Poppy
Starting my 9th year as owning my own store, Smart Flowers in Swift Current, SK…I achieved my Certified Floral Design (CFD) designation after testing with the American Institute of Floral Design (AIFD) in Miami in June of 2012. That same year I also became a member of the Canadian Professional Floral Design Association and of NeoFlora after designing in Vancouver. I passed my Professional Floral Design Evaluation at the AIFD Symposium in Las Vegas July 2013 and was inducted into this prestigious association July 2014 in Chicago. In October of 2014 I was chosen out of over 150 applicants to be 1 of 5 floral designers to compete for the Canadian Florist Magazine “Inspired Design” contest and walked away with the title “Inspired Designer LIVE 2014”. Spring 2015 I passed the written exam for the Canadian Academy of Floral Art (CAFA) & the design test later that summer and in April 2016 will be inducted into CAFA. I love to learn & be inspired by other artists and love to share my knowledge of floral design with my staff, customers & the community.
Poppy Parsons AIFD CFD CAFA
2014 Inspired Designer “LIVE”
Smart Flowers
Fresh Flowers. Fresh Ideas.
337 Central N, Swift Current,SK
306-773-2941
Linda Rambaud
Linda Rambaud is passionate about nature and art, she found the perfect combination of her two loves by becoming a floral designer. Linda started her background with a horticultural degree at ESA (Superior School of Agriculture) in Angers, France. This gave her a strong knowledge about flowers and plants. She then completed a masters degree in management and commercialisation in the green industry. Then Linda achieved a master degree in Floral design in the prestigious French school “La Piverdiere” in Angers- France.
For over 15 years, Linda has created all kinds of designs and floral arrangements, for all occasions and events. Linda worked for some very talented florists who are recognized in the French Industry, such as Jean Tessier in Nantes, France and Celine Dussaule in Paris, France.
In 2010 Linda created her own business in France called Vegetal creation.
The company offers to carry authentic floral arrangements with an original European contemporary style made from flowers, natural or stabilized foliage and branches.
Others services include, bridal bouquets, floral decoration for weddings and original floral jewellery. Linda is a qualified and is a dynamic professional who is attentive to all requests to satisfy all demands from simple to fancy. It supports all projects by bringing together a harmonious and creative solution on floral design and jewellery.
Three years ago Linda decided to move to Canada to pursue an international career as a Floral designer for Flowers by Merle, one of the best florist in Edmonton, Alberta. Linda is very involved in the industry and her next project would be to create her own business in Canada.
Links:
FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/Vegetal-creation-_-linda-rambaud-448684281904142/
MARIAGES.NET : https://www.mariages.net/fleurs-mariage/linda-rambaud–e40575
LINKED IN : https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-rambaud-90815955
Paul Jaras AIFD
Paul combines a lifelong interest in art and design, studies in Architecture, Fine Art and Clothing Design with a career in the floral industry that spans more than 25 years. He has gained a wealth of knowledge and a mastery of skills that encompass all areas of the retail flower trade. Paul is an enthusiastic teacher, presenter and workshop facilitator of creative floral design. He has competed internationally and is a Canadian national award winner. His natural sense of aesthetic and his keen eye for design have also lead to work as a freelance stylist for interior and lifestyle magazines.
Paul was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers in 2000 and has served in a leadership role on both the Northwest Regional and National Boards of Directors. In 2013 he became an AIFD Certified Evaluator/Judge and evaluated in the PFDE process of 2015. He is ever-ready to share his tireless imagination, experience and love of creative floral art and is honoured to compete with fellow designers in the Maple Leaf Cup.
Iris Salmon
Iris Salmon AIFD/ CFD/ Certified Floral Evaluator Judge
Canadian born, Iris is an award winning designer and Floral Educator with over 35 years of experience in the Canadian floral industry.
Iris began her journey with flowers in 1976 working in a flower shop after school, over the years she has worked in some of Edmonton’s most prestigious floral shops. In 1978 Iris arranged flowers that were presented to the Queen of England during The Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Alberta.
Inducted into AIFD (The American Institute Of Floral Designers) in 2012, Iris also received her certification as AIFD Floral Evaluator Judge in 2013, permitting her to judge anywhere in the world.
Currently Iris is the Floral Educator and Retail Operations Manager for one of the largest floral franchise groups in Canada, she is committed to strengthening the floral industry through education, service and design excellence.
Iris is driven and passionate about the floral industry, she enjoys teaching and inspiring designers to follow their dreams.
Recent projects Iris has worked on in 2015:
Art In Bloom
Home For The Holidays
The American Lily Association
Margaret-Ann
I began working with flowers in 2006, part-time in a local family-owned floral shop while finishing a BSc in Biology. Captured by the creative and artistic components of floral design, a career began to develop and emerge in this industry. Although I have maintained a career in biological sciences in an entomological lab, I was also able to pursue a career in floral design as well working with two local flower shops over the course of 7 years. Just last year I decided that the only way to have what I truly wanted, my own shop, was to pursue that dream.
