving your florals.

Speckled Hen Floral is a micro flower farm and floral design studio in Dickinson Township, Carlisle.

*note: if you want to stand out from the crowd, be sure to tell me you want to have something beyond the ordinary. I want to add some avant-garde and contemporary styles to my portfolio such as circular boutonnière, lapel florals, shoulder florals, floral headpiece. Such items are discounted as you are doing me a style favor.

I love all the tiny bits of precious natural elements that go into these miniature arrangements.  As a former teacher, I love how many of my customers buy their first flowers attending a dance and making their date feels special with a wearable floral gift to commemorate the occasion. 

03/28/2024

Limited edition, Easter centerpieces joyfully crafted to capture the miracle of rebirth with a nest of eggs sheltered among the flowers.
At the moment, I have one left for order which I might be tempted to keep for myself.

Materials: ceramic serving bowl, Brownies Tulip, Hellebore, Astrantia, curly willow, flowering branches, Sahara Spray Rose, Freesia, Podacarpus.

03/10/2024

Every day I get to create with flowers is a wonderful day that lights up my creative soul.
These blooms arrived as a designer test box from . My instructions were simple: make a bridal bouquet and a boutonniere, and document the process. Oh what fun!
Assignment complete. So I dismantled the bouquet and rearranged the blooms using a nesting technique that piqued my interest. Photos and lighting always take more time than anticipated but, hey, it’s all a process.
I hope you enjoy something new today too.

02/23/2024

We all have an origin story of how we got to be in pursuit of passion or purpose- that thing that lights you up so much that you can’t help but let it shine onto everything you do.

I’m invariably asked how I came to start Speckled Hen Floral Design and there’s no short answer. It’s really a multitude of coalescing points that make me who I am. In a way, it’s like building a house. Let me explain:

My foundation came first, my natural creativity and curiosity poured into an art degree, teaching, gardening, painting, sculpture, and pottery.
Then came the walls and roof in the form of obligations, family crisis, my father’s passing, my friends passing. All which made it painfully obvious I needed a redesign.
But then, the windows arrived, providing views of possibilities and options such as requests for custom art, bouquets, and wedding florals.
Lastly, the doors flung open in pursuit of a business, a flower farming course thru , a mentorship with ,style shoots, and workshop with .indigo_ plus countless other community and flower-relationships sprouting along the way.
Now, my “house” is more like a glass conservatory, bathed in light, full of plants, flowers, art, and people who bring me joy. Best of all, I’ve found my passion and purpose growing seasonal flowers and designing wedding florals.
I hope it shows.
I’d love to meet you (especially if you’ love art).
There’s plenty of room.

01/29/2024

Flowers are blooming indoors for winter paint-parties!
hosted friends for creative event and woah! Did the talent shine with this group🎨!

Paint party slots are still available for February and March before operations shift back to seasonal flower production and weddings.

01/25/2024

🥰 Today’s themed wedding shoot was just brimming with talent and goes to show what a great team of vendors can accomplish. I’m looking forward to the professional photos too!

10/29/2023

Bring several Creatives together and beautiful things like this happen😍

10/20/2023

Yes there’s “a day” for everything and tomorrow is gift-giving Sweetest Day- why? Just Because.
Just because giving creates smiles.
Just because growing & sharing flowers is my love language. Just because the seasons are changing. Just because it’s a sweet thing to do. Pass it on.🥰

10/11/2023

By special request to post my floral jewelry (rosebud rings and celosia earrings) worn during the Martini Art Auction . Here you go 😉 special thanks also to who continues to push the boundaries of deconstructed flowers.