Workshop with Phil Rulloda

Renowned florist guru--Phil Rulloda shared his love of the florist industry and poetry by sharing with 25 students at a recent workshop in Charlottesville, Virginia. Phil traveled to Virginia from his home in California where he has a school of floral design. He rarely travels anymore, so it was a great opportunity to learn from him.

This two-day Advanced Floral Design class was filled to capacity where people traveled anywhere from Louisiana to Pennsylvania and everywhere in-between. We learned weaving techniques with foliage, even learned how to make birds from hala leaves. That took some time to learn! Rosettes made from galax leaves and larger rosettes made from aspidistra leaves. Designing with tropical flowers and beautiful foliage intensified the beauty of great design.

Phil delivered beautiful recited poetry and his passion for flowers. It was so encouraging to meet someone who loves this industry and has an intense passion to pass on his knowledge. He feels that his legacy is furthering the industry by teaching the care and design of flowers as an art.

Who wouldn't want this gorgeous design with a dozen roses? The weaving of the "cone" for each flower is stunning, isn't it? Ahhh, the beauty!

Hitomi Gilliam--Awesome Floral Artist

What an experience....two days closely working with Hitomi Gilliam. I had been looking forward to this for weeks. I was sick, but made sure I got there! Hitomi was awarded Gold Medalist at World Cup in Singapore this year. Well, it's no wonder. She's been one of my favorite designers for years and she lived up to my expectations (not that she has to live up to mine!).

Hitomi was serious about the industry; graceful in her design; helpful in teaching technique; and, powerful in her presentation. Teleflora sponsored her to come to our area and do a wedding show. She had helpers for two days as we constructed the pieces to show. Two of us were Capital Cup winners in '08 and another had taken a class with her in the past. Setting out for Maryland, I arrived at a local floral purveyor at 8:30 a.m. and worked until 7 p.m. the first night. Making bridal bouquet handles and constructing large armatures, we put to use our own ideas and learned new techniques and heard her share about the industry and her vision.

The second day we arrived again at 8:00 and worked hard until the culmunation resulting in a show that delighted everyone who attended. We had a packed house and florists in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia area we amazed at the wealth of knowledge and stunning designs she presented.

It was such a great experience.

Wedding show at Waterford

Well, Bergeron's will be participating in the wedding show at the Waterford in Springfield, Virginia on the 28th of September. We're excited! This is the first big show we've done in several years. Bergeron's had exclusively shown only at the Macy's wedding shows for the past five years.

We will be the exclusive florist for the fashion show, which provides us great opportunities to show off our fabulous bouquets. I'll post the pictures after the show. Tune back in!