A dried flower festive window display

This dried flower festive window is a pleasure to share. I was asked to create a dried flower window display for a local health food shop, Greens.

Green’s has been part of our local community for decades, I have been shopping there since I was a little girl. It holds a really special place within our hearts. It’s the one shop which makes you feel better by just being there. If you need a certain type of tea, vitamin or grain, you’ll find it!

A Christmas window was new territory for both of us. Caroline, the new owner, asked for something colourful and fun. Having never created a shop window either. It was important to me to work with and celebrate locally grown materials as much as possible.

There had been a strong harvest of strawflowers which I had been saving for weeks. The jewel like colours ideal for the colourful brief. Wanting to keep an eye on material costs foraged; sticks, bracken and woodland foliage  collected from the park, woods and footpaths made up the bulk of additional ingredients. I made sure I cut gently and didn’t take more than needed.

Over the doorway, I created a installation using moss, herbs (from the allotment and my Mum’s garden), eucalyptus from my garden, bracken and huge hydrangea heads, from another local flower shop. Colourful ribbons were added to bring colour and tie in the smaller winter sticks. Luckily I inherited a chicken wire wrapped board which secured everything in place and was fixed with a few screws.

The windows have a constant mix and flow of products. The festive sticks were designed to be moved around as needed. I didn’t want them to get in the way, especially at such a busy time of year.

They were created from a base of windfall sticks and moss. From there a mix of strawflowers, oranges, whimsical tendrils of bracken were wired in. To finish and keep them feeling fun, small decorative mushrooms and a mix of metal and glitter stars were added. The glitter stars were made with a mix of eco glitter and mod podge. As well as tiny bits of silk ribbon mainly added  because I like ribbon!

Another important factor in selecting dried and gathered materials was ensuring the displays looked good for the whole of December. Working with sustainable floristry practices means materials had to work out of water. Time was taken to consider how a leaf or flower would start to decay.

I checked these windows weekly. They faded but held their shape and structure beautifully. These festive winter floral sticks would make such unusual winter wedding displays. Just imagine them mixed with candle light…

Getting the opportunity to create without any restrictions, is invaluable for the development of my business. Each idea passes onto the next. I’m always so grateful for the opportunities that come my way. It was such a joy to make these winter floral displays, I hope I get to make some more!

If you would like to see more of the process – take a look at this reel I made.