It is with deep sadness that we announce that Jane Packer has passed away.
Noted International florist and author, Jane championed the vision that flowers are as exciting as fashion and interior design, but entirely more accessible. Her passion for flowers and inspiration taken directly from nature has contributed greatly to the florticulture industry.
Jane’s legacy is an international business – London – Tokyo – New York -Seoul – Hong Kong, and despite the worst recession in living memory, the business has gone from strength to strength. In the UK alone, the recent launch of the acclaimed JANE PACKER fragrance range, the expansion of the JANE PACKER on-line flower shop, and the opening of our latest store in association with John Lewis on London’s Oxford Street, are all testimony to the potency of the JANE PACKER philosophy and brand.
Jane has been busy building a strong creativeteamwho succeed her, led by her husband, Co-Founder and CEO Gary Wallis
To learn more Jane and her contribution to the floral design industry please see
Easter and the holidays that are related to it are moveable feasts, in that they do not fall on a fixed date in the Gregorian or Julian calendars (both of which follow the cycle of the sun and the seasons).
In Western Christianity, using the Gregorian calendar, Easter always falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25, inclusively. The following day, Easter Monday, is a legal holiday in many countries with predominantly Christian traditions.
Eastern Christianity bases its calculations on the Julian Calendar. Due to the 13 day difference between the calendars between 1900 and 2099, March 21 corresponds, during the 21st century, to the 3rd of April in the Gregorian Calendar. Easter therefore varies between April 4 and May 8 on the Gregorian calendar (The Julian calendar is no longer used as the civil calendar of the countries where Eastern Christian traditions predominate). Among the Oriental Orthodox some churches have changed from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar and the date for Easter as for other fixed and moveable feasts is the same as in the Western church.
But, this year, Sunday, April 24th is Easter for Protestants, Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians alike!
For information on how the Easter Bunny got involved….! Please see : wikipedia.org.
We discovered this nifty innovator in the Sept/Oct Australian Vogue Living issue. Joost Bakker of Urban Crop provides Melburnians with living, breathing flowers and herbs planted in a nutrient-rich soil that is mostly organic waste. His bagged-in-soil beauties come with their root systems intact – they still have their life source with them – providing the recipients with clean air and nutrient- packed leaves. Bakker’s underlying message is to make cities worldwide work as crop sources. Currently, his product can be found in Melbourne’s bars, cafes, book and bike shops. His ultimate goal – deliver the message to the world!
Olivier Guigni’s recently released, inspiring book, Living Art (Scribners) is refreshing…. He shows how flowers can and should just fit in our every day lives and not just reserved for extravagant occasions. One of my all time favorites (see below) has been the way Olivier uses huge tropical (and pliable) philodendron leaves to wrap flowers. Makes me imagine this is what a ‘flower-burrito’ would look like.
It is fitting that the forward is by Cathernine Deneuve because like her, Olivier’s soul and artistry exude a relevant, quiet elegance. Congratulations Olivier! Your tasteful and talent-filled book will surely find its rightful place, nestled in the shelves right next to other floral innovators – icons like Madderlake, Ronaldo Maia, Tage Anderson and Daniel Ost.
This story caught my eye in Floral Management magazine, March 2010.
Two shops separated by over 2800 miles share the same idea of giving back to the community during these tough times. Rose Garden Florist in Barnegat, NJ and Twigs in Yerington, NV each give credit for their unique idea to a Flower Chat forum discussion last year, but, each shop has customized their approach of instigating a “travelling kindness bouquet”.
Every month or so, each shop sends out an estimated 5 bouquets ranging in price from $40 to $50. The original destination is randomly chosen and will vary, whether it be a nursing home, or police station, or a bank, or a hospital. Attached is a card which reads, “ This is a Travelling Kindness Bouquet. Please enjoy these flowers for the next hour, then pass then on them to someone who could use a little joy along with this note.”
These floral gifts have paid off for both shops – both in community-building returns and financially. The monthly cost is substantially less than any print advertising available to either shop and is delivered directly to potential future customer
Two award winning designers from the UK, Sarah Horne and Jo Jarvis, share a vision of floral art that begins with a love of nature and moves quickly outside the box with their gorgeous new book, “ Botanical Art: For Your Eyes Only”. An article in Flower& magazine, August 2010 showcases their beautifully printed, oversize hardcover volume which includes creations ranging from home décor and gifts to wearable flower art. Visit www.3-5-8productions.co.uk to learn more!
According to a report released last year by the Center of Small Business at California Star University-Sacramento, California’s cut-flower industry has an annual impact of nearly 10.3 billion on the state, returning 92 cents of every dollar earned back into the California economy!
According to the study, cut flower growers in CA employ about 7500 people. Overall, the state’s floral industry employs almost 15,000 people while generating billions in economic activity.
The research indicates that the expenditures of growers, wholesalers retailer and others affiliated with the industry create a ripple economy effect generating the equivalent of 121,950 full time jobs in CA , with a total of 3.3 billion in gross wages. The report states, that without these jobs, number of unemployed in CA could rise as much as 12.5 percent.
The report points out the California’s cut flower industry’s achievements are particularly impressive due to the aggressive pricing of imports from other countries and wholesaler/retailer consolidation.
The full economic impact report and related facts can be found at www.ccfc.org.
Member Twig, www.twigboston.com has invited noted Santa Fe impressionist Joseph Breza to exhibit his remarkable work at their Charles St Location during the latter half of June 2010.
Joseph Breza is extremely accomplished, being exhibited and collected internationally. Breza is known for his use of color and bold brushstroke in brillant Impressionistic landscapes, garden still lifes and scenes from France, Italy, and New Mexico. Between 1984-1985, Joseph Breza studied under renowned artist Richard Goetz at the Art Students League, N.Y.
In His Own Words: “Each artist creates his own language in color. I consider color to be the foremost component of my painting. By laying down large fields and flattening them out in some areas, I can draw out strong planes of color from the image. I am always experimenting. Sometimes I lay down thin washes to catch the power of the idea more quickly. I like to observe the reflections on a pond in the Spring and Fall. Winter interests me because the snow creates big, abstract areas. The more I get into the art, the more depth I find. The simplest idea, like Cezanne’s apples, is sometimes the most incredible.”
Also on display will be beautiful flowers, unique gift products.
Grayson Handy is the creative director of New York’s Prudence Designs and Events, www.prudencedesigns.net.
He is the co-author of a gorgeous new designer book. Flowers for the Home,
Inspirations from the World Over by Prudence Designs.
Showcased are 100 simple and stylish floral arrangements for both everyday and special occasions that have been shaped by Handy’s worldwide travels. These floral designs are inspired by cultures and traditions from such far-flung places as China, the tropical rain forest, the English countryside, and the American South.
Congratulations to member Bloomsbury Flowers in London, UK, www.bloomsburyflowers.co.uk! Their elegantly rustic display fetched a Silver Medal at the Chelsea Flowers Show this month!!
It is with deep sadness that we announce that Jane Packer has passed away.
