the flowering branch

I am passionate about flowers…I love the shapes, the colors, and especially the scent. Flowers are a wonder of nature, perfect in every way. They also are the perfect expression of life – from seed we grow and bloom and in time, perish. A gift of flowers is an eternal gesture of love, friendship, remembrance, and beauty. The earliest known arrangements were of herbs and flowers found on the burial mounds of Neanderthal man in Iraq. Today we continue the use flowers in sympathy. Yet, flowers and floral arrangements bring color and beauty to life celebrations creating memorable events and honoring the celebrant.
I love to create arrangements for the celebrations of life. I also enjoy crafting other materials, particularly paper and fabric, into floral themed objects. I design hats and hair ornamentation with fabric flowers carefully crafted in the tradition of French silk flower makers and Japanese tsumami kanzashi. I have also been experimenting with paper-mache, lightweight metals, and beading to sculpt bridal tiaras with floral motifs.
My large scale paper flowers are used to create oversized arrangements on walls, ceilings, and as installation art for exhibitions, weddings, life celebrations or business events.
To compliment my arrangements, I offer an assortment of floral related gifts. Chocolates or an exquisite fragrance are a wonderful compliment to a romantic arrangement. To cheer and comfort an expectant mother, all-natural soaps, lotions, and massage oils are a fine choice to send with an arrangement.
Socially, I make the effort to source materials from fair-trade vendors, local farms, artisans, and wholesalers who specialize in regional purchasing and apply them to my product line. I also provide services and financial support to local charities that support and advocate for women and children in my community; organizations that provide aid and resources to farmers across the United States, South America and in Africa; and the Red Cross/Crescent.