About me - Raglan florist
I just love creating beautiful unique florals.
The possibilities for design are endless with the variety of gorgeous flowers, foliages and wild fillers we have available.
Here's a little about me and my design style ...
About the name
Hi, I'm Lorraine
I'm Wild About Eve
- the first ever woman
She was created loved
I love that she was treasured,
I love that she had purpose,
I love that she was sought out
She had a garden
I imagine it was stunningly beautiful
... and a little wild
Perhaps I am a romantic, I guess all florists are. Whatever your beginnings belief is, I hope it has a garden - beautifully wild, untamed, free to wander through and delight in. For me, it is Eden, meaning delight or pleasure. Its garden is endless in its display of vibrant colours, sweet aromas, beautiful blooms, greens, mossy branches, berries and pods of all shapes and textures. I am free to wonder here, to wander and forage here among the bees and the sunshine, and to create here - not just for my own pleasure, but for others too. It is Eve’s garden.
About my design style -
Left to go a little WILD, my creative imagination becomes spirited and impulsive. Almost always, the flowers, foliage, and any other plant material, push their own agenda, take on their own personalities, and decide how they want to be styled in a design. I often start with one thing in mind, and end up with a creation that’s different, but no less beautiful. I love that.
I love popping a little wild into my designs. If a design has structure, or a set form, I feel the need to set if off or set it apart with something that strays wildly and rebelliously. My designs are foliage rich. I love texture and curls. I love asymmetrical and open designs. This is my design personality.
About me
I'm one of the lucky ones.
My partner and fellow adventurer in life is Campbell. We have four amazing adult sons, and, along with their girls, I am loved.
Living in a boy family has its adventures and advantages; you end up being on their team, and they on yours. These five, crazy-unique boys, support and love me in everything, including my passion for floristry.
I am wild about floral design and styling. It fills me up. I think I’ve found my ‘thing’!
About my business
Sustainable floristry -
"I always say, Its not about me trying to protect the [environment}. Rather I am part of the [environment] protecting myself" (author unknown).
When we look after our beautiful world, it looks after us.
Much of what we have typically used in the floristry business has been dumped once the flowers have faded and drooped. The mechanics (like the floral foam), the plastic coated stem ties, the bright coloured dyed paper wraps, and so on, all add to the overwhelming rubbish that is not bio-degradable or takes a very long time to do so.
I am choosing to move towards sustainable floristry, and backwards to the way florists used to do beautiful floral designs without the use of the modern products that are harmful to our environment. I'm not fully there yet.
Here's where I am at though -
Paper wraps and tissues are bio-degradable, or reusable. Any ribbons used are reusable.
Stem wraps are re-usable and bio-degradable. Bamboo 'paper' towels used for wet-wrapping can be washed and used as household wipes.
Plastic bags used around the stem wraps to hold moisture in are bio-degradable, compostable bags, or re-usable freezer bags.
Floral foam - one of the biggest problems facing florists due to ease of use in design. I purchase floral foam that is bio-degradable and use only when absolutely necessary (Oasis Floral Foam biodegradable up to 75% in 1 year). As a more expensive product per block, the ongoing value of it outweighs its extra cost. Where possible, chicken wire, and old fashioned mechanics, for bowl designs is used..
Bouquet and stem ties are all jute. None of it is plastic coated.
Boxes and packaging used for couriering are recycled or reusable. If I receive a package full of bubble-wrap or something similar, I reuse it. If you receive a parcel from me with plastic packaging, I have not bought it specially.
Labels - I am working towards combining printed labels, so that there are fewer of them.
All the dried flower products that I use are naturally dried, without the use of synthetic dyes and preservatives. I choose flowers and foliage that are long lasting and hold their colour well. Occasionally, I will use a product that has been coloured with a plant-based dye.
More than 90% of the fresh flowers and foliage used in design are sourced locally or are NZ grown.
With all this, the expectation towards Sustainable Floristry Raglan that I have on myself, is to still produce designs that are beautiful to look at and receive, and that are less harmful to our precious earth.
Wild About Eve - Sustainable Floristry Raglan
