from the Dutch Masters class

Berkeley, California

On the road to the motherland of flowers (and food for that matter) we anticipated nothing less than a bombshell of a class - gorgeous ranunculus from Santa Clarita, incredible local fronds and foliage, food from the master of vegetarian delights and the most perfect, fragrant preserves studio to teach in...

So many thank you's to June Taylor of June Taylor Preserves for so graciously letting us come and use her spotless studio-kitchen, and for teaching me something new about flower arranging. June's art is evident in everything she touches from her meticulously spirited fruit concoctions to the meditative arrangements of rocks and natural ephemera kicking around her shop and studio. We feel so lucky to have a new friend in her, and bags of candied orange peels and rose geranium syrup.

And of course so much gratitude for the catalyst of this project, the wonderous Heidi Swanson of 101 Cookbooks. We are totally spoiled now - if only all our classes could start with a light lunch of buttermild farrow salad with fresh herbs and radishes and splitpea & goatcheese crostini...I hope and feel our collaborations with Heidi have just begun...

AND lastly here's to the amazing group of students who brought with them all sorts of different ideas about color, form, texture and flowers -- see for yourself...

Please take a look at all the arrangements and more photos from the class here on our flickr page!

NEW CLASS: Benefit for Japan Relief Effort

[Japanese Magnolia from our recent trip to San Fransisco where these trees are blooming all over the city.]

April 3rd we'll be hosting a special flower class in which all proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross.

Did you know that the first week of April is the best week of the year for flowers? Non-negotiable! Get with it! By April 3rd we'll be inundated with flowering branches - think spirea, dogwood, and cherry. Add to that all the incredible bulb flowers; fritillaria, hyacinth, the most unusual tulips, plus the strongest sweet pea, the showiest local ranunculus, and the last good anemones of the season. Please consider signing up to learn the basics of the floral arts, celebrate the season, make a beautiful spring masterpiece, and join us in a small gesture of solidarity.

Spring Flowers Workshop

Benefit for Japan Relief Effort
Sunday, April 3

1:00-4:00pm

$250

The class will take place in the Saipua studio at 147 Van Dyke Street in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

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All classes are limited to 10 students, unless otherwise noted.

Clippers will be provided and are a gift to take with you.

Of course, class will finish with a refreshments.

Payments accepted through paypal.

To sign up or ask questions email us at hello.flower.school@gmail.com

CALI

We've been up and down the coast of the golden state sharing these amazing ranunculus with you. Here's just one from our first LA class. We're off to set up for our class in Berkeley today at June's beautiful store and studio and Heidi is cooking up some recipes from here new book for lunch!

Can't wait!

We'll have tons of photos to share with you very soon form all three of these awesome classes.

LA Looks

Thanks a million times to Jamie and Jen of Ban.do for giving us

their rad studio and being hilarious and kind and accommodating

and thanks to Kristin from BAKELAB for bringing us the best coconut cake in the world

We have been driving a lot
We have been drinking a lot of coffee
We have been planning more classes and there are lots more pictures from California coming soon...

Willem Van Aelst

While browsing inspiration for this Sunday's Dutch Masters class I find myself coming back again, and again to the lavish, moody & sinuous paintings of Willem Van Aelst.

We've had a last minute cancellation for this class. Would anyone like to sign up for the last spot? Email us to register hello.flower.school@gmail.com.