Where did the idea for CHOF DIY originate? How did you find the courage to take the leap of faith to make your dreams, which were novel at the time, come to life?
WhenI first started with Colonial House of Flowers with a whopping zero floral arranging background, I wanted to create a space for the hundreds and thousands of behind the scenes flower shop realities that weren't being shown in the glossy communication of the times. I was learning step by step. And I wanted everyone to see the simplicity of making beautiful with practical steps and information. I wanted everyone to learn, too!
Back then, before the blogging and Instagram boom, I think people were doing a lot of guessing, or worse avoiding making things all together because it seemed intimidating. A few months in, with one phone call from Kate Winslett of Pottery Barn, we launched the idea of DIY posts which seems super not-to-original now. It sounded novel at the time! The collaboration went well and it helped us take the larger concept that we had for the business and transform it into what it is today.
Looking back, it wasn't really a leap of faith. It was a really organic journey. I was actively writing down directions from other people during the early days of CHOF. I was trying to learn as much as I could. We were hosting workshops and going to workshops. And, actively blogging. After a few months we partnered with Camp Makery and Pottery Barn on their recently launched Pottery Barn Weddings. I think their blog back then was called Inside & Out. That bought me enough excitement to keep taking photos and writing directions and transform our little shop into something great.
The first post from the Spring of 2013 featured my daughter Beatrice in a halo worn in friend's wedding (a friend who had taken a leap of faith by hiring me so early in my career). Be sure to visit DIY: GARDEN FRESH FLOWER GHIL HALO WITH POTTERY BARN with images from Haley Sheffield it will surely be the prettiest thing you've seen all day (ok, more like all week...) Excerpt below.
CGH
ADVICE
DIY: GARDEN FRESH FLOWER GIRL HALO
Materials:
Floral tape
Floral wire
Fresh flowers
Fresh greenery
Scissors
Step 1: Measure the circumference of your head, and cut your wire at double the length.
Step 2: Create a wire loop (crown) the size of your original measurement, and wrap the extra wire around to create a sturdy form.
Step 3: Place one of your flowers on the wire loop and use the floral tape to secure the stem to the wire.
Step 4: Add another piece behind your first one. Feel free to mix it up with flowers, a stem of berries or beautiful greenery. Use the floral tape to attach it to the wire, and repeat this step until the wire is completely covered.
Concept & Creation: Christy Hulsey | Photography: Haley Sheffield