Last year, my best and childhood friend went all-in and made everything official when we created Two Buds Floral Artistry. Focusing currently on wedding and special event florals, myself and Sam have been able to grow the business and participate in many local events that have made the floral industry shine. Last year we participated in Heather de Kok’s Edmonton Art in Bloom as well as the Junior League of Edmonton’s Homes for the Holidays. The best part of these events is having the creative freedom to really showcase our abilities with design and creating floral art.
I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to participate in the Maple Leaf Cup – where florists get to show the community just how awesome and inspiring floral design can be. 2016 will be an exciting year, as my new business continues to grow and I look forward to the experience of being surrounded by florists with the same passion as I have about floral design!
Jennifer David
Jennifer David has always been in touch with her creative side. While only a hobby a short time ago it’s hard to imagine she ever did anything else.
After a 15 year career in the disability management insurance field she wanted a change, something to inspire her, challenge her and express herself. In 2011, she quit her job, enrolled in a floral design course at Metro Continuing Education in Edmonton, AB. It was there that she discovered an interest in the industry and that she had a natural talent for floral design. She found her passion and never looked back.
Jennifer started her floral career working with other florists during busy holidays, such as Valentines Day and Mothers Day. From there, she worked as a wedding floral designer and brought the visions of brides to life. Wanting to expand her knowledge and portfolio she began working as a designer in a busy flower shop doing everyday arrangements, custom pieces, weddings and sympathy tributes.
Jennifer has a strong attention to detail and a great eye for colour and texture. Through flowers Jennifer creates beautiful expressions of emotions for her clients. Many of her designs have become popular pieces that are the shops “must have” designs.
She currently designs at Flowers on 50th in Edmonton, AB, where they turn flowers into works of art.
Liseann Foreman
Liseann realized her love for all things blooming while digging alongside her family in the garden as a child. Drawn to the visual arts, she often used floral motifs as a source of inspiration. She started pursuing special-event florals in her teenage years, and a hobby grew into a career. Her background in arts and psychology gives her insight into creating personalized florals. Liseann received her accreditation from The Canadian Institute of Floral Design (CIFD) in 2015. Drawing on Victorian European design, she loves to focus on crafting unique wedding designs.
Christel Ferguson
Christel Ferguson is an Owner and floral designer at Flowers on 50th in Edmonton, Alberta.
Coming from a family of award winning artists, Christel has always wanted to find her medium. As soon as she stepped into a flower store in the spring of 1996 to assist with Mother’s Day preparation she hasn’t looked back!
Over the last 19 years, Christel has worked her way from manager to owner of Flowers on 50th.
Working closely with a variety of Florists learning the trade and using nature as her inspiration, Christel has developed her own style of design.
As a self described “Floral Artist” Christel believes this ever evolving industry is what drives her to work hard and create beautiful, unique floral arrangements for her clients.
On her travels around the world, she enjoys visiting local flower shops to see how their region influences their design.
She’s had the privilege to design for Lady Gaga, Anthony Hopkins and Pink while they were staying in Edmonton.
From private classes to lady’s groups at the flower shop, to providing floral arrangements for Homes for the Holidays and The Alberta Ballet Home and Garden Tours in Edmonton, Christel is always happy to get involved with floral demonstrations in her community.
Christel Ferguson
Flowers on 50th
Lea Romanowski
Lea Romanowski AIFD CAFA CAFD CFD a 30+ year in the floral industry, won her first FTD sponsored competition in 1984 at a local convention and was “Hooked!!!” Believing that being competitive helps keep a designer “On their toes creatively” she has won over 20+ awards in the past 15 years.
This includes local, provincial, industry magazines, 2009 CAFA Cup and a
International GALA Award for best dining table design in 2015. Lea has made and art and profit out of pushing the boundaries of design. Investing in education she became involved with Flowers Canada in the late 90’s after receiving her Canadian Accredited Floral Designer designation. She was then inducted into the American Institute of Floral Design in 2003, the following year into the Canadian Academy of Floral Art. Believing a designer should give back to their community, In 2003 Lea became a floral design instructor for Mount Royal University. She is sill mentoring students inside and outside the classroom. Her work has been featured in Canadian Florist, Floriology, Canadian Special Events, Wed LUX, Metro and Avenue magazines. She has served on both Flowers Canada Alberta and CAFA national boards. Lea is the owner of “Designing on the Edge” in Calgary, Alberta, a studio that specializes in innovative Design and Decor for Corporate Events, Themed Parties, Structural Custom Props and Weddings.
Always being asked to come up with “A fresh look” is a great challenge for
Lea. She has since been nicknamed “McGyver” the problem solver in Calgary’s event world. With over 1000 events and 2000 weddings under her belt including the 1988 Olympics, 2008 Juno’s and recently volunteering on Tournament of Roses parade floats she is excited for the next big design challenge.